Removing Soggy Drywall in 8 Not-So-Easy Steps

Step One: Mark

The water line (the highest point that floodwaters reached) will be evident on the drywall. Mark a cut line six to 12 inches above that using either a laser level or marking around the room at a uniform height above the floor. Then snap a chalk line. This might seem unnecessarily fussy at this point when all you?re trying to do is remove soggy drywall to ventilate the wall. But a neat job now will greatly speed the installation of replacement drywall.

Step Two: Place Tarps

Place a tarp at the base of the wall to catch debris. The tarp is a smooth surface that will keep the damaged area cleaner and make it easier to scoop debris off the floor.

Step Three: Cut

Cut along the line with a sharp utility knife.

Step Four: Puncture

Take a framing hammer and knock a hole in the drywall that will allow you to reach through to the other side. Make sure you do this between the studs, and below the cutline so that you?re damaging the drywall that you?re going to remove anyway.

Step Five: Remove and Test

First, remove the plates from your electrical outlets and pry off baseboard trim. Next, wearing gloves, reach into the hand hole and pull the drywall away from the studs. The first couple of bays will be difficult. Once you?ve opened a large area, use a flat bar, hammer, or a flat-nosed shovel to pry the drywall away from the studs.

While you?re doing this, check for dampness on the exterior walls. Get your hand in the insulation. Your goal here is to remove the drywall up to the point where the insulation is dry, so that anything that gets damp is replaced. So if the insulation still feels wet where you made your first cut line, make another test cut higher up the wall.

NOTE: Removal of electrical cable, outlets, and outlet boxes (and their replacement) should be left to a licensed electrician.

Step Six: Transport

Transport the debris outside. The ideal is that you already have a Dumpster, dump truck, or garbage hauler so that you won?t have to remove the debris twice. If that?s not possible, pile the debris on the ground and cover it with a tarp to keep it from getting wetter and heavier. Weigh the tarp down or stake it in place do it doesn?t blow away.

Remember that drywall is heavy?especially waterlogged drywall. But there are several ways to move it. One is to slide it inside a tarp. Large chunks can also be placed in a wheelbarrow or dropped into a plastic garbage can, which you can slide out of the house or carry on a hand truck.

Whatever you do, figure out debris transport before you cut your first piece of drywall and you?ll have an easier time overall.

Step Seven: Dispose of the Remainder

Cut away soggy fiberglass insulation and stuff it into contractor trash bags. Remove drywall screws by backing them out or snapping them off. Same goes for drywall nails.

Step Eight: Ventilate

Fans speed evaporation and reduce the chance of condensation forming inside walls and the formation of mold.

Post-Flood Installation

To put your walls back together after the flood, you'll need to have an electrician replace outlets and wiring, and perhaps the receptacle boxes as well. At PM, it's always been our view that a homeowner who does his or her homework is competent to do basic electrical work, but flood damage is a special case. Flood-damaged electrical materials should be replaced by a pro, who can also evaluate the home's grounding and bonding system. After that's done, you can move on to replacing the insulation you cut out and hanging new drywall.

To do that, cut each piece of replacement insulation so that it firmly butts against the piece above. Staple it in place. Next, cut the replacement piece of drywall and screw it to the studs. Use one screw on each side of the joint (that is, one screw in the new drywall and one screw on the older piece of drywall above). Spread taping compound on the seam and embed paper tape in the compound. Properly embedded paper tape is strong and easy to apply. Strike off excess drywall compound with a 6 in. knife and let the compound dry. Sand off ridges and bumps before applying the next layers of compound.

For plenty more on installing drywall, check out our guides to doing it well and finishing it right.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/interior/removing-soggy-drywall-in-8-not-so-easy-steps-14261117?src=rss

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