Roof Leaks and Ice Dam Damage
Kingston's freeze and thaw cycles build ice dams on the shallow-pitch roofs common on 1970s bungalows. The stain usually appears where the exterior wall meets the ceiling, often a few feet from the actual leak.
Water damage repair in Kingston, ON
Water Damage Drywall Repair in Kingston, Ontario
A spreading brown stain or a ceiling that has started to sag needs more than a coat of paint. Kingston Drywall repairs water damaged drywall and ceilings for homeowners, landlords and property managers across Kingston and the nearby towns.
We have spent more than 20 years cutting out wet board, drying cavities and rebuilding walls so the stain never returns. That experience covers roof leaks, burst pipes, overflowing tubs and flooded basements.
We are licensed, insured and WSIB covered, and we give your adjuster the photos, moisture readings and itemised estimate a claim needs.
- 20+ years
- 2,500+ jobs
- Licensed, insured, WSIB
20+ years of drywall
in Eastern Ontario
in Eastern Ontario
Why DIY fails
Painting Over a Water Stain Never Works
Most people try paint first. Within weeks the stain bleeds back, because the tannins and minerals left by the water are water soluble and travel straight through latex paint.
Worse, the board behind the stain may still be wet, softened or growing mould on the back face. Paint hides that problem until the ceiling sags or the smell arrives.
Fixing it properly means finding the wet edge, removing damaged board, drying the cavity and sealing the new surface. That is trade work, and it is exactly what we do.
Causes
Where Water Damage Shows Up in Kingston Homes
The cause decides the repair. These are the calls we get most often.
Burst and Frozen Pipes in Exterior Walls
Supply lines in outside walls and unheated crawlspaces freeze in a hard January. The wall may look fine until the pipe thaws and soaks the insulation and board from the inside.
Upstairs Bathroom and Laundry Overflows
The classic stained-ceiling-below call. A failed toilet seal, a tub overflow or a washer hose soaks the ceiling of the room underneath, usually in a neat circle.
Basement Flooding and Rising Damp
Gypsum wicks water upward. We cut board 12 to 24 inches above the visible water line, because the bottom foot almost always has to go once water has reached it.
Window and Door Flashing Leaks
Wind-driven rain off Lake Ontario finds poor flashing. Damage shows as bubbling paint and soft board below a window corner, and it keeps returning until the flashing is fixed.
Condensation Behind Poorly Vented Bathrooms
An undersized or missing exhaust fan leaves moisture on cold exterior walls and ceilings. The result is peeling paint, stained corners and eventually mould on the board.
Free written quotes with the finish level spelled out.
Clear boundaries
The Source Gets Fixed Before We Touch the Drywall
We are drywall specialists, not roofers or plumbers. Before we book the repair, the leak must be repaired and confirmed dry by the trade who fixed it.
If you do not have a roofer or plumber, ask us. We can suggest local trades, but you hire them directly so the warranty on that work stays with them.
This boundary protects you. Boarding over a leak that is still active means paying for the same repair twice.
Water still dripping? Shut off the supply at the main valve, turn off power to any wet fixtures, and call a plumber or roofer first. Then call us.
How it works
How We Repair Water Damaged Drywall and Ceilings
- 1
Moisture Reading and Sounding the Board
We map the true wet edge with a moisture meter and by sounding the board, rather than guessing from the stain.
- 2
Containment and Controlled Demolition
Plastic containment and floor protection go up first. Wet board and insulation are cut out cleanly and bagged.
- 3
Drying Time Before Anything Goes Back
Framing must read dry before new board goes on. Boarding over damp studs is the number one cause of callbacks and hidden mould.
- 4
Board Replacement, Taping and Three Coats
New board to match thickness, moisture resistant where it belongs, then taped and finished in three coats.
- 5
Stain Blocking Primer and Texture Match
A shellac or oil-based stain blocker seals the area, then stipple or knockdown is matched to the existing ceiling.
