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Does Drywall Need to be Replaced After Water Damage?

Water and drywall are NOT friends. Drywall is an extremely porous material that tends to hold onto water really well and cannot be fixed once water has penetrated it. So, while you could probably spray drywall with a hose and immediately wipe it off without doing any damage, home water issues almost always cause drywall damage as well.

If the water damage was due to dirty or contaminated water (like a sewer line break) the affected drywall will need to be replaced immediately to keep occupants safe. Once contaminants get into drywall via water, the water may dry eventually with extensive work, but the health hazards will remain as those contaminants get stuck inside and can lead to bacteria growth.

Unfortunately, drywall basically provides the perfect growing conditions for mold, so once water damage occurs, the potential for mold growth is extremely high. As a result, water restoration professionals will recommend that you replace drywall if there’s any noticeable water damage. Noticeable water damage includes warping, bulging, sagging, bubbling, or collapse. If drywall feels spongy or damp to the touch, it’s definitely holding water inside. Stained drywall my be structurally intact, but even this “minor damage” is irreparable and indicates that water has penetrated the panel and replacement may be necessary.

If you notice drywall damage of any kind, give an emergency restoration company a call right away so you can find the source of the problem and get it cleaned up and fixed before home mold growth occurs.

Additional resources:
How does mold grow in a home?
Tips for recovering after a home flood
Is that mold?
How much will home flooding cost you?
Restoring a flooded basement
Does carpet need to be replaced after a flood?
Flood damage explained
What should you do after your basement floods?
How much does water clean up cost?
Can wet drywall be harmful?
Can a water restoration company help me?
Repairing drywall ceiling damage
Do you need water restoration?
What do you need to do after water damage?
Is that water damage?
Ashburn water damage repair
Can a GC fix water damage?
What to do when you have bubbling paint on a wall
Who can fix water damage on walls?
How quickly does mold grow after water exposure?
What damage does wet carpet do?
Can I just dry water damage with a fan?
Can insurance help with water damage costs?
Water damage from above: what to do the condo above you leaks
Water damaged ceiling repair
What you need to know about water damage and mold