Sheetrock Repair in Memphis: 5 Signs You Need To Act Fast

You’ve been staring at the hole in your wall for weeks, and you can swear it’s getting bigger. While your mind may be playing tricks on you, it’s true that the longer you delay getting sheetrock repair in Memphis, the worse the damage will become. What’s more, you’re also putting your home at risk of pest invasion, compromised indoor air quality, and increasing energy costs.

In this guide, we’ll tell you exactly when to act on sheetrock damage and seek drywall repair services. You can also expect a full walkthrough of the material and its advantages to help you understand the intricacies of this economical choice for walls and ceilings. First, let’s spend a little time getting to know exactly what sheetrock is, what it’s used for, and why it’s such a smart choice for Memphis homes.

What is Sheetrock?

As a homeowner with damage to your walls, you’ve likely seen the words “sheetrock” and “drywall” floating around in your repair research. To understand what sheetrock is, you should first know what drywall is. Drywall is a flat panel with two sheets of thick paper filled with gypsum plaster. This plaster increases drywall’s fire and moisture resistance. The panel easily attaches to metal or wood wall studs using drywall screws or nails.

Drywall is the overarching term for this type of material. Sheetrock is one specific brand of drywall with very few differences. The first invented form of modern drywall was launched by a company called Sheetrock®. While there are different sizes and thicknesses of drywall, the term is used interchangeably. It is also worth noting that drywall or sheetrock repair in Memphis are common services that help maintain interior walls, ceiling, and their overall integrity and appearance.

Where is Sheetrock Used?

Sheetrock can be used for anything drywall can—as the interior walls and ceilings of buildings. It’s most commonly found in homes and businesses because it’s easy to install and affordable. Because it’s made from paper, it cannot be used outside; however, thanks to the plaster inside the material, it does offer a low level of moisture resistance.

What is the Advantage of Using Sheetrock?

Knowing what sheetrock is made from, you probably have a few ideas of how it could benefit you and your home. Since this guide is all about sheetrock repair in Memphis, you likely already have the material installed in your home, but you may not know why it’s such a prevalent material. Here’s why so many drywall contractors and home and business owners love it:

Easy to install
Relatively inexpensive
Simple to repair
Versatile and can be used to create walls and ceilings
Smooth, polished look

How To Know You Need Sheetrock Repair in Memphis, Tennessee

When determining if you need sheetrock repair in Memphis, some signs are more obvious than others. It’s not uncommon for damages to occur all of a sudden, nor is it rare that they creep up on you gradually. With that said, one thing is for certain when it comes to sheetrock damage: the longer you neglect it, the worse it will become. That’s true for just about every type of damage when it comes to the economical material, which means getting repairs right away is key to preventing more costly fixes in the future.

Is there a type or level of damage that occurs when sheetrock repair isn’t needed? Not really. Staying on top of small issues when they crop up is an important part of home maintenance. Doing so can make your home look better, feel more comfortable, and be more energy efficient. Who doesn’t like to save a few bucks here and there? Believe it or not, repairing your sheetrock can indeed save you money on your electricity bills. With that in mind, here’s what to look out for:

Water Damage

You may experience water damage for a number of reasons. Whether you have a leaky pipe, broken sump pump, compromised fascia board, or clogged gutters, water can and will make its way inside your home, trickling down the walls and causing damage to your sheetrock. Addressing the reasons you have water damage in the first place is an important part of ensuring it doesn’t happen again, and during your inspection with a professional drywall repair specialist, you’ll learn why this pesky problem is occurring in your home. The right team may just be able to help you resolve it too.

What exactly does water damage look like on sheetrock? You may see a drywall patch that looks off in color, it may be mushy or wet to the touch, and it possibly smells musty. If you leave this patch alone, hoping it will dry on its own, you’re in for a big surprise. Water-damaged sheetrock can continue to spread, and if it makes it to your wooden baseboards can cause additional issues, such as wood rot. Extensive damage could result in needing a drywall replacement, even if it’s just one single panel or a part of the ceiling. Allowing drywall material to dry is not a good idea, as it would lose efficiency and quality. The risk of mold and mildew growth will also be evident.

