How to Dry Wall Cavities and Cabinets Damaged by Water

After significant water damage from storms, flooding, or burst pipes, it’s crucial to address the moisture trapped in wall cavities and cabinets to prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria, not to mention compromise structural integrity. This is known as secondary damage. Microbial growth will occur on the paper surface of gypsum wallboard if allowed to remain wet for extended periods of time. In most cases, this form of damage requires the removal of the affected material.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to dry these spaces effectively, helping you manage the restoration process while preventing secondary damage.

Drying Wall Cavities

Wet walls can present a challenge to water damage restoration professionals. Walls are usually covered with a variety of finished surfaces, making choosing the appropriate drying technique difficult. Here's how to handle different scenarios:

  1. Standard Wallboard with Flat Paint: Use an air mover to blow warm, dry air along the wall surface. This method is generally sufficient for walls with a single layer of wallboard.
  2. Walls with Vinyl Wallpaper or Multiple Layers: Drill holes to facilitate airflow within the cavity, which increases evaporation rates. Connect air movers to a dehumidifier or use direct heat to enhance drying.
  3. Baseboard Technique: To minimize repairs, remove baseboards and drill holes at floor level. This hides the holes once the baseboard is replaced, simplifying post-restoration repairs.
  4. Concrete Block Overlays: If drywall is mounted over concrete blocks without insulation, it’s generally dryable without invasive techniques.
  5. Extensively Damaged Walls: For walls with severe moisture damage, removing wet wallboard and insulation might be necessary. Evaluate this option carefully, as it is the most disruptive and costly.

Typically, gypsum wallboard that has not sustained primary damage will restore quite well. All of the gypsum's strength is restored through the drying process, and sometimes even enhanced. Minimal swelling can sometimes occur, causing tape joints and fastener heads to become visible. If this should happen, and repairs cannot be made, the wallboard must be replaced.

Illustration showing the composition of concrete, tile, steel, double wallboard, standard gypsum wallboard and firewall walls from the side

Drying Cabinets / Vanities

When drying cabinets and vanities, it is essential that restoration professionals take extra care to minimize damage while still thoroughly drying the structure. Unlike drywall, which can be easily patched and painted, holes drilled into cabinets cause permanent damage that ruins the entire cabinet (and greatly upsets the homeowner).

  1. Toe-Kick Drilling: The best non-invasive approach is to drill holes through the toe-kick, which is often removable or replaceable.
  2. Alternative Drilling Points: If toe-kick access isn't available, consider drilling through the bottom shelving, the wall behind the cabinets, or the cabinet’s back wall where holes are less noticeable and easier to repair.

General Safety and Compliance

When drilling holes for your wall drying system, always use an adjustable drill stop to minimize penetrating plumbing or electrical lines hidden behind the wall.

Be sure to follow the EPA's Lead RRP procedures when drilling into drywall in buildings built before 1978. Older buildings may have lead paint, and it is essential for the protection of you, your crew, and building occupants that safe lead abatement procedures are followed.

For additional guidance on specific equipment or techniques, and to ensure compliance with the latest industry standards, contact a Jon-Don restoration expert at 1-800-556-6366.

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Dry Air Typhoon® Three‑Speed Air Mover
Dry Air SKU# DA-TY-EA
The Typhoon offers a powerful 0.4 HP motor with 3 run speeds for all your drying challenges. Best of all, it only draws 3.0 amps! The two onboard GFCI outlets let you daisy chain multiple air movers, so you don't have to search for extra outlets. Just plug two fans into the Typhoon to eliminate the need for extension cords and power blocks.
Add to cart to see price
Out of stock accepting backorders.
Viking PDS‑21 Pressurized Wall Drying System
Viking SKU# RP-PDS21-EA
While it may look like a traditional air mover, the PDS-21 is actually a self-contained wall cavity drying powerhouse that delivers hot air—up to 205°F—into difficult-to-dry areas, such as under sinks, behind cabinets, and under permanent furniture.
$883.95
In stock
Tramex Non‑Destructive Moisture Encounter Plus
Tramex SKU# DA-NPMEP-EA
This upgraded version of the popular non-destructive moisture meter tests wood, plaster, drywall, block, brick, roofing, and most materials found in the building envelope using three ranges of sensitivity. Detects elevated moisture and more!
SKU UnavailableNo Longer in Stock
FLIR MR160 Imaging Moisture Meter
Flir SKU# OE-MR160-EA
The MR160 Imaging Moisture Meter from FLIR is designed to instantly show professional contractors temperature differences in surface materials, allowing them to confirm the presence of moisture using penetrating or non-penetrating functions. Readings are compiled in a single, easy-to-read ice pallet.
$797.23
Ships Direct From Manufacturer.
Dri-Eaz Sahara Pro X3 TurboDryer Air Mover
Dri-Eaz SKU# DP-SPX3-EA
Professional restorers will find everything they need in the Sahara Pro X3: lower amp draw, 3 speeds, daisy chain capability, plus legendary Dri-Eaz durability and reliability.
SKU UnavailableNo Longer in Stock
Dri‑Eaz TurboVent 48 InterAir Drying System
Dri-Eaz SKU# DP-F108-EA
The Dri-Eaz TurboVent 48 fits over the snout of your Dri-Eaz Sahara TurboDryer, redirecting the air over a 48-inch-wide column. This handy accessory is ideal for drying wet walls and ceiling cavities and boosts the effectiveness of your drying equipment.
SKU UnavailableNo Longer in Stock
Dri‑Eaz TurboVent InterAir Drying System
Dri-Eaz SKU# DP-F200-EA
The TurboVent InterAir Drying System from Dri-Eaz is a handy air mover accessory that will help you dry difficult areas, such as cabinets, cupboards, and walls. Simply attach it to your Sahara air movers and begin ducting air into three different areas at once.
SKU UnavailableNo Longer in Stock
Injectidry HP‑PLUS Wall and Ceiling Package
Injectidry SKU# OE-HPPWCP-EA
The HP-PLUS Wall and Ceiling Drying Package is the improved version of Injectidry's HP60i wall and ceiling package. This unit is quieter (less than 60 dB), more powerful, and easier to set up than the original.
$5,379.00
In stock
Dri‑Eaz DriForce InterAir Drying System
Dri-Eaz SKU# DP-DF211-EA
Dry walls without damage! The Dri-Eaz DriForce InterAir Drying System dries almost anywhere: ceilings, behind cabinets, beneath built-ins, insulated walls, firewalls, & vinyl-covered walls. Can be used on positive or negative air pressure.
$3,347.53
In stock
Extech BR200 Wireless Video Borescope Inspection Camera
Extech SKU# OE-BR200-EA
The Video Borescope from Extech allows contractors to easily view and record high-quality images inside wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas.
SKU UnavailableNo Longer in Stock

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