Drywall Damage: Wet Drywall & Mold

How To Address Drywall Damage Caused By Mold & Moisture

Basement flooding can cause serious damage to drywall, including stains and disintegration of the walls.

In as little as 24 hours, mold can also begin to grow on the paper backing of drywall.

At Basement Systems, our dealers have seen the worst of basement flooding -- and we've solved each one with our warranted systems!

A flooding basement can mean a lot of damage to everything stored in the space. In a finished basement with drywall and carpeting installed, the damage is even worse. Carpeting will be soaked, and your drywall can become permanently damaged.

Steps To Repairing Wet Drywall

1. Remove all standing water
2. Cut away water-damaged drywall and studs
3. Remove wet insulation
4. Install a perimeter drain system and sump pump
5. Restore the drywall with a waterproof alternative

Water-damaged drywall and insulation is an ugly eyesore -- one that leads to a potentially serious health issue later on. Our warranted drywall repair system, combined with our waterproofing system, is a fast, effective solution to your basement problem.

More Than Meets The Eye: When it comes to drywall, the mold you see is often just the tip of the iceberg. There is often much more mold growing on the side that you can't see than on the visible side.

This is because moisture will become trapped behind the drywall, while additional moisture makes its way through the pores of the concrete.

Water & Mold Damage On Drywall

Short-term damage to drywall is caused by water, whereas long-term damage is usually the result of mold growth:

Drywall Exposed To Water

When drywall is exposed to moisture it will show water stains. After a prolonged period of time, it can also be completely destroyed and reduced to mush. The paper coatings will separate from the gypsum, and the core will lose its structural integrity.

Even if the damage is not immediately apparent, drywall that's lost structural integrity can begin to slowly sag over time and will need to be replaced.

Mold & Drywall

With its paper backing, wet drywall can also be an ideal habitat for mold. Mold feeds by secreting digestive chemicals into the environment, which it then reabsorbs along with digestive materials to use as food. This process is not possible unless the materials are damp. Mold can begin to grow on drywall in as little as 24-48 hours; drying the walls as fast as possible is key to an effective solution.

Mold & Your Health

If you suffer from a headache, stuffy nose, or other allergic reaction at home that seems to go away shortly after leaving the home, it's possible that your problems are related to mold allergies.

The American Lung Association reports that 88 million people in the United States suffer from some sort of respiratory distress. Of these homes, 50% have at least one person living there who suffers from allergies, asthma, or another respiratory ailment. These ailments can all be exacerbated by long-term exposure to mold spores.

More about Mold & Your Health

(Top) Drywall damage in this flooded basement has been removed, preparing the space for a waterproofing system.

(Bottom) A finished basement, with the damaged drywall repaired with our EverLast™ Drywall Restoration System and ThermalDry® Flooring installed.

Repairing Flood-Damaged Drywall

If your basement has experienced a serious flood, you'll probably want to cut away the bottom section of the drywall.

The discolored, water-damaged portion of the drywall is most susceptible to mold, rot, and mildew growth in the future. Water-damaged drywall is also a source of foul odors -- wet drywall has a musty smell, while wet fiberglass can have a sulfuric, rotten eggs smell.

If you're installing a perimeter drain system, this also opens the way for the drain to be installed directly against the foundation wall.

The EverLast™ Drywall Restoration System

If you have a flooded basement that needs the walls cut -- but you don't want to replace the entire wall if you don't have to -- we've got the perfect solution.

Our EverLast™ Drywall Restoration System is an inorganic drywall restoration system that is mold-resistant and will not be damaged in flooding water the way that drywall and wood stud systems are.

With metal studs, a ½" cementitious wallboard, and a washable white-and-beige patterned vinyl covering, it transforms your drywall repair project into a stylish upgrade.

Our wall system meets the floor with an inorganic base molding, while an attractive chair rail along the tip provides a tasteful transition from the drywall to our wall product. Our EverLast™ Wall System can be fully integrated with our perimeter drainage systems and includes a written warranty.

More about our EverLast™ Drywall Restoration System.

Drywall And Landfill Problems

Drywall is a notorious problem in building and demolition industries. Drywall cannot be reused or recycled cost-effectively, so most of it ends up in landfills.

C&D Recycle estimates that drywall comprises as much as 25% of the weight of debris created during building and construction, with 30 million tons manufactured annually in North America. A 2000 study reported 500,000 tons of drywall debris created in Florida alone!!

Decomposing drywall leaches sulfate and other unhealthy chemicals into water, as well as releasing hydrogen sulfide gas into the air, which has a rotten egg smell. It's no wonder that some landfills have banned drywall dumping!

We Restore Drywall Damaged By Basement Flooding!

Your local Basement Systems dealer can provide you with a permanent solution to your water-damaged drywall that you'll love!

Whether you live in Canada or the United States, we have a dealer in your neighborhood. If you'd like a free wet drywall repair estimate, call or e-mail us today!

Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.