Does Drywall Waterproof My House?
February 2, 2023
By Executive Drywall Edmonton
Are you looking to add drywall to your home? You may be considering drywall for its aesthetic qualities, or the way it can help create partitions for new rooms. The uses of drywall are endless! But have you thought about whether drywall makes your house waterproof?
The answer is no, but certain types of drywall can make your house water resistant (yes, there is a difference)! In this blog post, we’ll discuss how some drywall contributes to water-resisting properties that are essential for maintaining the structural integrity of your house — and why hiring professionals with experience installing drywall can make all the difference when it comes to protecting your property (for the most part) from heavy rains and flooding.
What is drywall and what are its benefits for homeowners?
So, for those unsure what drywall is, lets do a little refresher. Drywall is an interior wall and ceiling material used in residential and commercial construction. It is made from gypsum powder, which is a soft mineral, that is covered with paper on the front and back sides and comes in standard sizes that are easy to install.
Homeowners benefit from drywall because it is easy to install requiring more than basic DIY skills. If you want to skip the DIY-ing you can even hire professional contractors who are equipped to deal with drywall installations and install them in no time.
Additionally, drywall offers superior sound proofing capabilities suppressing sound and reducing noise transfer between rooms or levels of a building. Furthermore, compared to other wall materials, drywall can be finished relatively easily with painting or texturing options, and it also holds up better long-term as it is both durable and water resistant.
How does drywall work to waterproof a home?
The short answer is it doesn’t. The longer answer is that a certain type of drywall is an effective building material when it comes to making homes water resistant but remember it doesn’t keep everything out by itself. You’ll need sealing ingredients in tandem with drywall. It is a common material used in modern construction that is quite effective at protecting walls, ceilings, and floors from water intrusion. With proper installation and maintenance, certain type of drywall and its sealing ingredients can provide an extra layer of protection against moisture, preventing costly damage and repairs in the future due to water infiltration.
One of the most important parts of using drywall for making homes water resistant is the application of an adequate amount of sealant or other water-resistant materials such as vapor barriers or sheets of plastic on both sides of the wall. Correct application and combination of these materials may ensure a sufficient barrier between the water outside and your house – keeping everything safe and dry!
Are there any potential problems with using drywall to make a house water resistant?
Drywall is generally not considered to be water resistant. If it gets wet, for example from an unexpected water leak or flooding, drywall can quickly become soft and deteriorate.
To protect drywall from any damages, such as cracks and water damage, make sure to secure fasteners and joints tightly using self-tapping screws and mastic compounds while installing. This will beef up the drywall’s structure and provide better insulation without compromising on the aesthetic look of your wall design. It will also make your walls slightly more water resistant.
Additional steps must be taken such as sealing the walls with protective sealant and/or adding extra layers of building grade waterproof materials or coating. Although these steps can add an extra layer of protection in addition to using quality drywall, homeowners should also consider taking preventive measures such as regularly maintaining the roof and other exterior features that are exposed to more moisture on a regular basis.
What are the steps involved in installing drywall in a house?
Installing drywall is an important aspect of protecting a home from water damage if done right. However, simply having drywall alone does not make a house water resistant; the right type of drywall must be chosen, and the installation process must be done properly for any significant benefits to be seen from drywall installation and for water resistance.
The first step, and we’ve mentioned this previously, in drywall installation is to secure a frame onto the walls and ceilings. After this, panels of water resistant drywall should be attached by screwing them into the wood studs. This ensures that when moisture is encountered, it does not pass-through weak points in the wall and get behind the plasterboard or weaken it to a point where its water-resistant properties are compromised.
Additionally, sealing ingredients need to be mixed to make compounds which can seriously add to the water resistance of surfaces when applied properly during the drywall installation process. Consequently, while water resistant drywall alone may not entirely keep your house free from moisture, it can significantly improve overall water resistance with thorough installation during construction of new homes or renovation projects. If you think this process is way too complicated, don’t worry. Our team at Executive Drywall is equipped with all the tools and the right materials to install drywall that can withstand a little to a lot of moisture.
In short, drywall is not waterproof. Some types of drywall, however, are an excellent material to make your home water resistant. It is affordable, easy to install, and durable. If you are considering using drywall to make your home water resistant or just need to upgrade the interiors of your home or business, please call Executive Drywall today for a consultation at 780 444 2647. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and help you get started on your project.
Disclaimer: Please note that Executive Drywall does not assume any liability for the accuracy or consequences of the information provided on our website. Mistakes in the provision of information are always a possibility and you should always do extensive research prior to taking any action.