Cracks

Cracks are one of the easiest types of sheetrock damage to detect, but they’re not always located in areas you see daily. Walking around your home to inspect the walls can help you stay on top of this issue. Cracks are another problem that only worsens with time, and we’re sorry to say there’s even worse news. Cracks in drywall may be a sign that your home has foundational damage and that something is shifting. This shift could have been caused by a faulty sump pump, recent basement flooding, or even clogged gutters which have allowed excess water to collect around the base of your home and cause soil erosion.

The troubling thing about cracks is that, while they seem to be purely cosmetic, they can actually lead to a host of serious problems. The first? Compromised energy efficiency in your home. Any gap that breaks the barrier between your rooms and the space behind your walls means your HVAC unit will have to work harder to produce the same results. This means your energy bills will go up, and you may have reduced indoor air quality. Cracks can be easily repaired with drywall tape or joint compound.

Bumps and Sagging

Noticing bumps or sagging on your sheetrock can be a sign that a piece of drywall was not installed correctly. It could also be a sign of water damage. If improper fastening is the cause, more screws will need to be attached to hold it in place. If you notice your sheetrock seams are bulging or suspect you have water damage in an isolated area, one of the great attributes of this material is that small sections can be cut away and patched up again without the need to replace the entire panel.

Because you can use sheetrock for both walls and ceilings, you may notice a textured ceiling if the panel doesn’t have the right amount of support. Sagging can also be caused by trapped water, so be sure to get an inspection of your attic, roof, or gutters to ensure moisture has not found its way into your sheetrock.

Dents and holes

Whether your sheetrock becomes dented due to recently moving around your furniture or because a certain someone thought indoor football was a good idea, you’ve likely been left with an eyesore on your wall. Dents and holes in drywall often occur because of an impact, but it’s possible that a hole could have been made by pests as well.

Because sheetrock is made from paper board, pests will often use it as a source of food. Not sure what’s caused the hole in your sheetrock? Getting a professional inspection can clear up the confusion.

Nail Pops

Drywall nails are used to fasten sheetrock to wall studs and ceiling joists. But as the wood frame behind your wall expands and contracts with changing temperatures, the nails will begin to work themselves out of the sheetrock and reveal themselves through your wall. This doesn’t just look bad; it can be a safety hazard for anyone walking by the affected wall. If you see nails protruding out from your walls, you may also have improperly hung your TV or other fixtures, which are now putting tension on your drywall and causing the nails to pop out.

Why Hire a Professional For Sheetrock Repair in Memphis?

Now that you know when it’s a good idea to get sheetrock repair in Memphis, you might also be wondering if a professional is needed to do the job. In some cases, DIY repairs are completely possible. Repairing nail pops, patching up holes, and filling cracks can be performed correctly if you have the right tools, materials, and knowledge, but here’s where things get complicated. The reason why a sheetrock repair service is needed in the first place is usually one that needs to be addressed by professional drywall repair companies. While it’s ok to perform quick fixes, essentially, these are band-aids, and the damage will rear its ugly head again in the future.

In the case of water damage, addressing the reason why this has occurred is incredibly important, as the structural integrity and energy efficiency of your home could be at risk. This holds true for smaller issues such as isolated cracks and sagging as well. All of these issues should be addressed quickly by a professional team who knows what to look out for. Hiring experienced contractors skilled in additional handyman services will give you peace of mind knowing your home is truly free from large-scale issues, and if any are found during the inspection, they can be taken care of if you’ve hired the right handyman team.

Looking for “Sheetrock Repair Near Me?” Get Help With Sheetrock Repair in Memphis, TN

Have you noticed problems with your sheetrock? Don’t neglect them. It’s important to address issues as soon as they occur to prevent larger repairs in the future. Taking action now can also help you avoid expensive energy bills, pest infestation, and possibly wood rot! Mr. Handyman of Memphis is the right choice for the job.

With a dedicated team of drywall experts, we can help fix your drywall damage now and can take care of other additional problems that lead to the water damage, crack, or hole you’re dealing with. Our convenient appointment times, a wide range of professional services, and guarantee of workmanship mean that no matter what you call us for, you know it will be done right. Contact our customer service team for drywall repair services today.