5 Great Tips To Manage Moisture in Drywall

Installing drywall is the most common tactic when constructing residential and commercial properties. It’s more advanced than previous strategies, but it does come with its drawbacks. Moisture can damage the drywall over time. Drywall easily absorbs and retains moisture. Read on to learn five great tips to manage moisture in drywall.

Understand Safe Moisture

Before doing anything, it’s essential to understand safe moisture. Keeping moisture out completely is almost impossible, especially when there’s water in the air in the form of humidity. However, there’s a specific level where the moisture needs to remain.

Humidity levels vary from property to property. Try to maintain the moisture level for drywall between 5 and 12 percent. If it’s at a number slightly higher than twelve, it might still be salvageable. However, anything at 17 percent needs replacing.

Check for Moisture

Next, you want to identify moisture-compromised drywall before starting any testing. Depending on the damage, some areas might be more obvious than others. If you spot any discoloration or crumbled drywall, it’s safe to assume there’s moisture damage.

However, your check shouldn’t stop here. You’ll want to see the extent of the damage in those areas because some will be more subtle than others. Discoloration and crumbling drywall are clear signs that the moisture has gone unchecked for a while.

Use a Moisture Meter

Now, you want to pull out your moisture meter to check the drywall. Use a pin moisture meter for the most accurate results. Make sure you calibrate your tester. The first reading might be inaccurate, so it’s best to test the same spot at least twice and compare the numbers.

Take readings in multiple areas around the affected sections. Conduct multiple tests throughout the entire sheet of drywall if it’s a new installation. The readings need to be identical. Check with your local drywall tools store to see its moisture meter selection.

Repair Previous Damage

If you’re planning to install new drywall, don’t start anything before checking for damages. Prevent moisture in the walls by repairing water leakage. These leaks can arise due to plumbing problems like leaky bathtubs, sinks, washing machines, or dishwashers.

Identify the source of the leak before proceeding with repairs. Some may come from poorly ventilated vents or chimneys. Check the common leaking areas first.

Consider Vapor Retarders

Sometimes, the best medicine is preventative. There are ways to prevent or maintain the moisture before it even begins to fester. Consider using vapor retarders to reduce moisture diffusion through the walls and ceilings.

Look at the perm before making any purchases. Perms measure how much water vapor can travel through the material. You’ll want a vapor retarder with a low value because it’ll be more effective.

Here at Timothy’s Toolbox, we pride ourselves on the great tips we can provide you for managing drywall moisture and any other advice concerning drywall. For more information, visit our website.