Mould
When It Is Mould and Not Just a Stain
Small patches of mould on the face of the board, roughly under one square metre, can be removed as part of the repair. We bag the affected board, clean the framing and seal before rebuilding.
Larger or recurring growth, mould inside wall cavities across several studs, or anyone in the home with respiratory concerns calls for a professional mould remediation contractor. We do not hold mould remediation certification, so we refer that work out and rebuild once the space is cleared.
Following the size guidance used by Health Canada and CMHC keeps the job safe and keeps us honest about where drywall work stops.
Send us a few photos for a faster estimate.
Insurance
Insurance Claims and Restoration Coordination
Adjusters usually want three things: photos before demolition, moisture readings, and a written estimate broken out by area. We document each one as we go.
On larger losses a restoration company handles extraction and drying. We come in once the drying equipment is removed and rebuild the drywall to pre-loss condition.
Our invoices are normally paid by the homeowner and claimed back. If your adjuster wants a different arrangement, ask before work starts.
Pricing
What Water Damage Drywall Repair Costs in Kingston
We price by affected area, then apply two multipliers that make the biggest difference.
| Affected area | Typical scope | Multipliers that raise cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small spot | Single stain or patch under 2 ft across | Ceiling rather than wall; textured rather than smooth |
| Section | Part of a wall or ceiling cut back and rebuilt | Insulation and vapour barrier replacement |
| Full room | Whole ceiling or lower walls after flooding | Emptying the room, texture matching the whole surface |
| Multiple rooms | Burst pipe or roof leak across floors | Staging, restoration coordination, drying time |
Ceilings cost more than walls because the work is overhead and the light exposes every flaw. Textured ceilings cost more again, because the whole surface often needs blending.
FAQ
Water Damage Repair FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear on site visits every week.
How long does drywall need to dry before it can be repaired?
Framing should read dry on a moisture meter before new board goes on. That is usually two to five days with fans and a dehumidifier, and longer after a basement flood in humid weather.
Can water damaged drywall be dried out instead of replaced?
Sometimes. Board that got briefly wet from clean water and is still firm can be dried in place. Board that is soft, sagging, stained through or wet from a sewer backup should be replaced.
Will the water stain come back through the new paint?
Not if it is sealed with a stain-blocking primer before painting. Latex primer alone will not stop it.
Is water damaged drywall covered by home insurance in Ontario?
Sudden and accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe, is usually covered. Gradual leaks, seepage and overland flooding depend on your policy and endorsements, so check with your broker first.
How do I know if there is mould behind the wall?
A musty smell, stains that keep returning and peeling paint are warning signs. We can check with a moisture meter and a small inspection cut, and we will tell you plainly if it needs a remediation contractor.
How fast can you get to an emergency water damage call?
Call us rather than using the form. We answer from 7:00am to 9:30pm Monday to Saturday and 9:00am to 8:00pm on Sunday, and we will give you a realistic arrival time on the call.
Talk to a drywall specialist, not a call centre.
Related
Related Repairs After a Leak
Most water losses touch more than one surface. See ceiling repair for sagging and stained ceilings, drywall repair for smaller patches, and textured ceiling repair when stipple needs matching.
Older homes with wet plaster need plaster repair, and flooded basements usually lead to basement drywall with moisture resistant board.
Free written quote Prefer to talk it through? Call us (343) 504-7975
Get Water Damage Drywall Repair Booked
If a stain is spreading or a ceiling is sagging, call first so we can talk you through what to do right now. The form is best for damage that has already stopped.
Include photos of the stain and tell us whether the leak has been repaired. That helps us book the right crew and bring the right board.
- Hours
- Mon to Sat: 7:00am to 9:30pm
- Sun: 9:00am to 8:00pm
- Service area
- Kingston and towns within about 45 minutes, plus larger projects further afield.
- Licensed
- Fully insured
- WSIB covered
- WHMIS trained
- Working at Heights trained
- Drywall specialists