How do you cover water damaged walls?

Author: Mattie Baumbach  |  Last update: Thursday, October 16, 2025

Steps To Repairing Water Damage
  1. Clean The Area. Before you start a project like this, give the water damaged area a good clean. ...
  2. Clear And Scrape Any Flaking In The Area. ...
  3. Cover Water Damaged Area With A Peel-Stop / Sealer Binder. ...
  4. Apply Filler. ...
  5. Sand Surface. ...
  6. Apply Water-based Primer / Sealer. ...
  7. Apply Paint.

Can you paint over water damaged walls?

Assess your drywall.

"You can't just coat over a water stain, because it will bleed through—you must first use a water or oil-based primer."

Is water damage in walls covered by insurance?

Under most standard home insurance policies, if water damage occurs suddenly or accidentally from a source inside your home, such as a busted pipe, it will likely be covered by your homeowners insurance. If the water comes from outside your home, it will not be covered by your standard policy.

How do you cover badly damaged walls?

7 Creative Ideas for Covering Your Damaged Wall Without Paint
  1. Temporary Wallpaper – Easy Solution. ...
  2. Wall Tiles for Lasting Impression. ...
  3. Tile Decals – Redecorating Tiled Walls. ...
  4. Wall Decals – Let the Walls Speak. ...
  5. Tapestry & Curtains – Your Signature Theme. ...
  6. Art Accent Wall. ...
  7. Paintings & Sculptures.

How to fix drywall that has water damage?

1 Answer 1
  • Dry things out with fans to prevent mold. Standard joint compound softens when it gets wet, but it's not necessarily bad at that point.
  • Cut away all loose material with a utility knife and scraping tool.
  • Patch with joint compound and your preferred tape (where needed).
  • Prime and paint.

60 Year Old Mason Was Stunned by This Method! Repair Hole in Drywall in 5 Minutes

Will mold always grow on wet drywall?

No mold doesn't always grow after a leak. If the temperature isn't right or if the leak is properly dealt with quickly, there's a chance that mold spores won't be able to take root or grow.

How do you fix water damaged interior walls?

Steps To Repairing Water Damage
  1. Clean The Area. Before you start a project like this, give the water damaged area a good clean. ...
  2. Clear And Scrape Any Flaking In The Area. ...
  3. Cover Water Damaged Area With A Peel-Stop / Sealer Binder. ...
  4. Apply Filler. ...
  5. Sand Surface. ...
  6. Apply Water-based Primer / Sealer. ...
  7. Apply Paint.

How to cover a wet wall?

When painting over a damp patch, you should always use a specialist paint. Paints designed for damp often have properties that treat the problem as well and stop it from coming back. They also let moisture escape meaning there won't be a build-up of damp.

Is there a primer that smooths walls?

Smooth Finish: No one wants bumpy, patchy walls. PVA drywall primer smooths out inconsistencies in texture, making the final result look silky smooth.

How do you permanently fix cracked walls?

How to fix cracks in walls ?
  1. Buy a joint compound that can either be premixed or 'setting-type'
  2. Cut a V-notch along the cracks you want to fix.
  3. Clean the area around the crack to remove debris or dust.
  4. Apply a thin layer of joint compound to the crack and spread it evenly.

Why would a water damage claim be denied?

Reasons for denial can range from the nature of the damage itself—such as gradual damage that occurred over time—to issues with how the claim was filed, including missed deadlines or insufficient documentation. Furthermore, unreported property modifications can also lead to complications during the claims process.

What happens if water gets in your walls?

One of the biggest concerns when water gets in your walls is the potential for mold and microbial growth. These harmful microorganisms thrive in damp, dark environments, and your walls provide an ideal breeding ground. Mold can lead to health issues and extensive property damage if not addressed promptly.

Does State Farm cover water damage?

Typically covered: losses caused by water abruptly leaking from a pipe inside the home, frozen/burst pipe if reasonable care is used to maintain heat in the home, water backing-up through a sewer or drain (with Back-up of Sewer or Drain endorsement) and water damage to your home caused by ice dams.

How much to fix a water damaged wall?

Water damage restoration costs can vary widely depending on several factors, including the extent of the damage, the type of water involved, the area affected, and the materials and labor required for restoration. On average, water damage restoration in 2024 can range from $1,200 to $5,000 in the CA, USA.

What paint to use to cover water damage?

  1. RUSTINS Stain Blocker & Multi-Surface Primer 250ml. ...
  2. Everbuild Stain Block – Highly Pigmented – Easy to Use – White – 400ml, 24' x 3' ...
  3. Polycell One Coat Damp Seal 500ML. ...
  4. Zinsser Cover Stain 1 Litre. ...
  5. Polycell Stain Stop, 250 ml. ...
  6. Johnstone's Paint to Block Stains - White 750ml. ...
  7. Ronseal OCDSW250 250 ml One Coat Damp Seal - White.

What does water damage look like on walls?

As noted above, water damage will usually leave walls soft to the touch, or otherwise warped, buckled, and crumbled. It also tends to cause a musty smell and dark brown or yellow-tinted stains, lines, or rings in both ceilings and walls.

Is there a paint that smooths walls?

Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver for Damaged and Textured Walls. Gives a smooth surface that's ready to paint…. This product is not for online sale and can only be purchased from selected stores. Coverage 2.5 litres will cover up to 5m²(average layer thickness 0.5mm).

What is the best primer to hide drywall imperfections?

To hide imperfections, such as cracks and dents, the Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Interior/Exterior Water-Based Primer works well. To promote adhesion and durability on surfaces, such as metal or tile, the Rust-Oleum Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Primer is an excellent choice.

What product smooths walls before painting?

Know how to smooth walls before painting, especially holes left from nails and picture hangers, as well as any dings and dents. You can take care of them easily with DAP Fast Dry Premium Spackling and DAP Alex Plus Spackling.

How to fix wet walls in a house?

How to repair a damp internal wall
  1. Locate the cause of your damp walls and fix this before continuing.
  2. Buy or hire a dehumidifier to completely dry out the room. ...
  3. Use a stain blocker to prevent future staining.
  4. Replaster your walls.
  5. Redecorate using paint, tiles or wallpaper.

How much does a damp specialist cost?

Damp specialists offer solutions such as damp proofing, waterproofing, and moisture control, ensuring your property remains safe and healthy. Hiring a damp specialist typically costs between £300 and £5,000, though this can increase for larger or more complex projects.

What is the waterproof covering for bathroom walls?

Due to their 100% waterproof nature, PVC bathroom wall panels are a perfect alternative to ceramic tiles for covering the walls of your bathroom.

How to hide a water damaged wall?

Here are your options when considering how to hide water damage on walls due to groundwater: Water-resistant tiles and panels do a good job of hiding the puffed and cracked paint on your walls. And since you're not exposed to the crumbling plaster and fungal growth, you can breathe easier too.

How do you paint over water damaged walls?

To create a barrier that stops the water stain from showing through, you'll need to use either a stain-blocking primer or an oil-based paint first. After that, you can apply an emulsion paint if necessary.

Who to call for water damage in a wall?

Interior Walls & Lower Ceilings – Plumber or HVAC Contractor.

Previous article
Can brown tips turn green again?
Next article
Can you boil stuff in an air fryer?