Walls

The Basics of Wall Maintenance

To help you avoid issues or damage to your walls, we’ve compiled a list of the most common early warning signs that something could be wrong with your walls. 

Early warning signs of mice:

• Scratching from within walls
• Droppings along baseboards 
• Dark, foul-smelling streaks
• Small holes along baseboards

Early warning signs of water damage: 

• Foul, musty smell coming from walls or closets
• Dark spots along the walls, ceiling, or baseboard
• A constant dripping sound from the wall
• Peeling paint or paper
• Discolored drywall
• Buckling, cracking, or warping

Signs of a foundation shifting: 

• Cracks in drywall 
• Walls bending or bowing
• Nails popping out of drywall
• Baseboards and trim popping off walls
• Gaps between exterior windows and doorframes and walls
• Counters, cabinets, and cupboards separating from walls
• Stuck windows 

Signs of termites: 

• Small mud tubes in walls or ceiling
• Small piles of sawdust-like material around baseboards or walls (this material is called frass.)
• Pin-size holes in walls, baseboards, trim, or ceiling
• Discolored drywall 
• Peeling paint or wallpaper 
• Hollow-sounding wood structures
• Stuck windows and doors

There are plenty of things that can damage walls. But by keeping an eye out and doing regular upkeep, you can keep your walls in tip-top shape. If you’re interested in reading more about different types of wall maintenance or are encountering any of these issues, read more about them in the articles listed below.