Ryan Owsiany, Author at Patch and Paint Pros LLC

So You Have Water Damage – Now What?

May 23, 2018 by Ryan Owsiany

Chances are, if you’ve found this page you’ve got an ugly water spot somewhere in your home. It might start as a small, ugly spot on your ceiling or wall that slowly grows over time but what you can’t see is the damage that is occurring behind the drywall. Like the tip of an iceberg, by the time you spot the signs of water damage it’s already too late.

Keep reading to learn what causes water damage, how to minimize additional damage and replacement costs, and what options you can take to remedy the situation and repair your damaged drywall.

What Causes Water Damage?

Water damage occurs when excess water begins to collect in areas where it shouldn’t. There are many different factors that can lead to excess water and cause to water damage. When you know what to look for and aware of the potential causes, you can help prevent damage against future leaking or flooding. You will also be able to quickly spot a problem as soon as it arises and address the situation promptly before the water damage worsens and the problem spreads. The more quickly you notice a leak, the more easily the problem can be remedied and the less work a water damage restoration company will have to repair (translating into savings for you!)

Causes of water damage include:

Bursting or leaking pipes
Plumbing Issues
Moisture buildup in areas prone to collecting water like crawl spaces, attics and basements
Faulty, malfunctioning, or older household appliances
HVAC (Heating, ventilating and air conditioning units) issues
Natural disasters and weather-related problems

What to Do If You Have Water Damaged Drywall

Depending on the severity of your drywall water damage, it may not be necessary to replace your drywall after a flood or leak. In the extent of the severe damage or damage covering a large section of a wall or ceiling, contact a professional for help as there may be structural damage to your home. Additionally, if you have water logged drywall or a continuous leak, it is extremely important that you take action before mold or mildew develop. Mold spores in the air can be very dangerous to your health and untreated mold and mildew can cause even more damage to the structure of your home.

At The First Sign of a Water Damaged Wall or Ceiling Take These Steps

Assess the damage
Attempt to dry the area and use a humidifier
Repair the cause of the leak
Repair or replace the affected areas
When in doubt, call a professional

Drywall Water Damage Detection

First, you should determine the extent of the water damage to your drywall. Drywall water damage can appear as softened or discolored areas on your wall or ceiling. If the drywall water damage is widespread you need to call a professional restoration company; however, if the water damage only affects a small area and you have drywall experience, you may be able to replace the drywall yourself.

Mold and Mildew as a Result of Drywall Water Damage

The most important aspect of remedying drywall water damage is to prevent additional damage from mold or mildew. Mold and mildew occur most frequently when damp drywall sits with inadequate ventilation. Regardless of the location or extent of the damage, we advise using dehumidifiers, industrial fans, or similar machines that can move a large volume of air for maximum ventilation. Standard household fans are not capable of moving an adequate amount of air needed to dry a room adequately.

If you do not adequately dry the drywall paneling, mold and mildew may develop, which is very dangerous. If you notice any black spots, discolored soft spots, or if the area is emitting a foul odor, contact a professional immediately. Even if there is no visible mold or mildew on the exterior of the drywall, the interior may be teeming with spores that can be very dangerous for your health. If you are unsure whether or not you have mold or mildew, call a professional to check it out. At Patch and Paint Pros we do free estimates and can help you with this. Give us a call any time (484)483-3468.

Steps to Prevent Drywall Water Damage

Even if you do not currently have water damaged drywall, there are a few things you can do to prevent serious damage stemming from small leaks that grow over time. Once a month we recommend that you do a check on your plumbing, basements, crawl spaces, and attics to spot small issues before they become costly nightmares.

Damaged and/or Rusted Pipes

Pipes that burst or leak are common culprits of water damage. Be sure to replace any old or rusty pipes because they are more prone to breaking and leaking. Drains and toilets that become clogged or blocked can cause undue pressure in the pipe, which then causes it to leak or burst.

Plumbing Problems

Some plumbing issues occur inside the walls and can be difficult to detect. Typically this is caused when pipe joints and hoses become disconnected or are not tightly, or appropriately connected. (Many times this occurs due to a previous DIY repair) Periodically checking under your sink and around any exposed plumbing for small leaks or water spots can help mitigate any future plumbing disasters.

Basement, Attic, or Crawl Space Concerns

Certain sections of your home such as crawl spaces, basements and attics are much more prone to water damage. Dark, damp crawl spaces can be a haven for mold and mildew, which is turn can then cause structural damage as they flourish. The concrete foundation of your home can cause leaking in the basement if there is moisture dripping through it. Condensation in the area between the attic and your home can cause moisture on the underside of the roof, which can lead to mold and rotting. When checking your home for potential causes of water damage be sure to look out for moisture in light fixtures as well as the overall condition of any noticeable piping.

