Should You Replace Your Drywall After Water Damage?

Drywall that has been exposed to water will often rot or develop mold. However, if you discover the problem earlier, you may be able to avoid replacing it with a new one. You can open up the drywall and see if it is very wet. If it is only slightly wet, you can use a rag cloth to wipe off the water and direct a fan towards it until it is completely dry.

You will have to replace the drywall if it is having a hard time drying. You can test it by pressing the surface. If it is soft, chances are it will not dry. If it is still hard, it means you can still salvage it by drying it outside. The blister on the drywall can be easily popped with a screwdriver. After popping the blister, wait for one day and then check if the drywall is hard. The drywall is restored if it is hard the next day.

Some mold problems on drywall are not serious and can be scraped off. Usually, this type of mold problem only appears on the surface. A serious mold problem will develop not just on the surface but also underneath the board. After scraping off the mold, check if it comes back again. You have to replace it if the mold resurface.

The source of water is also of concern. The drywall is likely to be contaminated if it is soaked with gray water that comes from the sewer. When you notice the drywall is wet, the first thing you should do is to find out the source of the leaking. You may have to shut off the main water valve to stop the flow. The problem could be worse and affect other structures, and flooring if you did not stop the main water flow.

Wet drywall is not to be ignored as a trivial problem. Wet drywall can become too heavy and fall on the person in the bathtub. The water in the drywall could trickle to other parts of your house and cause electric shocks. This will cause mold growth in other areas of your house. If you need to replace your drywall, you should contact a professional restoration company that is licensed and bonded.

The water damage company can help you to inspect the damaged area on the lower floor, basement, and areas that are hidden from visibility. He can go around the house identifying signs that indicate moisture presence. To fix the drywall, the restoration company will use a knife to cut out the drywall and measure the new sheet of drywall to replace it. Next, he will use a dehumidifier to dry the area around and sanitize the walls with a commercial sanitizer.