How to Dry Out Behind Drywall

Water damage, whether it is above or below grade, is a very serious problem. If the drywall was submerged in water for more than two hours or moisture has seeped behind this material, mold and mildew will develop. It is vital to dry out the area behind the drywall to avoid a potential health hazard. This means ripping out the old drywall and replacing it since there is no safe way to completely dry out this space with the drywall in place.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloths
• Masking tape
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Mask
• Hair dryer
• Portable heater

Instructions

1. Lay drop cloths underneath the wall and tape them down with masking tape. This is a messy job. Drop cloths will protect your flooring and make the clean-up process easier.

2. Pry off the old sheets of drywall with a pry bar. Start at the edge of the wall. Insert the pry bar underneath the drywall then pop it out of the frame. If the drywall is still wet, it may crumble.

3. Remove any remaining nails or screws and scrape off any residual drywall. Drywall pieces will cling around the screws or nails in the wall studs. Pull out the nails or back out the screws with a screwdriver. Look into the spaces between the baseboards and remove any pieces of drywall that may have fallen into this area.

4. Pull out any wet insulation. This will have to be replaced with new insulation once the wall is completely dry.

5. Dry out the wall cavity with a hair dryer or a portable heater. If you are pressed for time, use a hair dryer and wave it in front of the wall cavity. If time is not an issue, place a portable heater 3 feet away from the wall and turn it on to dry out the space. Ideally, give the area a few days to dry out before repairing the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a plastic bucket handy as you remove the screws or nails from the wall studs. You can save them for future use or just throw them in the bucket to make clean-up quicker.

• Do not use an electrical appliance if there is standing water in the area.

• Wear gloves and a mask to protect your eyes and lungs during this project.

• If the drywall is old, it may have asbestos. Do not remove asbestos drywall on your own -- call a contractor to have it professionally removed.

References

• North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources: Tips for Drying Out a Water Damaged Building
• This Old House: Drying Out a Wet Basement