Malfunctioning Household Appliances

As household appliances get older, their pipes may begin to crack and rust and their hoses or connections can weaken as the materials age. Refrigerators, water heaters, washing machines and dishwaters are all have many parts that are susceptible to deterioration, so keep a careful watch on older models. The two biggest culprits for water damage in homes are washing machines and hot water tanks.

HVACs (heating, ventilating and air conditioning units)

HVACs are also common cause of water damage. Air conditioning units require regular maintenance, and when not properly serviced can cause moisture to build up. When this moisture cools, it can encourage mold growth by interacting with mold spores and encouraging mold and mildew growth in the air conditioning ducts.

Natural Disasters and Weather Related Water Damage

Although you have no control over natural water-related disasters, you can prepare ahead of time to minimize their damaging effects on your home. In the event of a flash flood, sudden storm or hurricane prompt attention by calling a water extraction company will help lessen the time for water damage to occur.

When in doubt, call a professional water repair company like the Patch and Paint Pros. Reputable water damage drywall repair companies have the expertise and equipment to handle and repair any kind of wall or ceiling issues arising from water damage to your home. For more information about drywall water damage or what to do about it, give us a call today and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions. (484) 483-3468.

Project: Ardmore Water Damage Repair

July 18, 2014 by Ryan Owsiany

Water damage can be a home owner’s worst nightmare. At this home in Ardmore the Patch and Paint Pros tended to severely water damaged walls that had peeling and cracking paint.

Drywall & Interior Home Painting Services for Water Damage Repair & Wall Restoration

Water damage occurs when excess water begins to collect in areas where it shouldn’t. There are many different factors that can lead to excess water and cause to water damage. If you suspect you have water damage call a professional as soon as possible because this is one of those problems that will only worsen with time. If you’re in the Delaware, Chester and Montgomery County residents contact us today to set up a free water damage repair estimate.

Have Questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions Page for answers from our Water Damage Repair Experts!

Choose a Water Damage Repair Company you can Trust.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Estimate.

(484) 483-3468

Top Rated Water Damage Repair Contractor

The Patch and Paint Pros team of drywall repair and painting contractors provide top rated Water Damage Restoration Services. As a trusted local water damage repair and restoration company, Patch and Paint Pros provides free in home estimates for water damage repair. If you have unsightly water damage in your home, we can help restore the beauty of your walls and ceilings in no time. Most water damage repair can be completed in under a week, once the area is dry. Contact us today for more information our drywall and painting services for water damage.

High-quality, reasonably priced wall repair and painting
We hired Ryan and his team to repaint a bathroom we had done ourselves during a rushed rehab of our Philly rowhome. These guys did a great job communicating with us about the estimate and the schedule for the work, and I was impressed by how respectful, friendly and professional they were throughout the job. Before they started, the walls were a mess of patches, layers of wall paper, old paint, and damaged plaster. And when they finished, the surface was solid and smooth. When a small problem appeared with the paint job a few weeks later, Ryan came back right away and fixed it himself.
I would absolutely recommend them. – Jill G on Yelp!

If left unrepaired, water damage will continue to worsen. Learn more – Read our post on “What to Do If You Have Water Damaged Drywall”

Ambler Painting Photos

June 11, 2014 by Ryan Owsiany

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Easy Weekend Projects That Will Increase Your Home’s Value – Part 2

May 17, 2014 by Ryan Owsiany

In part two of this two part blog series, we’ll share even more do it yourself tips and tricks that you will truly increase your home’s value on a budget.

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

There is nothing that a fresh coat of paint cannot fix. Start off with the main rooms in the house. Kitchen, master bedroom and the living room. This is probably one of the most inexpensive ways to brighten up your home. You can choose to do this yourself, but if you are seriously considering selling your home, it may be best to hire a professional as a poorly painted interior can subtract value.

Invest in Some Curb Appeal

house exterior and yard landscaping after remodel makeover

Click Here ThisOldHouse.com’s – 8 Smart Budget Curb Appeal Makeovers –

The first thing people see is the outside of your home. If you are looking for a quicker way to get more people interested in buying your home than best is to start with the exterior and yard. Spend an entire weekend on fixing things from the outside. Repaint or pressure wash the exterior, put up a new street number that matches your home’s style, update your mailbox, or replace your shutters. You want people that pass by to be impressed by the way your home looks.

