As a master drywall contractor with 35+ years in North Carolina Homes, when it comes to your home, drywall may not be the flashiest feature, but it plays a vital role in comfort, safety, and resale value. After working on homes across North Carolina for more than three decades, I’ve learned one thing for sure: small drywall issues can turn into big problems if you’re not paying attention. Whether you’re inspecting your current home, evaluating new construction, or preparing for resale, this homeowner-friendly guide will walk you through exactly what to look for, and how to tell when it’s time to bring in a pro – like me!.
Why Drywall Inspections Matter
Drywall is more than just a backdrop for paint. It’s a critical component of your home’s structure, insulation, and fire protection. Done right, it’s invisible. Done wrong, or neglected,it can lead to mold growth, energy loss, or signs of structural trouble.
Key reasons to inspect:
- Catch small problems before they get expensive
- Maintain the value and safety of your home
- Prevent moisture damage (especially in NC’s humid climate)
- Ensure a professional-quality finish before painting
Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need contractor-grade gear, just a few basics:
- Bright flashlight (for angled “critical lighting”)
- Moisture meter (optional but helpful)
- Smartphone (for documenting issues)
- 4-foot level
- Step ladder (to check ceilings)
Ceiling Check: The Overlooked Starting Point
Start with your ceilings, issues here often hint at roof leaks, truss movement, or HVAC problems.
What to do:
- Shine your flashlight across the surface at a low angle.
- Stand at different angles to check for shadows or warping.
What to look for:
- Sagging: Often from water damage or incorrect drywall thickness (should be 5/8″ on ceilings).
- Staining: Yellow or brown spots usually point to past or active leaks.
- Cracks at wall joints: Can indicate truss uplift, common in newer homes.
- Wavy seams: Could mean poor installation or framing movement.
How to tell: Use your level to spot dips between ceiling joists. If your ceiling feels soft when you press on it—especially near stains, it may be holding moisture.
Wall Surface Inspection: A Room-by-Room Walkthrough
In Living Areas and Bedrooms
- Nail pops: Small bumps from drywall screws pushing out. Run your hand over the wall to feel them.
- Seam lines: Stand to the side and look in angled light. You shouldn’t see long horizontal or vertical lines.
- Corner cracking: Especially around doors/windows, which can suggest seasonal movement.
- Waviness: A level held vertically should reveal bulges or dips.
In Kitchens and Bathrooms
These areas are prone to high humidity and require more attention.
- Peeling paint or bubbling: Often a sign of trapped moisture.
- Mold spotting: Especially behind vanities or under sinks. Look for fuzzy black or green spots.
- Soft spots: Press gently on areas near plumbing fixtures. A spongy feel suggests water damage.
How to Spot Tape, Seam, and Finish Problems
Even quality drywall can show flaws if finishing wasn’t done right.
- Visible seams: You might see shadow lines or ridges when light hits the wall just right. This usually means the joint compound wasn’t feathered wide enough.
- Cracking along corners: Look for hairline cracks following either inside or outside corners.
- Corner bead damage: Metal or plastic bead protects corners. If you see cracks or dent lines, it could be failing.
- Texture inconsistencies: If your wall looks blotchy or feels rough in some areas, the sanding or mudding wasn’t consistent.
Pro tip: Shine a flashlight along the wall’s surface from a sharp angle. Imperfections will jump out in the shadows.
Moisture and Mold: What to Watch For
In North Carolina, humidity is a big deal. Moisture is drywall’s worst enemy.
- Water stains: Look for rings of discoloration, especially under windows or near ceilings.
- Mold: Musty smell? Discolored splotches? Pull back baseboards or check behind furniture if you suspect a leak.
- Soft drywall: Press lightly in suspect areas. If the wall feels squishy, it’s holding moisture.
If you have a moisture meter, scan areas near bathrooms, kitchens, and exterior walls. Over 15% moisture is cause for concern.
Nail Pops and Fastener Problems
Fasteners (screws or nails) can push out over time as the wood framing expands or contracts.
What to look for:
- Small circular bulges
- Tiny cracks around screw heads
- Paint dimples with no impact cause
How to confirm: If you press gently and feel a firm bump that doesn’t indent, it’s likely a nail pop. A new screw can be added nearby to secure it, then patched and painted.
Cracks: Which Are Serious?
Not all cracks mean trouble. Here’s how to tell them apart:
- Hairline cracks at seams: Common from normal settling.
- Angled cracks from doors/windows: Can point to framing movement.
- Cracks that return after repair: Might suggest ongoing structural shifting.
- Spider-web cracks: Often cosmetic, caused by impact or poor drying.
Measure and mark any cracks, then re-check in a few months. Growing cracks = time to consult a pro.
Finishing Touches: Paint and Texture Clues
Paint can reveal more than you’d expect.
- Shiny/dull patches: Known as “flashing,” this means primer or mud wasn’t applied evenly.
- Texture mismatches: Especially visible in natural light.
- Visible joint compound: If you can see where the drywall was finished under the paint, it wasn’t properly covered.
How to tell: View the wall under daylight or side lighting. Imperfections are easiest to spot this way.
Pre-Drywall Inspection: For New Construction Buyers
If you’re building a home, ask for a pre-drywall walkthrough. Here’s what to check before the walls are closed:
- Framing straight and properly spaced
- Electrical boxes flush with the stud face
- No visible leaks in plumbing lines
- HVAC vents installed and sealed
- Insulation tucked evenly with no gaps
Take photos, especially of plumbing and wiring, so you’ll know what’s behind the walls later.
Common Problems and Simple Fixes
- Nail pops: Add a nearby screw, dimple both, spackle, sand, and paint.
- Small cracks: Use mesh tape and three thin coats of joint compound.
- Tiny holes: Use a patch kit or spackling compound.
- Stains: Address the leak source before patching drywall.
When to Call a Pro
Some problems aren’t DIY material:
- Cracks wider than 1/8″ and growing
- Ceiling sagging or softness
- Mold that covers more than 10 square feet
- Major texture matching issues
In these cases, a licensed drywall contractor or remediation expert is your best bet.
Final Thoughts for North Carolina Homeowners
Drywall is your home’s skin, it keeps things comfortable, quiet, and clean. In our humid, hurricane-prone climate, it also takes a beating. But with regular inspections and a sharp eye, you can catch issues early, fix small problems yourself, and know when to call in the experts.
If you’re unsure about something you’ve found, don’t guess—reach out to Faircloth Drywall. Better to ask questions now than pay for major repairs later.