Protecting Your Drywall During Florida Hurricane Season

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the drywall damage it causes almost always starts with water: rain driven through a roof, window or crack in the stucco. The best protection is to fix small leaks before a storm and to check your ceilings and walls right after one, so wet drywall gets dried or replaced before it grows mold.

Before the season: fix the small leaks

• Look up. A small brown stain on a ceiling means water is already getting in. Find and fix the source now, when the next storm will push far more water through it.
• Check windows and doors. Worn caulk and gaps around frames let wind-driven rain into the wall cavity, where it soaks the bottom of the drywall.
• Seal exterior cracks. Cracks in stucco and siding let water in during heavy rain. Seal them and paint over them.
• Clear gutters and trim trees. Overflowing gutters send water against the house, and branches over the roof are the most common source of storm damage.

After a storm: check your ceilings and walls

Look for new stains, sagging spots, bubbling paint, swollen baseboards and drywall that feels soft. A musty smell often means moisture is trapped inside a wall. See how to check your home for water damage after a storm for a full walkthrough, inside and out.

What happens to wet drywall

Drywall that got a little wet from a roof drip can often be dried and saved, then sealed and painted. Drywall that has soaked up water, sags or crumbles needs to be cut out and replaced. Anything wet should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to keep mold from growing. Drywall soaked by floodwater is usually cut out above the waterline. See how water-damaged drywall is repaired.

Storm damage repair in Orlando

Once the leak is fixed and the area is dry, New Ceilings replaces water-damaged drywall, repairs ceilings and matches the texture and paint across Orlando and Central Florida. Every job starts with a free written quote. See water damage repair.