If your landscaping is not up to standard there is no need to hire a landscaper for the small things you can do yourself. Take a good look around your yard, trim those trees, and cut that grass. You can even add a few pot plants here and there to give it an extra touch. Add a pot of flowers on your door step as well this will make your home even more inviting.

Do not forget to pick up things that are lying around in the yard, store tools away and get rid of things you do not need. If your front yard is neat and tidy you will immediately attract more buyers. This will make people want to come into your home and see if it is as beautiful inside as out.

Dress Your Home for Show

Now that you got everything covered it is time to really show off your home. For each room you need to invest in replacing some of the old stuff for the new.

Replace old shower curtains with new ones. Get rid of those old bath mats and purchase simple, yet elegant styled ones. Make sure that before you show of your house that you add fresh rolls of toilet paper this will help to make your bathroom seem more inviting.

Always have a set of towels in the same shade that matches your bath mat. Bathroom accessories should be put in a cabinet or neatly in place.

If your bedding is out-dated, ripped or torn, replace it with a new comforter that goes with your shade of paint that you used in the master bedroom. This will keep the focus. Also if you have curtains in your bedroom try and match them with your bedding.

Create the Impression of Extra Rooms

There are a lot of people that will pay a little extra for more room to breathe. You can add extra room by renovating your garage or basement that way there will be more space .Try and build in some extra shelving in these rooms or some cupboards for extra storage. Make sure there is great lighting to give reduce dark areas. Where possible, open the windows and allow the natural light to illuminate the room.

Small home #design office #working design #office design #office ideas

Pinterest – Small Home Space Ideas

If you do not have a basement, try and create an outdoor space in the back yard. Add extra seating, maybe an inexpensive waterfall and a few pots and plants to make it feel homely. You can find great, gently used patio furniture on Craigslist.com.

We hope you enjoyed this blog series! Try them all and you will soon have buyers coming in and out wanting to purchase your home, who knew that increasing your home’s value can be so easy!

Easy Weekend Projects That Will Increase Your Home’s Value – Part 1

May 9, 2014 by Ryan Owsiany

In part one of this two part blog series we’ll give you some easy, affordable ideas for weekend projects that will increase the value of your home.

Home renovations can be very costly. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars re-modeling your home and landscaping your garden. Top Real estate agents claims that if you spend just a few weekends and invest as little as $300 or even less that will help to boost the way your home looks and eliminate the buyers’ greatest objection.

The De-clutter Weekend

Before you even consider starting with any other project, the first thing that you need to do is de-clutter your home. Most people are so used to the clutter in their homes that they do not even realize what a disturbance it can be for buyers. What you are looking for here is that you want to give the buyer that opportunity to envision their own stuff in your home. If you have difficulty parting with your things, enlist the help of a trusted friend that will give you a straight forward opinion on what needs to stay and what needs to go.

What you want to do is get a few nice and neat boxes where you can easily store toys, papers and books that you will not be using in the near future. Pack these things in your attic or put them in storage, the same goes for your old photos and clothes, or you can even donate some of these clothes to people who needs them, better yet have a yard sale with all the things that you won’t be needing or that you haven’t used in a while, including appliances. One thing that you do not want to do is shove things in closets and the garage store your old goods in the garage .People will look in there and they will soon find out that if you can’t fit things, neither will they be able to.

Give Your Cabinets a Makeover

When it comes to your home, the kitchen is the most important room out of them all. Cabinets are sometimes one of the biggest problems and a headache for buyers. You do not have to remodel your entire kitchen to make it look at its best. Just fix up the cabinets! Out dated cabinets can be renewed with a fresh coat of paint and new hardware to have it look as good as new. Choosing a neutral colour or fresh set of white paint will do wonders for both your kitchen and bathroom.

If your kitchen has a lot of space and receives a lot of natural light then you can opt for a darker shade of paint or stain. When replacing the hardware, knobs and drawer pulls, choose something that is very elegant, yet simple and modern. Do stay away from brass and anything that comes with pictures of birds, flowers or bright colored glass.

Click This Photo to Visit One Good Thing For a Tutorial

Light It Up

Replace anything that is distracting or damaged. Ditch that Hollywood style of lighting across your bathroom mirror it takes too many bulbs anyway. If you have a low hanging chandelier that is very distractive over your dining room table, you can replace it with something simpler or more modern to update the space.

Fix Your Flooring

This is where you want to spend the least of your money, because you do not want to overspend on something that someone else won’t like. Rather leave the choice to the buyer. If your floors have carpet, rent a steam machine and get rid of those stains. If it is a hardwood floor, nothing better than a good wash, buff and polish to make it look spic and span.

If it so happens that you do have vinyl floors that are damaged, replace them with some vinyl stick on tiles.

