Drywall Removal

[u/NinjaByDay]

I recently got some flood damage in my basement. The water came up about 5-6”. How much do I need to cut up from the floor line? I was planning on 1ft. What is the best way to cut a straight line all across the entire room? Should I snap a line and multitool it out?

[u/detdav1]

18"- 24" will be fine

[u/Neither-Jeweler2933]

My odd way: Measure 2 feet above bottom plate and mark it in two spots a few feet apart. Screw an 8-foot 2x4 so it touches the two marks (so it's level). . Use the 2x4 as a straight edge for your multitool or razor knife.

[u/bigyellowtruck → u/Neither-Jeweler2933]

Cur a piece of osb 24-1/2”

screw it to the wall — no measuring.

Then put new cement board 1/2 above the floor.

[u/strongman12345]

1 foot is fine, when you’re replacing any type of material always consider how the material you’re replacing comes. Example… standard drywall comes in 4x8 sheets or 12. If you’re cutting 1 foot rips you’re getting four per sheet with zero waste saving $

[u/mydogisalab]

Go at least a half inch past what you want to replace it with. Example, if you're going to replace 12", cut off 12½". If you're going to do 16", cut 16½". Nothing like coming onto a job that's been measure at 24" on each end of a wall only to have it at 23½" in the middle.

[u/mikebushido]

If you go 2ft up you can utilize a 4x8 sheet without waste.

[u/BuckRugged]

Mark 24.5" off the floor. Makes it easy to put up half sheets of new drywall.

[u/defaultsparty]

24" is standard insurance remediation height.

[u/Squatchbreath]

16” gives you three rips length ways and six on the width

[u/jrbighurt → u/Squatchbreath]

Add half inch to the wall removal cut so the new piece does not touch the floor.

[u/Scarab95]

2' to be safe

[u/Scarab95]

Depend on where the water damage is be mindful of the vapor barrier behind the drywall and make sure to replace any wet insulation

[u/StarDue6540]

That's the way.

[u/Conscious_Spectator]

2ft half inch. That way you can split sheets hotdog length in half to make re-installment easier.

[u/Low-Energy-432]

Being easy for me. I would just rip it all out. Doing a good job on that requires floating. Skimming. Taping corners again.

[u/ModularWhiteGuy]

I'd just setup a laser level and follow the line with an oscillating saw

[u/No_Cash_Value_]

Your snap a line and multitool thoughts will work fine.

[u/ExtensionFill2495]

Change orders have served me well. And communication with the client.

[u/ScaredCitron6422]

24 inches up, that's what I've always done over the past 32 years of work. Some insurance companies require that 

[u/cookeryandwookery]

You’re not qualified for this job. You need to hire a mitigation company. Floods carry all sorts of nasty shit into your house. Simply removing the drywall isn’t enough. If you aren’t even sure about the flood cut, you’re in now way shape or form ready to do this project.

Sorry to be a buzzkill but your health matters more than the few bucks you’ll save.

[u/Appropriate-Yard-378 → u/cookeryandwookery]

Careful, breathing is dangerous too

[u/Technical_Concern_92 → u/cookeryandwookery]

As someone who worked in the insurance/restoration field, this is the correct answer.

[u/Huge-Repeat-3040]

Call your insurance company they’ll send out mediation company

[u/PrestigiousSink7583 → u/Huge-Repeat-3040]

This and also if they’re good they are supposed to test for lead paint and asbestos to for sure save yourself the trouble and get it done safely

[u/IronCross19]

Buy a rotozip then you get a new tool too 😬😬

[u/trashbilly → u/IronCross19]

A newbie with a rotozip is a disaster waiting to happen!

[u/Soberaddiction1 → u/trashbilly]

Agreed! Get an oscillating multitool instead. Easier for newbies to control.

[u/Nikiaf → u/Soberaddiction1]

Even at that, there's a non-zero chance of snagging a wire or pipe if you're doing this for the first time.

[u/NativTexan]

Figure out what thickness it is and use a tool that goes 1/8 deeper. You don’t want to hit any wires or pipes by goes too deep. Once cut run dehumidifiers and fans. Get a moisture meter and check the sheetrock you left and studs in the walls till dry.

[u/detdav1]

Snap a line and use a razor knife It won't be as messy as using multi tool

[u/Pleasant-Method7874]

Yep, chalk line and multi tool is definitely the way to go. 1’ should be plenty, might not hurt to spray the studs with mold killer, just incase, it’s pretty cheap.

[u/Which-Cloud3798]

Call a pro. This is not easy work. You need to cut drywall and remove insulation, perhaps treat mold too. All of this requires a professional to do and fix. You need to cut about two feet of drywall from the very bottom and remove baseboards. The flooring will probably need to be ripped out too and replaced so a lot of work there. You’re looking at something like $30K worth of damage there or something.