I have a stack of 12′ sheets of drywall that I bought about two years ago. It was stored in a closed garage with no climate control. I recently began using it for some renovation and it seems like some sheets are more fragile than others. Could some of it have gone bad?
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Replies
paper plus moisture plus mould equals spores. My answer is Yes...it is possible for drywall to go bad....
Drywall mud if it sits too long will develop mould on the surface and stink like blazes.
Some drywall from china has been in the media as of late for a varity of causes. for the 5 or 10 bucks a sheet, weight the risks against the costs.
I can just picture someone saying " I saved 10 cents a square foot by installing mouldy or possibly defective drywall.
The cost of the drywall board is so insignificant compared to the added costs of taping and painting that it really is a no brainer NOT to install comprimised board or even possibly comprimised board.
Not even in yer own house.
Kinda like building a house on a foundation that was poured with "discount cement"
just my thoughts
Yup. It will wick moisture out of the air when it's humid and then dry hard and brittle when the RH is low.
I used to keep some around for little odds and ends repair work but I always wound up throwing it out later on. Now I just buy it when i need some.
j
Maybe. Drywall will absorb and release moisture. A lot of these cycles or high humidity will cause weakness in the gypsum core. If you notice some sheets more fragile than others, I would expect them to be the top or bottom sheets. If they're not, then there's some other explanation.
I have stored drywall outdoors (protected from rain# for several weeks, in my garage for many months and in my basement #which is a little humid in the summer) for many years, all with no apparent negative effect.
But, if you see any signs of mold at all, I would definitely throw it out.
Without question. If over time it's not sealed and then exposed to spores and mold, the paper, and eventually the gypsum bond will break down.
Older drywall won't 'snap' the way fresh drywall will. Makes it a bit harder to work with.
Jeff
I haven't seen any mold on any of the sheets. Should I use a special primer in this case?
New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
I'm not sure if you're asking if you should use a special primer because you don't see any mold or if you see any mold or simply because it was stored in a garage.
Other than the mold issue (in which case, I probably wouldn't use it), no special primer should be necessary. I've used a variety of interior primers and I haven't found any real significant differences between them.
"I'm not sure if you're asking if you should use a special primer because you don't see any mold or if you see any mold or simply because it was stored in a garage."I'm just wondering if a certain kind of primer might be preferable since it was stored for so long without climate control.New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
I'm just wondering if a certain kind of primer might be preferable since it was stored for so long without climate control.
None that I know of, but in general, I prefer 100% acrylic primers for their better adhesion.
Is the renovation to your house, or someone elses?
My house.New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
Drywall is cheap, just get some more. Its hardly a "brand new" kitchen if you've been tripping over the stack of wallboard for two years. Just my opinion.