A big question homeowners often ask is “does wet drywall always need to be replaced?” and the answer is almost always yes.
Additionally, if left untreated, water damage on walls can cause the surface to crack, peel or buckle. This can create both cosmetic and structural issues. Water damage can also give host to mold and mildew. That's why repairing water-damaged drywall in a timely manner is best.
Even though drywall is pretty sturdy, it can be significantly damaged if it gets wet for too long. If moisture damage isn't handled right away, the drywall's structural integrity will be compromised, causing it to become soft, weak, and mold-prone.
If the water absorbs into the drywall, mold can start to grow within a few days. In that case, you'll need to reach out to a contractor to remove and replace it. Stains and discoloration are often a good indicator of water damage. If you notice patches of paint are discolored, try not to paint over them right away.
So, Does wet drywall always mold? Well, Once drywall comes in contact with water, there is only a tiny timeframe available to salvage it before the mold or mildew begins to set in the wall. Some mold spores can germinate after just 12 hours of drywall being in wet conditions.
Musty Smell
If you think there's mold in your walls, get on your hands and knees and smell the electrical outlets. This might sound silly, but it may help you sense mold if it's growing within walls. Outlets have better access to the area behind the walls. Thus, smelling them can help identify the mold problem.
A general rule of thumb, according to the EPA and the CDC, is that mold can start to develop on surfaces within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure. However, at this stage the mold spores are not easily visible to the naked eye. It usually takes around 18 to 21 days for the mold spores to colonize and become apparent.
When this happens you may ask yourself, “Does water damaged drywall need to be replaced?” But more often than not, the water damaged drywall is going to have to be replaced. Wet drywall will lose its structural integrity and if left alone for long enough will develop mold spores, between the insulation and the drywall.
It takes around 3-5 days to completely dry wet drywall, so patience is key, but you should be seeing consistent progress.
Do You Have to Immediately Replace Water-Damaged Ceiling Drywall? If your ceiling has been affected by a recent leak, you must replace the drywall as soon as possible to protect the structural integrity of your ceiling.
Generally speaking, wet drywall will take three days to dry out completely, but the actual answer varies from case to case and depends on numerous factors. In some situations, you will be able to let the drywall dry out on its own, but you may wonder how long it will take.
Can you paint over these troublesome water stains? Yes, as long as the drywall is not sagging or weakened. There are a few things that need to be done first, however, before you can paint over water damage: Repair: The area that has the water damage is stained because water got in.
Use Borax To Scrub Away The Mold.
You'll want to use 1 cup of Borax for every gallon of water you use. Take a vacuum and remove as much freestanding mold as you can. Then scrub the mold with your Borax solution until the signs of it disappear from the drywall.
As noted above, water damage will usually leave walls soft to the touch, or otherwise warped, buckled, and crumbled. It also tends to cause a musty smell and dark brown or yellow-tinted stains, lines, or rings in both ceilings and walls.
Water-damaged ceilings are high-priority issues that lead to rot, mold and a weaker house frame. Leaks must be fixed, and water-damaged ceilings repaired, as soon as possible.
The normal rule is that if you have wet drywall for over 48 hours, then it needs to be removed and replaced immediately. Wet insulation should be removed also. But these are tasks that you should not be done on your own. They require the skill of a professional drywall contractor.
Insulation is like a sponge and once it gets wet it will take a really long time to fully dry. The wet insulation will cause mold and foul odors even when the exterior wall has dried. Wall drying techniques are generally ineffective at drying insulation.
To cover water stains in drywall, begin by using a paint scraper to remove loose and peeling paint. Next, start sanding the wall with medium-grit sandpaper, and sand with progressively smaller grit until the surface is smooth. You can then prime and paint the surface of the drywall when it is free of imperfections.
Respiratory protection should be worn when removing drywall as some older drywall joint compound contains asbestos. If the water level was less than 2½ feet, the wall material should be removed to a height of 4 feet to facilitate reinstallation of full sheets of drywall.
Consider the Location of the Damaged Drywall
Another factor to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace drywall is the location of the damage. If the damage is in a visible area, such as a living room or bedroom, then replacement may be the better option as it will result in a cleaner and more finished look.
You might wonder, then, when is it time to replace drywall entirely? If the physical damage is large and severe enough, it might not be worth it (or possible) to simply repair the drywall. However, more often than not, the main reason to replace drywall has to do with other forms of damage, namely moisture.
Mold From Water Leaks
Leaking water doesn't just happen when something big like a pipe bursts. Something as simple as a dripping faucet going unnoticed for months can cause a leak. While the water damage won't always be apparent. It can still cause mold to grow inside walls or under flooring.
Does Mold Always Grow after a Leak? No mold doesn't always grow after a leak. If the temperature isn't right or if the leak is properly dealt with quickly, there's a chance that mold spores won't be able to take root or grow.
Mold can easily spread on drywall especially if it covers the largest portion of your home. It can grow and multiply rapidly as long as there are favorable conditions that promote its growth. The spores may become airborne, spreading to other areas in your home such as your HVAC system, furniture, and crawlspaces.
Toxic black mold can release spores as it feeds on common household materials such as drywall, carpet, insulation, or sub-flooring that have been exposed to moisture. These spores, if ingested or inhaled, can cause a range of unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms in humans.