How to Know You Need Drywall Repair

At My Handyman of Ann Arbor, Saline and Chelsea, we help homeowners around our community with various home maintenance, repair, and installation services, but one of the most popular remains drywall repair. Sometimes it's a small hole that needs to be patched up or a whole sheet that needs to be replaced – either way, customers know they can turn to us for their drywall repair needs in Ann Arbor and the nearby areas.

Why is Drywall so Weak?

For something that is so important to your home, it seems that the drywall is very weak. But it's no surprise – drywall is merely two layers of cellulose with gypsum, a hydrated form of calcium sulfate, core smack dab in the middle.

Drywall is Very Important to Your Home – Repair it Quickly

While it breaks apart easily and is light and cheap, Gypsum drywall also acts as a fire retardant. During a house fire, it absorbs a lot of energy from the fire, which slows the fire's spread, protecting your home's structural integrity and saving time for help to arrive.

Additionally, damaged drywall can cause:

Pest infestations
Poor insulation
Diminished fire protection
An unattractive interior
Frames and décor to fall

How to Know if Your Drywall Needs to Be Repaired

Drywall is inexpensive and commonly used in homes throughout Michigan, so it's important to know what signs you should be on the lookout for if your home needs to have your drywall repaired.

1. There's a Hole in Your Wall

While this is certainly the most obvious sign on the list, any holes that have been punctured into your home's walls need to be repaired. The repair process for small holes is simply having the hole patched up and painted.

Any hole or damage that is larger than five inches, or sheets of drywall with many little holes, requires a bit more construction. This drywall repair process is done by cutting out a new piece of drywall the size of the damaged area, the damaged materials are removed, the new drywall is cut and screwed into place, and then the finished product is plastered and painted over.

2. Cracks & Other Small Openings

Like how a hairline crack can spread through a windshield, a crack in your drywall can do the same. Over time, even the smallest crack can lead to a crumbling wall and a larger hassle than it would have been to seal it as soon as it was noticed. The seam will inevitably become unstable and begin to grow.

3. Tears or Rips

Improper removal of command strips or wall decorations like tiles, mirrors, photos, and more can cause potions of your drywall to come off. While these don't present any danger to the integrity of your wall, the tears can be a large eyesore. A drywall expert can usually repair these with the application of drywall mud.

4. Water Damage

Drywall, as it turns out, is not a friend of water. When exposed to moisture, the cellulose paper of drywall easily absorbs water, which causes mold, mildew, and fungi to take root inside. The affected areas will need to be completely replaced to get things back to normal.

Signs of Water Damage

During flood damage restoration, your drywall will be repaired, but there are other signs that your drywall may be water damaged other than dealing with a full-blown emergency, whether due to a leak or something less drastic. Some signs your drywall may have water damage include:

Visible signs of mold growth
The smell of mold in home
Drywall is soft or spongey
Peeling paint
Stains of water

5. Nail Pops

If you notice nail pops on your drywall, don't worry. They're not very threatening to your home, but they can be very noticeable and reduce the appeal of your interior. These drywall nails that have popped out due to poor installation or your home shifting are inexpensive and easy to fix.

They should be replaced with drywall screws and repatched to ensure the problem doesn't repeat itself.

6. Shifts in Foundations

If you have noticed that your home has shifted its foundation, whether due to soft soil creating an uneven surface for your home to sit upon or other foundation problems, it's important to inspect various parts of your home, including your drywall.

If you spot cracks in the drywall of your home, those holes will likely get bigger, so you need to have any shifting damages fixed. Additionally, any foundation problems should be inspected as soon as possible to ensure the safety of your home.

Turn to a Professional for the Best Drywall Repair

Drywall repair can be quite a tricky task to complete on your own. It's best to outsource the job to a trained and equipped professional, especially if you have never completed drywall work before.

Drywall professionals know what drywall is best for your space and get the entire project done in a quarter of the time it would take for you to research how to repair drywall, purchase all the supplies you need for the job, and attempt to complete it on your own – plus, they do it right without any risk involved!

My Handyman of Ann Arbor, Saline and Chelsea Offers Reliable Drywall Services for Nearby Homes

Instead of looking for a general contractor to complete your Ann Arbor handyman service, turn to My Handyman of Ann Arbor, Saline and Chelsea for help. Our local handymen are experienced in repairing and replacing hundreds of drywall sheets and can help you complete your project quickly.

Our process is simple:

Give Us a Call – Whether you give us a call during or after our business hours or contact us online, you can expect a quick response from our local team.
We'll Talk Details – On the call, you'll have the chance to discuss the severity of your drywall damage and we'll answer any questions you have about our handyman services.
We'll Discuss Pricing – While you can rest assured that our flat-rate costs are competitive, we're always open to discussing prices over the phone so you can make an informed decision.
Schedule Appointment – Lastly, we'll schedule a service appointment so we can start your project. Throughout the process, we'll be there to assist with any other handyman repairs or maintenance needs to make sure you're getting the most out of your service.

With just one call, you can get started on repairing your home's drywall today. Contact My Handyman of Ann Arbor, Saline and Chelsea today!