Top 5 Causes of Drywall Damage

Drywall damage can put a major damper on your home decorating plans, especially if you’re repainting, but it can lead to even worse inconvenience if you don’t identify the cause and act quickly. While home warranties don’t directly cover drywall repairs, the right coverage can prevent extensive damage by addressing the root cause.

Purchasing a Liberty Home Guard (LHG) home warranty can provide valuable peace of mind next time you notice crumbling drywall or other alarming types of wall damage.

5 Common Causes of Drywall Damage

The types of drywall damage can be split into five common causes:

1. Water damage: Plumbing and roof leaks, clogged gutters, appliance malfunction, HVAC issues, and sewer backups can all cause water to pool in your home. If it’s behind your drywall, you may not notice the initial leak until you see later signs of damage. Soft walls, peeling paint, discoloration, mold, or a musty smell can clearly indicate water damage.

2. Pests and rodents: Gaps between your walls and other building materials can become the perfect highway for rodents and other pests. Hollow sounds, bubbling paint, faint lines, or small pinholes can be signs of pests behind your drywall.

3. House settling: If you live in a newly built or renovated home, you may notice cracks in your drywall as it settles. As long as the other signs of damage are absent, you can repair the issue and monitor it.

4. Poor installation: Nails popping out or your drywall pulling away from the lathe can indicate poor installation and fastening. Many installers cut corners by using fastening tape, which degrades over time. If you live in an older house and notice drywall lifting or exposed nails, it may be time to reinstall or reinforce it.

5. Wear and tear: You live in your house. Whether you have kids, pets, or an otherwise busy household, swinging doors and moving furniture can easily damage drywall if you’re not careful. Quickly repairing the damage can mitigate its spread and help you stay ahead of structural issues.

 

How to Protect Your Drywall from Common Damage

Not all drywall damage can be prevented, but there are a few things you can do to address it.

You can protect your drywall from common damage by staying on top of your home’s maintenance, including but not limited to plumbing, foundation, appliance and roof maintenance. You may also want to consider installing a water leak sensor, which will trigger an alarm if it detects water. Sump pumps and dehumidifiers can also aid in water damage prevention. Pests and rodents can be deterred with routine extermination, which addresses current populations and prevention.

On the flip side, house settling, poor installation, and wear and tear are more difficult to prevent, but you can reduce the burden by regularly inspecting your walls and making repairs quickly.

When to Call a Professional for Drywall Repair

You may need to call a professional for drywall repair if the damage is extensive or you don’t have the time to DIY it. We recommend calling a professional in the following situations:

• Suspected water damage: If you believe there’s potential water damage behind your drywall, a professional is warranted. The tell tale sign is an unfortunate water stain, often on the ceiling. Professional drywall repairers will know how to identify the source of the damage and dry it out sufficiently before installing new drywall
• Large holes: Larger repairs require additional tools and supplies, which may be more time-consuming and cost-effective when done by a professional. Professional drywall contractors can ensure large holes are repaired properly so they don’t become more extensive issues later. 
   
• Significant cracks: Substantial cracks can signal foundation damage and other structural issues. Calling in a professional can ensure they fully inspect the issue, identify the root cause, and address it.

However, there are a few situations you may be able to rectify the issue on your own. Small scuffs and minor holes from an isolated incident, such as a doorknob bumping the wall, can be repaired with home tools and materials.

How a Liberty Home Guard Plan Protects Your Home

Liberty Home Guard’s plans don’t directly cover drywall repair or consequential damage to drywall due to a failed covered item, but it can reduce the burden of finding a reputable contractor and the costs of repairing a covered item if it breaks due to normal wear and tear.

LHG plans offer optional pest control coverage, which can help you stay on top of routine pest maintenance before it becomes a widespread issue. It also offers limited roof leak, which covers minor roof repairs over the occupied main dwelling up to $500.

Similarly, all its plans cover appliances and/or systems, including but not limited to common household leak offenders, such as your dishwasher, laundry machines, and plumbing. If you suspect any of your covered items have a leak, LHG can enable you to act quickly without worrying about the costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes cracked drywall?

Cracked drywall can be caused by various circumstances, including foundation issues, temperature and humidity fluctuations, poor installation, water damage, and seismic activity. The best way to find the cause of cracked drywall is to document the issue from the onset, track its changes, and call a professional to repair it promptly.

What causes a hole in drywall?

Physical impact, pests, water damage, and poor installation can cause a hole in your drywall. If you weren’t there to witness the hole’s formation, call a general contractor to assess the situation and give their professional opinion.

What is a water leak sensor?

A water leak sensor is a crucial component of a leak detection system. It tracks common signs of water leaks, either triggering an alarm or turning off the water to prevent further damage. A water leak sensor installed in the right location can prevent catastrophic damage.

Do home warranties cover drywall repairs?

Home warranties don’t typically cover drywall repairs, but they may offset the costs of other home repairs. If you notice water damage from a malfunctioning appliance or covered system, a Liberty Home Guard home warranty can reduce your out-of-pocket costs to repair or replace the related components.