Homework: How to fix a water-damaged ceiling
A wet drywall ceiling has to be carefully cut to avoid wires, cables and water lines on the other side. Credit: Tim Carter
1 How it starts
The weight of water and loss of structural integrity of the gypsum core causes drywall panels to tear away from the fasteners. It usually happens at the worst possible moment. It doesn't take much to create a disaster.
2 Heads up
The first signs that your ceiling is in danger of falling are depressions around the fasteners. You'll see small dimples form as the drywall surrounding the nails or screws succumbs to gravity and starts to droop, leaving an upside-down crater. If you see this happening, move all valuables and furniture from the room in anticipation of a ceiling collapse.
3 Drain the pond
If a bubble or droop appears in the drywall, water could be ponding on the other side. Use a nail to punch a drain hole, allowing the water to escape. Capture it in a bucket.
4 Careful cut
Test the ceiling with your fingers. Poke at it. If it seems as hard as drywall that has not gotten wet, you may have dodged a bullet. But if the drywall seems soft or spongy, you're going to be best served by cutting out the damaged section before it sags and possibly falls. Cut carefully, as all sorts of wires, cables, water lines, radiant heating pipes and so forth can be just on the other side of the drywall.
5 In over your head
Repairing water-damaged drywall is not too hard. Ceilings will present the most difficulty if you're not a professional. Working over your head is not easy, and getting the repair to blend in with the rest of the ceiling will be tough to achieve if you're not highly experienced at finishing drywall.
6 Breaking the mold
It's best to try to cut out the wet drywall as soon as possible so that you minimize any mold growth. Mold spores are hidden in the typical ceiling; the temperature is perfect, and they have food. The only ingredient missing was water, and now it's present. Mold can bloom within days if you don't act.
7 Wear goggles
Be sure to wear goggles or other eye protection as you remove the damaged drywall. The last thing you need is a scratched cornea from a nugget of gypsum that falls into your eye.
8 Be sharp
One of the biggest challenges in getting the ceiling ready for a new piece of drywall is cutting back the water-soaked drywall to the center of one of the ceiling joists. This is accomplished with any number of tools from a sharp razor knife to a reciprocating saw held at a low angle so the blade just cuts into the drywall and not the wood joist.
