Drywall Water Damage Mold Remediation

Drywall water damage is no laughing matter as it can be a very expensive repair as well as potentially harmful if not taken care of quickly. Drywall water damage can easily lead to a formation of mold. There are various types of molds that can be found on drywall and all of them are potentially toxic. Prolonged exposure to mold can cause migraines, shortness of breath, allergies and possible death. Drywall water damage can be remedied with some simple steps and this article will show you how.

Step 1 - Locating the Mold

The most effective tool you possess to find mold is your nose. Pay close attention to the smells around you. Mold will smell like a damp basement. It will have a scent of mildew or be musty. A good indication of where mold will be is by looking at the drywall water damage. This is where the mold will begin to grow and then over time it will spread. There are areas of the home where drywall is more susceptible to mold. These places include the basement, attic, near appliances that use water, sinks, toilets and around windows.

Step 2 - Cutting away Drywall

Mild exterior mold can be killed with bleach and water but the best course of action is to remove the affected piece of drywall completely. This does not mean that you have to rip down the entire wall (though this could be a possibility). Locate the area that has water damage and draw a square around it extending it by several inches around. Use the utility knife and cut out the piece of drywall and inspect it for mold. Make sure you are wearing your protective gear as you are doing this to avoid getting sick. If mold extends pass the extra space you cut then you will have to remove more drywall until you are positive the mold has been stopped.

Step 3 - Cleaning the Mold

Drywall needs to be thrown away but the wood behind it does not as it can be cleaned. Any wood that is found behind the affected drywall should be sanded to remove the mold. It will not take much sanding as mold is mainly on the surface. Once the wood is sanded down you should then clean the surrounding surfaces with a solution of bleach water by mixing the two elements 1 to 1.

Step 4 - Sealing the Holes

Patching drywall after drywall water damage is not that difficult. Measure the space that you cut and transfer those measurements to a sheet of drywall. Carefully cut the piece out and fit it to the hole in the wall. It should just slide into place but you can trim it as needed to make it fit. Once the piece fits apply drywall tape to secure the piece in place. Make sure you put tape around the entire piece. You can then spackle around the edges as well to further seal the drywall piece in place.