When to Tear Out Flooded Drywall (And How to Replace It)

If your basement flooded and you’re staring at wet drywall, don’t wait and hope it dries out. Flooded drywall holds moisture, which leads to mold. And once mold starts, the problem multiplies fast—especially in basements where airflow is poor.

At Total Home Water Restoration, we handle this kind of job all the time in Grove City, Columbus, and nearby towns like Hilliard, Dublin, and Pickerington. Here's how to know when drywall has to go—and how we replace it the right way.

Signs You Need to Remove Flooded Drywall

Once drywall gets soaked, it's not just about water stains. Look for:

• Soft, crumbly texture

• Swelling or sagging

• Visible mold or mildew

• Musty smell

• Water line above the baseboard

If any of these show up, you’re beyond the “dry it out” stage. Time to tear it out.

Code tip: According to IICRC S500 standards, porous materials like drywall must be removed if saturated with contaminated (Category 2 or 3) water.

How We Remove Flooded Drywall Safely

We don’t just rip it all out. We follow a step-by-step process to contain damage and prevent mold:

1. Assess the category of water damage.

2. Mark a clean cut line—typically 2 feet above the visible water line.

3. Use HEPA filtration and negative air if mold is present.

4. Remove drywall, baseboards, and insulation.

5. Dry and dehumidify wall cavities with professional equipment.

6. Apply anti-microbial treatment.

We also document everything with photos for your insurance claim.

Replacing Drywall the Right Way

Once everything is clean, dry, and mold-free, we rebuild:

• Install new moisture-resistant drywall.

• Tape, mud, sand, and prime.

• Paint to match your existing color.

• Reinstall trim or baseboard.

For basements, we often recommend using mold-resistant drywall products (like green board or purple board), especially in areas with previous flooding.

Real Job Example

One Grove City homeowner called us after a sump pump failed and water soaked 3 walls in their finished basement. We removed 4 feet of drywall, dried out the structure, and had new drywall installed and painted in 5 days—faster than their insurance adjuster expected.

FAQ: Do I Need a Contractor for Drywall Removal?

Yes—especially if:

• You’re dealing with more than one wall

• There’s visible mold

• You want the repair done to code and ready for paint

DIY jobs often miss hidden moisture or skip the drying phase, which leads to more damage later.

Call Total Home Water Restoration

We’re not just here to patch things up. We fix your home like it’s our own. If you’ve got water-damaged drywall in Grove City or nearby, give us a call. We’ll take it from disaster to done right.

Tyler Zimmerman, Owner
Total Home Water Restoration
4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
📞 380-246-1837