For a century now, drywall has been a staple in homes and commercial buildings. This gypsum and paper conglomerate material made plaster walls nearly obsolete when it came onto the scene in 1916. Drywall has maintained its prominence in construction for several reasons. It’s sturdy, relatively cheap, easy to paint, and resistant to fire. Drywall, while convenient and useful, isn’t without its drawbacks, though. These issues typically arise from improper installation, poor maintenance, or inadequate interior painting. Let’s take a look at four of the most common problems with drywall.
- Sanding Too Much or Too Little
Drywall, while sturdy enough, is also a delicate surface. Sanding is a necessary action to smoothen the drywall in order to prepare it for home painting or commercial painting. However, sanding too with too much force can actually damage the drywall itself, especially at the seams. Conversely, sanding too gently or too little won’t allow the surface to become smooth enough for proper painting. To help reach the proper level of sanding, be sure to perform this action in good lighting. This way you can see the smoothness as well as feel it.
- Sloppy Joints
To cover large areas, you’ll need multiple pieces of drywall. These pieces must be nailed to the studs of a wooden frame and placed next to one another to cover the entire space. Of course, this leaves you with seams between the boards. Tape is usually used to cover these seams first, then joint compound is applied to make the entire surface flush. A few problems can occur at this juncture.
First, if the panels aren’t completely secured to the studs, part of the wall can jut out, allowing the seam to be visible either immediately or over time. Damage can also occur if panels are secured too close to one another. Changes in temperature will cause the wall to slightly contract or expand. Without enough space between panels (⅛ inch), cracks can form in the wall.
- Water and Moisture, and Mold
Even if drywall is perfectly installed, it can experience damage over time from other factors. The worst culprit is moisture. Many of us have seen walls and ceilings with strange coloration in spots, odd bubbling or cracking, and maybe even mold forming. This can occur due to improper plumbing, leaking pipes, severe weather, or poor climate control. Letting this damage go on too long can render the drywall beyond repair and no amount of paint will cover it up. However, if you notice it and take action before long, these parts of the wall can be saved by professionals.
- Improper Painting
The final common problem with drywall has less to do with its structural integrity and more to do with painting over it. For the most part, painting over drywall is easy. You just have to make sure that you do the necessary prep work, that you’re applying multiple coats evenly, and that you’re allowing each one the proper time to dry. If you’re still concerned, hire trustworthy professional painters to do the job for you.
In fact, some painting services even offer drywall repair and inspection, including All American Painting Plus, Inc. Our people are trained not only in painting but in making important repairs as well. From rotted wood replacement to power washing and drywall repair, All American Painting Plus, Inc. will make your home or business safer and better looking than ever before. Call us at 703-620-5563, or email us at info@aapplus.com for estimates and more!
