Drywall is a common feature of most homes and apartments in Chicago.
Also called sheetrock, drywall is a gypsum panel with tough paper on the inside and outside. They’re much easier and faster to work with than older building products, like lath and plaster.
Any drywall ever caught in the path of a leak is likely to suffer water damage.
Even an unchecked slow leak is likely to cause damage to the wallboard, and it may eventually grow mold or mildew, potentially compromising your health.
Here at ServiceMaster of Lake Shore, we repair drywall water damage in Chicago homes and businesses each day as part of our water damage restoration services, so we put together this guide to help you navigate this situation.
Let’s get started.
5 Common Causes of Wet Drywall in Chicago, IL Homes
If you have drywall damage, there are several common culprits:
1. Foundation or drainage issues
If your foundation and drain engineering aren’t prepared to handle rainfall, it can accumulate under your home, seeping into the drywall.
Even if there aren’t cracks or other signs of damage to your foundation, flooding can cause significant issues. After the water recedes, the remaining moisture is of concern if not properly drained.
2. Other external sources
Water could get into a house in many ways. So, if you’re hunting for the source of drywall damage, look at places where a leaking outdoor faucet, a sagging gutter, or a missing roof tile may be allowing water to get inside.
3. Broken pipes
A common reason for wet drywall repair is a broken pipe. Sometimes with more minor leaks, the