Keywords: drywall repair, stucco repair, patching, insect infestation
A damaged wall or ceiling must be repaired before it can be repainted. Neglecting this step will result in an unsatisfactory appearance and a finish that may quickly peel and crack.
There are many reasons why drywall can sustain damage. Interior walls suffer from prolonged wear and tear. Moving furniture and appliances, or kids roughhousing might leave dents or holes. Decorating rooms with hanging artwork can leave nail and fastener holes. Mounting flat screen televisions and other electronics to the wall will leave old screw holes. Even updating light fixtures may require you to relocate them, leaving old holes that need patching.
The most serious cause of drywall damage, however, is water. Water from overflowing toilets, sinks and tubs can seep up the walls, ruining baseboards and drywall. Leaking pipes and icemaker tubing can destroy the drywall from the inside out. Clogged AC condensation drains or leaking roofs and evaporative coolers can stain or ruin ceilings.
Exterior walls have their own set of issues. The first line of defense for stucco is a quality paint job. Quality paint lasts longer than inexpensive paint. But whether a paint job lasts three years or ten years, the stucco is unprotected as soon as the paint starts to fail, leaving the stucco at the mercy of the sun and rain.
Insect infestation, particularly bees and termites, can ruin walls. This picture is of a beehive found inside an exterior wall. The stucco had to be opened to remove the hive. This hive had a couple thousand bees. This would be good news if your name is Winnie the Pooh, but it is expensive to remove an active hive and repair the damage. If you see bees flying in and out through a hole in an exterior wall or attic, call a pest control service immediately. The same advice applies should you see evidence of termites. MTS Painting will patch and fill all holes in your exterior walls before painting.
Although it is not common in Phoenix, hail stones can put holes through stucco. What the Valley does get, however, is golf balls. MTS Painting has standing contracts with several area HOAs to repair golf ball dents and holes in stucco walls, so check with your HOA if your stucco has been damaged by a golf ball.
Cracks can form in exterior walls as structures settle over the years. This is more common in areas known to have unstable soil conditions.
Just as it is with interior walls, exterior walls also suffer the most damage from water. A leaking roof may allow rainwater inside the exterior wall to damage the stucco. The most common source of water damage to stucco is human caused, for example, sprinkler and irrigation water spraying against the house. Make sure that the sprinklers are pointed away from the exterior walls. Also, make sure that standing water runs away from the house, not towards the foundation.
All these issues should be addressed and repaired before applying a new coat of paint. Proper preparation is key to a quality paint job. MTS Painting will carefully inspect your drywall and stucco during our consultation to check for any areas of concern. We will include repairs as an item in our comprehensive estimate so that you are aware of these requirements. When our crew comes to perform the work, they will use industry-approved techniques and materials to repair your walls and return them to a like-new condition. Only when the wall preparation is completed are the paint coatings applied to the walls and ceilings. This is how we can guarantee a lasting, satisfactory job. If your walls are damaged and in need of repair, contact us to schedule a free estimate.
