What to Do When Your Wall Gets Water Damaged

Water damage is one of those problems you can’t ignore—and shouldn’t try to cover up. Whether it’s from a leaky roof, busted pipe, or a flooded basement, wet drywall needs more than just paint. If you’ve noticed bubbling, staining, soft spots, or a musty smell coming from your wall, it’s time to fix it before things get worse.

Here’s exactly how we assess and repair water-damaged drywall—and how you can do the same at home if you’re ready to get your hands dirty.

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🧠 First: Don’t Just Paint Over It

Painting over water-damaged drywall won’t solve anything. It might hide the problem for a few weeks, but behind the scenes, moisture keeps spreading, mold could be growing, and the drywall will eventually crumble.

Step one is always identifying and stopping the source of the water. If you don’t, the damage (and your repair work) will just come right back.

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🧰 What You’ll Need:

• Utility knife or drywall saw

• Tape measure

• Drywall replacement panel

• Backer board or furring strips (for larger cutouts)

• Joint compound

• Drywall tape (paper or mesh)

• Drywall knives (6” and 10”)

• Sanding sponge

• Primer (stain-blocking is best)

• Paint

• Optional: Mold-killing spray (Concrobium or bleach solution)

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🔧 Step-by-Step: How We Fix It

1. Find and Fix the Leak

Before touching the wall, figure out where the water came from. Whether it’s a roof issue, plumbing, or a window seal—it needs to be resolved and dry before you start repairs.

🧯 If you’re not sure where the water came from, start with a moisture meter and check for obvious ceiling or baseboard leaks nearby.

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2. Cut Out the Damaged Area

Using a utility knife or drywall saw, cut out all visibly damaged, softened, or moldy drywall. Don’t be afraid to go wide—cutting back to solid, dry material is key to a strong repair. We typically cut in clean, square sections to make patching easier.

📏 Use a straightedge or level to help your cuts stay square. It’ll save you a lot of grief when you fit the new panel.

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3. Check for Mold or Odors

Once the area is open, inspect inside the wall cavity. If there’s mold or a musty smell, treat it with a mold-killing solution and let it fully dry out. Leave the wall open for a day or two if needed, with a fan blowing into it.

🦠 If the insulation is wet or musty, replace that too—it holds moisture and can lead to long-term issues.

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4. Install the Patch

Cut a new piece of drywall to size. If your hole is larger than a few inches across, install a backing board behind the patch—this gives it strength and prevents sagging. Secure with drywall screws and check that it sits flush with the surrounding wall.

🔩 Slightly recess the screw heads but don’t tear the paper facing.

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5. Tape and Mud

Tape all seams using either mesh tape (quick and easy) or paper tape (stronger finish). Apply 2–3 coats of joint compound, feathering wider each time. Let it dry fully between coats and sand lightly as needed.

🖌️ You’re aiming for an invisible transition from new patch to old wall—no bumps, no tape lines.

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6. Prime with Stain-Blocking Primer

Water stains love to bleed through paint. We always use a stain-blocking primer like Kilz or Zinsser to fully seal the area before painting.

🎨 One coat of primer + two coats of paint gives you the best odds of a totally seamless repair.

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Leaving Moisture Inside the Wall

If you don’t let the wall cavity fully dry or remove wet insulation, mold will grow—and fast. Always fix the cause and dry the area thoroughly.

❌ Skimping on the Cutout

Trying to “save drywall” by only removing the stained part usually means leaving behind soft, crumbling material. Cut back to solid drywall, or your patch will fail.

❌ Ignoring Stains

Water stains will always bleed through paint unless you seal them. Skipping the primer step guarantees you’ll be repainting later.

❌ Rushing the Rebuild

Patching too soon—before everything is dry, treated, and stable—means you’ll be tearing it out again in a few weeks.

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💡 Final Thoughts

Water damage can feel overwhelming, but it’s manageable if you approach it step by step. The key is fixing the source, being thorough in removal, and not rushing the rebuild. If you’re comfortable using basic tools and taking your time, this is a great DIY project. But if you’re unsure about what’s behind the wall—or just want it done right the first time—we’re ready when you are.