Wet Drywall - To Repair, or To Replace?

Wet Drywall, can you repair or do you need to replace? Find it helpful? Please pass it on. Thanks Larry.
This video discusses the options you have when managing wet drywall caused by a flood. We discuss how to determine if water damaged drywall can be repaired, or if it needs to be cut out and replaced. Sometimes a sealer can be be used to cover water stains, but in heavy water damaged areas this can often lead to mold or mildew issues as the board or insulation may never dry out properly.
This wet drywall tutorial supports an accompanying post on my website.
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[@debwyka9657]

Your “wet cloth in the bottle” was an excellent way to show that air circulation is necessary to dry the wall.

[@drj.r.cooper2493]

GREAT information....thanks! Water got in PART of my finished basement, 1 wall in one room was ruined....in 2 other rooms it was maybe 1-2 inches. This helped me decide what to agree to and how far to go.

[@watermitigationadvice4385]

Sorry to hear you had a problem, but happy I was able to help with the info. Thanks for the comment

[@thomasfelts2969]

Thank you for your help sir. Sincerely, guy from Kansas.

[@watermitigationadvice4385]

Glad to help

[@oleksandrakorsun3875]

Thank you for your video

[@watermitigationadvice4385]

Your Welcome Thanks for Watching Larry

[@jintarokensei3308]

Thanks man

[@watermitigationadvice4385]

You're welcome!

[@GeraldineLeerOfficial]

Thanks so much for this. After the last hurricane, a contractor put in "3/4 Cello Foam Polly panels" for insulation, and "board cement" instead of drywall. It went up 2 ft. he said I wouldn't have to replace if it got wet. Is this true? I took the baseboards off so that moisture could escape, but I'm wondering if his technology is true 10 years later...thanks in advance for your help!

[@watermitigationadvice4385]

Hi, The material is water resistant and mold resident. It is installed behind tile in bathrooms and other areas with moisture. That said, 2 ft. of water is a lot of moisture in a closed wall. Insulation and wall material can be waterproof however the 2x4 studs are not. If the studs have had long periods of standing water they can take awhile to dry as there is no air flow in the wall. This can lead to mold on the wood. Water enters the wall in most cases by soaking up into the wood or the drywall. While it sounds like the smart thing to do, removing the baseboard, unfortunately is not much help. There is a 2x4 on the floor with the wall attached to it. Air can not get in even when the baseboard is removed. The wall, each section between the studs is like a sealed box. Same video you watched will explain this around the 4.43 minute mark. Same effect as the rag in the bottle in the same video. Now if water did not sit long or penetrate to high up the wall it can dry OK. AC, dehumidifiers, Fans can help remove moisture from the air to help dry inside the home. Walls are sealed top bottom and sides, even if you remove an electrical box it only allows a small bit of air in a 18-24 inch wide section of the wall. Heavy water will drain out of the bottom of the wall it's the soaked wood, drywall, insulation that is the problem. Of course I am sure someone will claim to have special equipment to get the moisture out of the wall. Hope this helps Larry

[@gerytremaine9240]

Great video!!!

[@watermitigationadvice4385]

Glad you liked it!

[@gerytremaine9240]

@@watermitigationadvice4385 you saved me thousands in repairs! Appreciate a honest person🙏🙏

[@victoriaalvarado8623]

I think I have mold in my wall cause they did everything wrong like you said

[@watermitigationadvice4385]

Was it a lot of water or just a little. Sometimes if it barely shows above the baseboards in a small area you may be OK. If it was a lot of water and went up the wall, that shows the drywall has already soaked it up. That could be a problem as no air gets in between the wall. If you want to test what happens when there is no air. Wet a face cloth squeeze out the heavy water, place it in a jar and seal it tight. You can have it in the air condition house or put it out in the sun. Watch how long it will take to dry. I am hoping you only have minor water damage. Did you call your insurance? Hope this helps. Thanks for viewing my video Larry

[@TheCopperhound84]

Steve Martin Is That You?

[@watermitigationadvice4385]

Sorry no. He is a bit more famous.

[@tammykletecka4116]

Couldn’t you drill a few holes and force air and alcohol through and the plug up the holes? Woman asking😊

[@watermitigationadvice4385]

Good Question, alcohol can help aid the drying process of small amounts of water. However the amount of water that causes damage in your drywall is soaked into the drywall and wood and would require huge amounts of alcohol to soak in deep enough to be effective. The alcohol in that amount would contribute to more damages. Alcohol is also highly flammable, if it cause a short in any electrical connections in the wall it may start a fire. Hope this helps, Larry