If you’ve ever had water leak through your ceiling drywall – whether due to rain or an internal source – then you probably know the fear behind this accident. Specifically, does wet ceiling drywall need to be replaced in all cases?
Drywall is very susceptible to mold, deformation, and even collapse if it becomes wet. Therefore, you almost always need to replace wet ceiling drywall to avoid living hazards and further damage to the integrity of your home.
To learn about when it’s necessary to replace wet ceiling drywall, keep reading our guide. We’ll discuss some obvious signs that the drywall needs to be replaced, costs involved, as well as the biggest risks that wet ceiling drywall poses to you and your home. Without further ado, let’s get into the specifics!
Should I Replace Wet Ceiling Drywall?
If your ceiling drywall becomes wet due to a leak or another moisture source, your best and safest option is going to be replacement. Especially in the case of heavily wetted drywall, you need to replace it quickly before mold develops and possibly spreads.
However, if the moisture damage is only minor, you may have a chance of saving the current drywall. But you need to know how to properly dry it out and salvage it. The following are some instances where you might save your wet ceiling drywall:
- You are able to dry out the wet area immediately
- You are able to fully dry the area within a day or less
- The area that is wet is small or only lightly soaked
There are pros and cons to repairing wet ceiling drywall instead of replacing it. Namely, the repair job costs a significant amount of money and effort, so it might be worth it to just put that money into replacement. On the other hand, though, if the water damage is very minimal, then a DIY repair could be the way to go.
You’ll need tools like fans, dehumidifiers, wet-dry vacuums, pumps, and more to get the job done. At that point, you have to decide if you’d rather just have the affected drywall removed and replaced (roughly a 1-2 day job).
Signs That Drywall Needs Replacing
Most of the evidence that your wet ceiling drywall needs to be replaced can be gathered with your senses. Here are the more obvious signs that your wet ceiling drywall needs a full replacement, rather than just some drying and repairs:
- The water has soaked entirely through the drywall
- There is visible evidence of mold forming on the drywall or evidence via mold sample tests
- The drywall not only looks/is damp, but also smells of dampness
- The drywall is wet and stained an abnormal color
- The drywall is deformed in a way that could compromise the ceiling’s integrity (like bulging or sagging)
- The drywall is soft or even “squishy”/”mushy” to the touch
- Parts of the affected drywall are crumbling or falling
If you are unsure as to whether the drywall needs to be fully replaced, you can hire a contractor to take a look and diagnose the problem.
Cost to Replace Ceiling Drywall
There are several costs associated with replacing wet ceiling drywall.
Mold Inspection
First of all, you may need to pay to have an inspector or contractor diagnose the problem, including any detection of mold or mildew. On average, an in-home mold test can cost up to a few hundred dollars to complete.
Materials
There are also the main costs associated with the new drywall itself. Ceiling drywall, in particular, is usually sold by the square foot. The material (drywall) itself is not particularly expensive since it’s made in mass quantities and readily available – about $0.50 per square foot depending on where you live and the quality of the material.
Labor
On top of the drywall costs, you’ll also need to pay for a professional to remove the damaged drywall, clean the area, and replace with new, dry drywall.
On average, labor costs tend to run between $40.00-$50.00 per square foot of installation. So, your costs will vary depending on how large the affected area of your ceiling is.
Risks of Wet Ceiling Drywall
Unfortunately, if you don’t fix wet ceiling drywall – whether you choose to repair or replace – you run into some serious risks in your home.
Mold Infestation
Mold grows quickly inside of homes, and wet drywall is a great feeding ground for it, especially if your home is already humid. Mold infestation usually starts before you can even see or smell it, making it even more dangerous, as you could already be breathing in the spores.
According to the CDC, mold in the home can cause health problems ranging from mild respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath) to asthma development and fever.
Poor Ceiling Strength
Another issue that will eventually develop on a wet drywall ceiling is a loss of structural integrity. This is especially serious if you live in a multi-story home and the water damage has seeped through the ceiling of a lower story. Bulging and sagging are both evidence of a compromised ceiling structure.
Continued Water Damage
Another problem that arises when you don’t address wet ceiling drywall is that you may miss the source of the moisture damage. Is it coming from in-home moisture? Was it caused by leaky pipes in the bathroom above?
You won’t know until you fully assess the issue and eliminate possible sources of water damage.
Final Thoughts
So, does wet ceiling drywall need to be replaced? In most cases, the best course of action is to replace ceiling drywall with water damage. If you don’t, your ceiling could quickly lose its structural integrity and even collapse, if it hasn’t already started developing mold.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is drywall ruined once wet?
Drywall isn’t necessarily ruined once it becomes wet. In some cases, minor water damage can be remedied with the proper protocol. To avoid unhealthy in-home mold, though, replacement is the safer option.
How long does it take for mold to grow on wet drywall?
Unfortunately, it only takes a minimum of 24-48 hours for mold to begin growing on wet surfaces. This includes drywall, which means your wet ceiling may have mold before you even get the chance to repair it.