How Long Does It Take for Walls to Dry?

Water damage comes from a variety of sources: burst water pipes, overflowing water heaters, water heaters with faulty drain valves that allow slow drainage, clogged gutters that direct water against the exterior side of your house’s wall studs, or high indoor humidity that causes floors and sheet to swell against exterior walls when water evaporates.

How Long Does It Take for Walls to Dry?

Walls take a minimum of 24 hours to dry completely. Choosing water-resistant materials will make it quicker, but water damage has lasting effects on most surfaces, including wood-based sheetrock, wallpaper adhesive, paint, plaster, and carpet.

Even water-resistant sheetrock can absorb up to 6 pounds per cubic foot of water before swelling enough to push against the nails that hold it in place around windows or doors. To prevent warping or to crack, wait at least five days — or longer if you wish — before removing wet sheetrock panels yourself after water damage occurs in your house. For safety reasons, consult with a professional contractor who’s done work similar to yours if water damage is extensive.

Water will eventually evaporate, but water-soaked walls and ceilings can take weeks or even months to dry completely. The water can also cause mold growth, which is a severe health hazard. If you think there’s water damage in your home, call a water damage restoration specialist as soon as possible.

The sooner water damage is addressed, the easier and less expensive it will be to repair. So remember: when it comes to water damage, time is of the essence!
Walls that are allowed to dry improperly may need to be replaced altogether.
Unless water damage is extensive, water-resistant sheetrock might be the only repair necessary.

If water damage in your walls or ceiling is minor, water-resistant sheetrock may be all you need to replace to make repairs. Keep these tips in mind when choosing water-resistant drywall:
– Choose paneling that has a water resistance rating of at least one pound per square foot. One way to do this is by reading the water-resistance rating on the box before purchasing it at a home center or hardware store. Even better than drywall with such a rating is “Type X” — double-walled and stiffer than standard drywall — which can absorb up to 2 pounds per square foot without swelling out of shape. Type X also resists water better than water-resistant drywall and will not only help to minimize water damage in the future but should be your material of choice if you choose to install water-resistant sheetrock yourself.

– For added water resistance, add a coat of primer before applying two coats of paint. Water-resistant drywall is also available with an all-over semi-gloss paint coating that’s ideal for ceilings.