Hi everyone, I came home to find my basement had flooded with about 6 inches of water while I was out of town. Thankfully, my neighbor checked on it, and the water receded within a few hours. I don't have flood insurance and can't afford a contractor, so I'm tackling this myself. I've already removed the rubber trim and have fans and dehumidifiers running. Now, I have a few questions:
1. How much drywall should I remove?
2. What treatments can I use to prevent mold?
3. How long should I leave everything exposed to dry?
4. Should I use something other than traditional drywall for replacement?
5. Should I let the new drywall sit right on the floor? Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
When dealing with wet drywall, a common recommendation is to remove 2 to 4 feet from the bottom. This makes it easier to fit new boards when you replace them. For mold prevention, consider using something like Concrobium—it's effective. As for drying time, invest in a moisture meter to check when the area is completely dry; it beeps when it senses moisture. Regarding replacements, you could use waterproof materials, but it might be best to go with standard drywall as long as you have an air gap of about 1/4 inch at the bottom to allow for airflow and prevent future moisture issues.
I suggest taking out a bit over 4 feet of drywall. It's usually a manageable height and you won't have to cut as much new drywall to fit. Just make sure everything is dry before you replace it!