Drywall is a common building material used in the construction of walls and ceilings. It is composed of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two sheets of paper. Drywall is a relatively strong material, but its strength can be compromised by moisture.
The strength of drywall is directly related to its moisture content. As the moisture content of drywall increases, its strength decreases. This is because moisture can cause the gypsum plaster to soften and the paper to weaken.
The normal moisture reading for drywall is between 5% and 10%. When the moisture content of drywall exceeds 10%, its strength begins to decrease rapidly. At a moisture content of 20%, drywall can lose up to 50% of its strength.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the moisture content of drywall, including:
If the moisture content of drywall becomes too high, it can lead to a number of problems, including:
To prevent moisture damage to drywall, it is important to keep the moisture content of drywall within the normal range. This can be done by:
By taking these steps, you can help to protect your drywall from moisture damage and ensure that it remains strong and durable.