The faster the drywall is dried, the better chance it has of being salvaged. If drywall remains wet for an extended period (typically more than 48 hours), the likelihood of Mold growth increases, making replacement the safer option.
If drywall is damp enough for the paper to wrinkle or deform, the gypsum core has absorbed water, and can lose its integrity and mold. Some drywall is moisture resistant, and some is water proof, but ordinary residential drywall isn't, and moisture is a real concern since it can effect the material's performance.
The only way to prevent mold infestation in drywall following a water damage incident is to dry it within 48 hours after water intrusion. The 48-72 hour window is critical to prevent mold growth as it usually takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to germinate and grow.
Moisture is the main cause of mold growth. This means that if you see signs of water damage, mold will most likely grow or is already growing. However, water damage does not always cause mold growth if you have dried and fix the affected materials within 24 to 48 hours.
The general rule is that any moisture reading over 16% is considered damp and needs attention. If your reading is over 20%, you may need to replace the drywall entirely. The walls in your home with healthy humidity levels should have a moisture reading between 12 to 15%.
Follow the Moisture
Even when leaks are visible, moisture can get inside walls, providing mold a place to grow. Be aware of signs that drywalls are moist such as: Water stains. Dark rings.
Yes, damp plaster can dry out, but the drying time depends on several factors, such as the extent of the dampness, the type of plaster, the temperature and humidity levels, and the amount of air circulation in the affected area.
How Do I Detect Mold Inside My Walls and Drywall? Peeling wallpaper can also be a symptom of mold. While some scruffiness and discoloration tend to eventually strike your wallpaper, unusual surface or peeling abnormalities such as crackling or bubbling can be a sign of wall moisture.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say so. A single water leak can quickly lead to mold if not fixed right away. This shows how important it is to control moisture and prevent mold after water damage. Moisture and mold spores are everywhere.
Wet spots or water spots indicate that water has seeped through into your home and has spread to wall surfaces, furniture, appliances, and anything else in the home. You can check for wet spots by putting your hand on your wall, and if it's wet or there's water anywhere around your hand, your drywall has wet spots.
According to the CDC, people usually experience their first symptoms within 2 to 9 hours of their first exposure. On the other hand, some people could go for weeks or months before feeling sick if their exposure is limited enough. This is why it is also important to check damp, dark areas of your home for mold.
Mould will easily grow and spread if the right conditions are present. So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.
mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem. Use the diagram on the facing page to assess the extent of mold in your home.
Minor Damage is labeled as anything less than 1 inch of water. If left untreated, this small amount of water can cause staining on ceilings and walls and warping on wooden floors. Moderate Damage includes water that is 1-2 inches deep. Water intrusion at this level can escalate the damage significantly.
Many homeowners attempt to simply repair drywall that is infested with mold, but it should always be fully replaced. If you don't replace every part of your drywall that has experienced mold growth, you're only leaving your home vulnerable to much more damage in the future.
Does Water Damage Always Cause Mold? If the home is not completely dry within approximately 24 hours, mold will begin to grow. It doesn't matter if it's summer or winter, you'll begin to get mold. It's almost a guarantee that you will get mold in some capacity unless your water damage is extremely minimal.
The best way to dry wet drywall is to dry it from the inside out. This can be done by using a fan or a dehumidifier. Use a moisture meter to check the moisture levels. Once you have started drying the drywall, checking the moisture levels with a moisture meter is important.
Left untouched, it can continue to spread and make it harder for you to breathe. Even if you don't have an illness that hampers your breathing and you aren't allergic to mold, the mold can trigger a cough, runny nose and watery eyes.
Moisture within and behind walls can be detected with a pinless moisture meter. A non-destructive moisture meter can accurately locate and measure elevated moisture levels without the need to break the wall's surface material.
Dip a clean cotton swab into a diluted bleach solution and dab it on your wall. If the area brightens after a while, it is mold. Dirt/dust won't react with bleach. It is mold if you smell something earthy, damp, or musty.
The structural integrity of the wall has simply taken too much damage and is compromised. If you measured the moisture of the drywall and received a reading of higher than 1% a replacement is needed.
With regular maintenance and cleaning, wet wall panels can last as long as your bathroom does. Over time, you may need to update the sealant along the borders of the wall panels to ensure they remain watertight. Doing this every 10-15 years will keep your wet wall panels going strong for many more years to come.
If rising dampness is left untreated, it can cause serious damage to a building. The moisture that seeps into the walls can rot wood, blister paint and wallpaper, and crumbling plaster. Moreover, rising dampness can also promote the growth of mould and mildew, which may have adverse effects on one's health.