St. Louis: Drywall Must be Removed After a Flood or Water Damage

All of us in the Saint Louis metropolitan area, including the Metro East area in Illinois, are always trying to find ways to save money and avoid spending it. With inflation rising at rampant rates and the cost of nearly everything on the wise, along with wages not keeping up to the rising costs, nearly everyone is trying to only send where they have to.

As all of us who live in the counties surrounding the Saint Louis, Missouri area, St. Louis has some aggressive weather that comes with flooding and property damage. Homes and business properties, irrespective of the Saint Louis region, are always susceptible to water damage from pipes bursting due to age or freezing.

When a homeowner or business owner has their property damaged from flood or water damage, they may assume that the damage behind the walls is okay as they can’t see it. They may assume that it will dry out and be fine and nothing further is required. This would be a big mistake for anyone living in the St. Louis area as the picture above clearly demonstrates.

In the aftermath of the July 2022 flash flooding in the Saint Louis, Missouri area, Disaster Emergency Services assisted a series of clients in Kirkwood with addressing the issues from having their homes flooded. The picture above shows mold on the back of drywall that was removed from one of the homes that was flooded – two weeks or so after the actual flood occurred. This mold was from the drywall facing the inside. It is believed to be the dreaded black mold that can cause health issues for humans and will slowly destroy construction materials of a home.

It is necessary after a flood or water damage to remove all drywall that is affected where water got behind the walls and to treat the wood and area behind the drywall or plaster with a mold resistant application. If the drywall that was damaged by flood, weather damage, or leaky pipes is not addressed, that mold will continue to spread and will eventually cause a much more expensive problem for the homeowner. It may make it impossible to sell the house until it is fully addressed.

Disaster Emergency Services (“DES”) recommends the removal of all materials touched by water damage in any way, letting the area dry out with humidifiers and fans, applying a mold retardant to the interior of the wall, and then replacing it with new drywall. This is the best method for avoiding a mold growth problem down the line that will cost the homeowner much more in costs and aggravation.

Disaster Emergency Services, LLC

Disaster Emergency Services, LLC works with homeowners, with or without insurance, and other property owners and operators of retail, commercial, or industrial buildings to assist them in their property restoration needs.

Email: [email protected]
Call: 314-498-9690