What Do I Do if My Drywall Got Soaked?

Timeframe

• Wet drywall must be removed no later than 48 hours after soaking. If it is not removed by this time then mold growth may become so extensive that complicated and costly procedures will need to be followed to safely remove it. When removing the drywall, cut 12 inches beyond the water damage marks, to ensure that you have removed all of the water-damaged area.

Draining the Drywall

• There may be a considerable amount of water sitting behind the drywall panels. Before you remove the water-damaged areas, you are going to need to drain out the excess water. If the water damage is in your drywall ceiling, then look for areas that are sagging or drooping. Place buckets under these areas and puncture them with a nail. Have standby buckets ready in case the original buckets fill up. You should remove valuable items from the room before doing this. If it is a wall panel that is soaked, then you may need to remove the baseboards first, and poke holes near the floor in order to drain the wall.

Drying

• If removing the whole drywall board and replacing it is not practical, then you can try another approach. Cut holes around the water-damaged area. These holes will allow air to circulate around the wet area, drying it out. Afterward, patch the holes with spackle. However, if the drywall does not dry out within 48 hours, you will need to replace it in order to prevent mold growth.

Contamination

• If the wet drywall was the result of a burst pipe containing sewage or grey water, then you need to replace it. You cannot try to dry it out. Exposure to contaminated drywall can cause serious health risks.

Tools

• To remove water-damaged sections of drywall, use a sharp razor knife or reciprocating saw. If you use a reciprocating saw, hold it at an angle so that it cuts all the way through the drywall but not into the wood on the other side. Before cutting into your walls, make sure that there are no electrical wires or other hazards on the other side of the drywall.