Question: Should I be worried about mold on my drywall?
Answer: The most important thing to remember, without moisture mold cannot survive. So first remove the water source and the mold is history. Although lawyers and so-called mold removal experts would like you to think otherwise and open up your checkbook, mold is rarely harmful to humans and can be easily eradicated. Spraying a little bleach on it will also do the trick. If it has gotten so bad where the paper on the drywall has been actually eaten away by the mold, then a small patch job to cut out and remove the affected area is in order.
Question: Do I have Chinese drywall in my home?
Answer: Althoughconsiderably more serious than mold and definitely in need of complete removal, my advice is to not overreact if you concerned you may have it. It is unnecessary to spend a great deal of money on another specialist that is trying to profit from someone else's misfortunes. Trust me; if you have Chinese drywall in your home, you will know it, no question about it. The metallic burning sensation in your eyes and throat will quickly give it away. It is obvious within months of installation and unmistakable. My best advice is to call reputable drywall or building contractor who can steer you in the right direction. Recent legal rulings are very specific in the removal of the product and failure to follow them exactly can lead to future resale problems.
Question: What type of texture should I pick?
Answer: I think this is probably one of the biggest issues my customers struggle with and it is probably one of the least important. I have found most individuals seldom even notice what texture is on the walls of a home they walk into. The only time it comes up if it is an extremely bold or heavy texture. These textures are usually trendy and tend to wear out their welcome after only a few years. My advice is to keep it on the lighter side. Be aware of Drywall Contractors Chicago trying to talk you into heavy textures, it is likely they do not have the ability to do a high enough quality of work without heavy textures to cover up the flaws.
Question: What textures are available?
Answer: The most common texture and most universal is orange peel. It is sprayed on with a machine to provide a light, washable, and very patchable finish that few people really notice on the wall. It is used to bring down the labor and therefore the price of a perfectly smooth finish, which can get quite expensive. It appears similar to the texture of a magnified orange peel once painted, hence the name. To dress up ceilings and also provide additional hide, the knock-down texture is commonly used. It is sprayed on as well, but much thicker, with larger dots. It is a very cost-effective texture, which primarily replaced popcorn texture back in the day. When the spray has tacked, a large paddle is used to flatten or knock down the dots, which give it its name. This texture will provide an enormous amount of hiding on a ceiling or wall and many people feel its dresses up a room, but the downside is it's extremely hard to patch and difficult to clean.
The last of the common textures are the skip trowel. It is a and texture applied with a trowel with a back and forth motion. It can be applied heavy or light depending on your preference. Because of its labor intensity, it is commonly used on the ceilings of higher-end homes. It can give an old-world or Spanish type of look to a home as well.
Question: How do I pick a drywall contractor I can trust to do a good job?
Answer: This is a very hard question to answer, but here are a few things to watch for that might help steer you in the right direction. The biggest red flag to watch out for is a dry Waller who wants money upfront before they do the job. In this line of work, it typically means the minute they leave your eyesight there gone never to be seen again. It is sad but unfortunate. Look at their vehicles, are they kept in a reasonable state. Messy, broken, or untidy vehicles tend to emulate their owner's level of artisanship. Everyone wants to hear good news, but anyone that tells you everything you want to hear can be someone to watch out for. An example might be a texture like knockdown, which is simply impossible to match perfectly. For nine out of ten people it will look good enough, but not PERFECT. The only way to make it perfect is to skim out the entire ceiling smoothly and spray it all. More costly, but at least you have that option upfront before it's painted and before you have shelled out the money to fix it once already. I would rather be honest and let people know there are limitations to what can be done than have an unhappy customer.
