A lot of houses in the United States use drywall since they are an effective and affordable indoor wall solution. In addition to that, drywall is also less messy and faster to install compared to traditional solutions. They are also simple to handle.  

However, drywall is susceptible to water damage and impact breakage since it is made up mainly of paper and plaster. Fortunately, oftentimes, this damage only needs stain removal, sanding, or patching. However, huge areas of drywall might have to be replaced by an expert drywall installation company.  

Here are several signs that might indicate that you’ve got to replace your drywall: 

Bulges and Bumps 

These can be a sign of swelling as a result of exposure to excess humidity or water damage. Normally, water damage goes together with discoloration. The bulge or bump might have a variety of causes if no discoloration is present. This includes house settling or untidy patchwork. It isn’t advised to rework this patch. Because of this, you have to replace the entire panel.  

Splinters 

Splinters aren’t common since drywall is composed of paper and plaster. But, splinters along the joints and edges can be an indication of huge damage taking hold if plywood panels have been utilized as a substitute. This damage can be a result of rot, water damage, or settling. In addition to that, it can just be a sign of aging materials. The drywall has to be replaced with something more durable if this type of damage takes place. Also, you have to remember that it isn’t recommended to patch a plywood panel. A mold-resistant drywall will be required if you have a basement wall.  

Cracks 

Cracks are an excellent sign of a misplaced seam. Though they might be patched over, this doesn’t solve the underlying structural issue. This type of problem often occurs whenever a seam is installed above the corner of a door or window. This produces a weak spot that turns susceptible to the frame’s expansion and even the closing and opening of the window or the door. To really solve this problem, the affected areas of drywall will have to be eliminated and replaced with a new one. The professionals will ensure that the frame is dispersed properly.  

Water Damage 

Keep in mind that in some cases, you won’t have to replace the drywall because of water damage. The drywall might just be dried out and repainted. This depends on how extensive the damage is and how big the damage covers. Panel discoloration might be a sign of a leak. You can save the drywall if you caught the leak early on. If the damage is extensive, replacing the damaged drywall will definitely be required since water damage affects a huge area in general.  

Holes 

You can easily patch up medium and small holes. However, the patchwork will be a bit visible. If you don’t want this to happen, you will have to replace the entire panel. Patching will not be an option if there are a lot of holes in the drywall.