The storm season often ends up damaging parts or chunks of a home. Also called water damage, rain soaks and seeps through the home’s crevices, eventually making the materials brittle or losing their integrity.
However, some companies now offer maintenance and repair services for water-damaged plasterboards. But although it is as easy as it sounds, there are some things people should first do. Here are some ideas.
1. Find Leak Cause
The first step is to find out the cause of the leak. Although it is common for water to enter the home, it is a problem when it seeps through the cracks and crevices. When the water leaks, it is often because of a broken pipe or a hole in the ceiling.
If it is a broken pipe, it is best to call a professional to fix it. But if there is a hole in the ceiling, it is best to patch it up. Finding the root cause of the leaks should stop them from wetting the property and making its material brittle or lose its integrity. Repairing the leaks should come first.
2. Inspect the Plasterboard
If the leak is coming from the ceiling, it is best to check the plasterboard because it is the most common place where leaks occur. It is also the most vulnerable part of the ceiling. Inspections should help plasterers identify if the material’s integrity is still good enough to use.
The plasterboard is the ceiling material held together by nails and screws. It is also the place where the electrical wires are attached. If the nails or screws are loose, they can cause the plasterboard to fall. Water can also seep through the nails or screws, causing leaks inside the rooms.
3. Scrape Off Damaged Plasterboards
If the plasterboard is already damaged, you will need to scrape off the old plasterboard to ensure that the new plasterboard will be appropriately attached. Once you have removed the old plasterboard, you will need to apply new plasterboard.
When applying new plasterboard, you must ensure that you use the proper adhesive, or the new plasterboard will not stay in place. You also must ensure that you apply the plasterboard evenly, or the new plasterboard will not look its best.
4. Seal Off Using Primer-Sealer
After you have applied the new plasterboard, you must seal off the plasterboard using primer sealers. Sealing the gaps will ensure that the plasterboard is properly sealed, preventing future problems like leaks or further water damage.
Applying primer sealers is relatively simple; just follow the instructions on the packaging. Once the primer-sealers are used, you can paint over them or apply wallpaper, depending on your desired finish. The application should finish in no time.
5. Use Plaster Patching
Once the plasterboard is applied, you should consider using plaster patching. It is a simple process that involves applying plaster to the damaged areas. Plaster patching will ensure that all cracks and holes are filled in, providing a much better and more professional finish.
You can apply plaster patching directly on top of the old plasterboard. However, to ensure that the plaster patching adheres appropriately, you should first sand down the old plasterboard. Once the plaster patching is applied, you can then paint over it.
Conclusion
Repairing water-damaged plasterboards is not much of a difficult task. However, it can be a challenge for people doing the repairs for the first time. But nowadays, homeowners can simply call for help and let the expert plasterers do the job in no time.
Plaster & Recruit offers plastering services to property owners to help them maintain or repair plaster boards. Aside from providing solutions to plasterboard issues, we also assist in ceiling repairs around Gold Coast. Learn more about our services or book an appointment on our website today.