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Project DIYRepairing Water Damaged Drywall

Repairing Water Damaged DrywallGetting Started

In major water damage situations such as storms, flooding or backed up sewage lines, drywall and insulation quickly wicks up the water into the wall. Left untreated, the damp environment in your walls becomes the perfect breeding ground for fast growing and potential dangerous mold. Below are steps that you can take to minimize the damage to your home.

LEARN HOW TO:
  • Minimize the risk of mold growing in walls after a major flood
  • Important to protect eyes and breathing from airborne contaminants
  • .The importance of removing water damaged insulation
  • .Use fans to speed up the drying process

Repairing Water Damaged Drywall Supplies

  • Personal Safety Equipment

Repairing Water Damaged Drywall Step by step

  • STEP: 1

    Turn off any electrical breakers going to outlets in area of demolition. Remove faceplates and unscrew outlet plugs from box and tuck into electrical box. Keep all wires attached.

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  • STEP: 2

    Plastic off the damaged drywall area from the rest of the house only if dust contamination can spread airborne to the other parts of the home.

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  • STEP: 3

    Put on safety gear. It is important to protect your eyes and breathing.

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  • STEP: 4

    Remove any damaged/wet carpet or flooring in wall areas. Remove any carpet padding as well. Also, Remove baseboards or door trim if applicable at damaged drywall areas only. Number the backs of the baseboards to help you remember where each piece goes when you re-install them.

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  • STEP: 5

    In most cases you will want to remove at least 24 inches of drywall from the bottom up. If the entire wall is wet, remove entire wall. You will want to remove both sides of the wall.  If ceiling is wet follow steps for the walls.

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  • STEP: 6

    Remove and throw away any insulation into trash bags. This cannot be re-used once wet.

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  • STEP: 7

    After wall is open and exposed and all materials placed in garbage bags, take shop vac and suck up any smaller debris. If water is present, take filter out of shop vac and suck up the debris as a water will ruin a shop vac filter.

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  • STEP: 8

    After the damaged drywall and insulation are removed, it is important that the wall cavities, wooden framing and studs are thoroughly dry before replacing insulation and drywall. You can speed up the drying process by setting up fans in front of the affected area

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  • STEP: 9

    Once dry, turn fan off and shop vac area one more time. In most cases it will take at least 48 hours for the area to dry out. In more extreme cases it could take a couple of weeks.

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  • STEP: 10

    If mold has started to grow, take liquid bleach in a spray lightly any mold areas and scrub areas and clean off with rags. Dry out areas again with fan.

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