Have you noticed yellowish a spot appearing on your ceilings? You may have also noticed the smell of wet drywall. It should be apparent from this that your ceiling has some water damage. It is important to repair the cause of the water damage and the ceiling itself. Molds and mildew often occur in drywall whether it is on the ceilings or the walls. Drywall is very porous and is the prefect breeding ground for molds. Mold and mildew can be harmful to your health. In addition the ceiling can decay and will eventually fall down. New York Painting Services will share the steps to repairing the damaged ceiling.

Step 1. Identifying the Source of the Water Leak

Before you consider repairing the ceiling you will need to determine where the water that damaged your ceiling is coming from. If you have a single story home, it could be the roof has a leak, or for homes with a roof top HVAC unit, the water could be coming form that. Multiple story homes could have plumbing lines running in the ceiling that has a crack, or break in one of the plumbing lines. After you have determined the source of the leak repair it first before worrying about the ceiling.

Step 2. Removing the Damaged Ceiling Drywall

If you haven’t already, remove the damaged part of the ceiling. Cut out the water damaged portion of the ceiling in a square. You will find it is easier to patch a square than a round or odd shape. Once the ceiling drywall has been removed, check to see if any damage was done to the wooden frame or insulation around it. If the wood or insulation has any mold or mildew on it, remove the affected materials and replace them. If the leak didn’t cause any mold, mildew or fungus, then use a fan to dry the area and spray bleach on the surface to prevent any future mold growth. You can even use a dehumidifier to remove the moisture out of the air around the affected area.

Step 3. Drywall Repair, Patching, Texture & Painting of the Ceiling

Your next step is to repair the ceiling. After you have dried or replaced the interior damage, cut and replace the piece of drywall for the ceiling. With a scraper or putty knife, scrape the surrounding texture of the ceiling. Scrape at least 2 to 4 inches away from the damaged area of the ceiling. Tack in the replacement piece of the drywall with drywall nails. Then apply the drywall compound into the seam or cracks of the replaced drywall. After it has dried, sand down any rough spots until it is smoothed. Afterward, apply the texture and blend it into current texture. You will need to repaint the ceiling to blend the repaired surface with the rest of the ceiling. Try to find paint that matches the rest of the ceiling or better yet, repaint the entire ceiling surface in that room.

Drywall Repair, Painting & More in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Yonkers, Tarrytown, Bronxville & White Plains, New York

If you have no experience with drywall ceiling repair, it is recommended you hire a professional. New York Painting Services can repair water damage in walls or ceiling from leaks or flooding of your home or business. Additionally we can repaint and make the damaged area look new. If you need any assistance with your home drywall repairs, contact New York Painting Services today. We will be happy to help you.