How to Deal With a Wet Drywall
What to Do About Water-Damaged Drywall
You walk into the basement and catch a whiff of something musty. Or maybe a dark stain blooms on your ceiling after a heavy rain. Whatever the case, water-damaged drywall is never something you want to find. But it happens with leaky roofs, burst pipes, and flooding basements. In Indiana, especially during rainy seasons or winter thaws, moisture intrusion can sneak in fast and quietly ruin walls that looked just fine yesterday.
The good news? If you act quickly, you can prevent long-term damage, costly repairs, and even dangerous mold from settling in. Let’s walk through what to do if your drywall gets wet, how to inspect it, when to rip it out, how to dry and rebuild, and when to bring in the pros.
First 48 Hours
Once drywall gets wet, it doesn’t take long before things go south. Mold spores already floating around in the air need only moisture and time. Within 24 to 48 hours, they’ll take root in the paper backing of your drywall. That’s why speed matters more than anything.
Before you start poking at soggy sheetrock, make sure the source of the water is gone. Shut off the valve, patch the roof, fix the foundation crack; whatever it takes to stop the intrusion. Then ventilate like your drywall. Open windows, crank up the fans, and get a dehumidifier running immediately.
Know What You’re Looking At
Before you start tearing into your walls, it’s important to figure out how bad the damage is. Some wet drywall can be saved if you catch it early, but other times… it’s beyond repair.
Here’s how to tell the difference:
Press on the surface – If it feels solid and only mildly damp, you may be able to dry it out.
Check for softness or bulging – If the drywall feels spongy, bows outward, or starts to crumble when touched, it needs to be replaced.
Watch out for ceiling panels. Sagging drywall overhead is a serious safety risk, and wet ceiling panels can collapse suddenly under their own weight.
Trust your nose – A musty, earthy smell can mean mold is already forming inside.
Don’t trust what you can see alone – Water wicks upward through drywall, so moisture could hide higher up, even if the damage looks minimal. Many pros recommend removing drywall up to at least four feet above the waterline to be thorough and avoid future problems.
Out With the Old (And Wet)
Removing drywall might sound like a big job, but it’s actually not hard with the right tools and a bit of patience. Use a utility knife to score a clean, horizontal line across the damaged section. If it’s lower wall damage, four feet is a good benchmark. It makes replacing with standard drywall panels easier later on.
Pull off the soggy sections and toss them. Wet drywall isn’t recyclable, and you don’t want to store it. Behind the wall, inspect the studs and insulation. Any damp insulation, especially fiberglass or cellulose, needs to go. Leave only dry framing behind.
Don't Rush Drying
With the wall opened up, now’s the time to dry the cavity completely. This isn’t a quick overnight fix. Use large fans to move air directly into the wall cavities. A dehumidifier should run continuously in the room for at least 48–72 hours. If the framing still feels damp after that, keep going. Moisture meters are helpful here, but rely on touch and smell if you don’t have one. Dry wood feels cool but not wet and doesn’t smell musty.
This is also your window to apply a mold inhibitor or disinfectant. Even if there’s no visible mold, treating the area is wise. Mold loves dark, damp spaces; don’t give it a head start.
Back to Good As New
Once everything is dry, you’re ready to restore the wall. The process is simple, but clean execution matters for a perfect finish:
Cut and install new drywall to fit the opening, leaving a small gap around the edges.
Secure it with screws to studs or backing so it sits flush.
Tape and mud the seams, then feather the edges to blend with the existing wall.
Sand smooth after the compound dries, applying a second coat if needed.
Prime and repaint, and for the best blend, consider repainting the full wall.
When to Call in the Cavalry
Not every drywall repair is a DIY project. If the water came from a sewage backup or flood, you’re dealing with hazardous contaminants; leave that to professionals. The same goes for visible mold or large-scale damage that's beyond a quick fix.
Ceiling repairs are especially risky. Wet drywall is heavy, and removing it from overhead takes experience and the right tools. Professionals have commercial-grade drying equipment, moisture meters, and the know-how to restore your space safely.
A little water doesn’t have to become a big disaster, but only if you act quickly. If you’re unsure how bad the damage is, don’t wait and hope for the best.
At Custom Paint & Finish, we handle drywall repair and replacement throughout Goshen and nearby Indiana communities. We’ll assess the damage, dry it out, and leave your walls clean, safe, and ready for paint.
Contact us for a free estimate. Let’s get your home or business back to looking its best.