Start With the Small Things

Instead of procrastinating on the small repairs that have been accumulating over years, tackle them all at once. When you show your home to buyers, problems such as leaky faucets or damaged cabinets will certainly be noticed. Over the course of a week, use a notepad to keep a list of all of the tiny repairs that need to be fixed and then do them all at once on the weekend.

These very easy and inexpensive methods can be accomplished in one weekend by the average do-it-yourself-er to save money while still adding value to your home. Stay tuned for part two to learn more great and cheap ways to fix up your home.

How To Choose The Right Paint Color for Your Home

May 3, 2014 by Ryan Owsiany

When you have finally made the decision to have your home re-decorated, there are a million tiny details that you will eventually need to decide upon. Are you going to be removing any walls to increase the size of your living space? Does that sofa really need to stay, or can you finally persuade your other half to get rid of it? And what is the point of having no storage now that you actually want to be tidy? But of course, the first and potentially most important choice must be made: what color paint will you use?

The color of paint you choose for a room is detrimental to setting the “right” atmosphere or tone of your décor. Too many people blindly choose the first color that they see and like, and then paint their entire home with that same paint! To avoid a color hangover, it’s best to put some thought into the current and future use of each room.

To help you get started we’ve put together these 3 Simple Questions to help determine the right paint color for you:

3 Simple Questions to Help Determine The Right Paint Color

What do I want to do in this room?
Ask yourself what the room that you are going to have painted is used for. Is it a bedroom, that may need calming colors to help little ones sleep, or is it the kitchen, where you want a vibrant and alert ambiance? This should help you decide whether you want a ‘hot’ color or a ‘cool’ color.
When am I going to use this room?
Think about what time of day you typically use this room, and how much light it receives when you do use it. For example, north facing rooms that you will normally be using during the evening will need light and bright colors to help lift the shadows from the walls – whereas you won’t have the same problem in a south facing room that receives lots of natural light.
Where is this room in my home?
The last important thing to consider is your home as a whole. Is this room an open space that flows openly into another room o? If the room you will be painting is open, like a kitchen or common living area you may want to consider how the wall color you choose will blend in with the color choices of the connecting rooms. In this situation it may be best to choose a neutral or a similar paint color to the other rooms to avoid a clash of colors and designs. If it is a stand-alone room such as a bathroom, bedroom, or office you have more freedom to use bold colors or even an accent wall to create a unique living space.

Repainting your home a new color, changing the style of your current décor, or simply updating an old, outdated room with a fresh coat of paint can feel overwhelming with all the possible paints and combinations of colors. If you’re not sure where to start, check out Pinterest or take a look at some of our photo galleries for ideas.

Just for fun, take this quiz to find your Paint Color Personality on SouthernLiving.com

Easy Ways to Make a Small Room Look Larger

April 22, 2014 by Ryan Owsiany

Not everyone has the luxury of space when it comes to owning a home. So if you happen to be living in a small one, don’t be discouraged. There are many different and creative ways to make your living areas look larger and more luxurious even without having to spend lots of cash for renovation. In creating the illusion of space, all you need is a little touch of creativity and the right color combination of interior paints. Below are 5 easy ways that you can revamp your space without emptying your wallet.

Choose light and neutral colors.
Most important thing to consider when creating a larger room is the use of right color combinations. Choosing to paint your home with light, cool colors and neutral accents can give the illusion of more space.
Keep a visual balance.
Another way to create a larger space is by keeping a visual balance through the use of complementary colors among furniture, walls, ceilings, floors and other room decorations. Avoid adding a brightly colored element that may overwhelm the room and reduce the illusion of space.
Lighten up your room (literally!).
Ideally, you must use several lighting elements in every room of your home instead of recessed spot lighting to create the illusion of more space. You may also avoid using heavy curtains with dark colors to take advantage of natural light especially during daytime.
Add mirrored elements.
Try adding a horizontal wall mirror, glass table, or other decorative pieces with a mirrored finished. These will not only reflect images, but also light and colors across the room. To make your room look much bigger, you may care to use a nice, long horizontal mirror as an added decorative element.
Style with horizontal or vertical stripes.
Horizontal stripes are best for widening the room, while vertical stripes are perfect for making the room seem taller. It may be a bit overwhelming to paint an entire room with stripes and the same effect can be created using a striped accent wall.

Choosing the right color combinations and creating the perfect patterns to make your room look bigger can be quite daunting. If you ready to get started but don’t know where to begin, leave it to us! Our experts at Patch and Paint Pros can help you choose the right colors for your space and then take care of the messy paint work for you.