If Your Water is DIRTY, you MUST remove all water damage affected materials, including the walls and insulation (do NOT complete this article - go to removing the walls). If you are affected by grey water damage or clean water damage you can simply treat the walls without completely cutting them out. This article explains how to treat the water damaged walls without completely removing them, provided you were not affected by standing water damage.

Amount of Wall Removal:

Depending on the amount of water that you experienced, you may be able to simply drill holes instead of performing a larger-scale wall removal. In most cases, your walls will be drywall and you will be able to simply drill holes. Drywall acts like a sponge, soaking up as much water as it can as fast as it can. Also, drywall does not dry quickly or without the help of air cavities or air movement. In general, the walls are actually the portion of the water damage restoration that we must be most precautionary in.

However, before you go about treating your walls, you must determine if you have standing water. If the water is visible above the carpeting, or is over ½ inch deep on tile, then you do have standing water. In most cases, the homeowner does not have standing water.

If You Do Have Standing Water:

Amount of Wall Removal:

Although this table is not completely accurate because a professional water damage restoration company has not measured the moisture levels in your specific walls, this should provide a rough and fairly accurate outline.

How To - Standing Water Damaged Wall Removal:

1. Using a ruler, make pencil marks at the vertical distances on the damaged wall as specified in the above table. Space the pencil marks about 1 horizontal foot apart from one another.

2. Take your box cutter, load a new blade, and use the ruler to "connect the dots" between your pencil marks. While being cautious not to cut yourself, cut along the line formed by the ruler and the wall. This will not only cut the paint so that you don't get peeling, but it will also provide you with a line for which to cut on.

3. Take the flat or thinner head of your drywall hammer and puncture through the drywall, following along the line that you had cut. Once you have done this throughout the section of affected drywall you are ready to completely remove the wet section.

4. Using your drywall hammer, a crowbar, and your hands; bend, break, and remove your affected section of drywall. Do NOT punch or kick the drywall, because there may be a stud behind the area you are striking. The drywall directly over the studs will be difficult to remove but be persistent with your drywall hammer and you will be done soon enough.

5. Remove any visible insulation by simply ripping and cutting it out. Promptly dispose of it in an airtight garbage bag and move it outside immediately. Make sure to have a breathing mask on, as airborne fiberglass particles can be harmful.

6. Sweep up and dispose of all removed drywall and insulation.

7. Apply two coats of both your deodorizer and your disinfectant to the bottom three feet of your wall (or what is left of it).

If You Do Not Have Standing Water:

If you don't have standing water damage, you can simply drill holes in your walling in order to create air cavities.

How To: Drilling Holes

1. Take your corded or cordless drill, and load your ½ inch or greater diameter bit. Tighten and secure the bit, as you do not want it to become dislodged inside your wall!

2. Making sure that you drill below the line that your baseboard covers, drill holes about 1 inch up from the flooring. If you drill too close to the floor, you will end up hitting the 2" x 4" that is lying on the ground. Your holes should be spaced approximately 6 horizontal inches apart.  Complete this process through your entire affected area.

3. Taking long nose pliers, check by grabbing to see if there is insulation behind the drywall. Note: It is possible for there to be insulation on an interior wall. If you do not find insulation, move to step 20. If you do find insulation, check to see if it is wet by simply touching it. Once you do so, immediately wash and sanitize your hands.

4. If you discovered wet insulation, scroll up and follow the steps to remove some of the water damaged wall and insulation. Removing a height of about 6 inches will allow you ample room to remove the wet affected insulation.

5. Sweep up and dispose of any drywall.

6. Apply two coats of both your deodorizer and your disinfectant to the bottom three feet of your wall.