How Long Does it Take for Mold to Grow on Wet Drywall? Water Damage Drywall Ceiling & Drywall Repairs in Ventura, CA

Even minor water damage can leave severe stains and damage on drywall. In some cases only minor maintenance is needed. Other times you will need to completely remove the damaged drywall and replace it. Water damage can come from a leaking roof or broken plumbing within the wall. It could also be from old or cracked drains. Even the smallest of leaks can leave nasty yellow stains. Repairing drywall can take some work but once water damage has occurred, it is important to do so right away. McKay’s Painting shares the importance of drywall repair and how these repairs are done.

How Long Does it Take for Mold to Grow on Wet Drywall?

Once drywall has come in contact with water it is a matter of time before mold or mildew will begin to set in. In fact, mold spores can germinate after just 12 hours in some conditions. Drywall is extremely porous and traps moisture very easily. When it becomes damp or wet, settled spores can quickly become growing molds. Depending on the type of mold, it may colonize in 1 to 12 days. If you react quickly enough to the water exposure, you can use bleach or a mold and mildew detergent to slow down the mold or mildews development. Moisture trapped in the drywall or sheetrock also deteriorates it and after some time the drywall will begin to crack and break down.

How to Detect Mold Behind Drywall & Know Whether to Repair or Replace

One way to determine whether or not full replacement of the drywall is needed is to test to see if the sheetrock is still attached to the wall and that it is not bulging or sagging away from the wall or studs. If the drywall seems a bit loose but not in dire need of repair as of yet, you can tighten the drywall to the studs to buy you some more time. Make sure to screw the drywall at the strongest points first and slowly work your way to the affected areas. However, you may want to consider having the drywall removed and replaced it. You can also have a professional cut out the damaged portion of the drywall and replace it. Once the repaired or replaced drywall is secured to the wall studs, the next step is to prevent future water damage. This can be done in several ways from fixing the source of the water damage to applying a primer and sealer. Note that it is also wise to spray on alcohol or bleach around the area in the event some water came in contact with the surrounding drywall.

Apply Drywall Primer, Sealer, Mud with Drywall Compound, Texture & Paint to Match Existing Wall or Ceiling

After the repaired area has been sprayed down with a disinfectant, it is best to use a drywall primer and sealer to help prevent future leaks from damaging the drywall. If you are not completely replacing the old drywall, the primer will help protect the drywall from future water damages. After the drywall has been protected, the next step is to apply a drywall compound. Most come in a pre-mixed mud or paste and others may need to be mixed. It is best to apply three very thin coats of the drywall compound to make the repaired area the same level as the rest of the wall that wasn’t damaged. Some will use either a 4 to 8 inch putty knife to apply the drywall compound on the wall. After the compound has been applied on the wall, the next step will be to match the same texture with the rest of the wall before it gets repainted. You can also use the drywall primer on the outside of the wall for additional protection before the final layer of either paint or wallpaper is applied.

Drywall Repair, Replacement, Texture, Painting & More in Ventura, Ojai, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks & Agoura Hills California

McKay’s Painting provides drywall services and can assist in repairing or replacing damaged drywall. Whether the drywall has holes, cracks or water damages, we can repair it. If you need drywall repair or painting along with any of our other services, contact McKay’s Painting today.