How can I efficiently replace the exterior drywall contaminated with mold between the outside wall and brick due to a water leak?
Asked by Louise Neal 
8 months ago
Last Updated: April 25, 2024
Hey, does anyone have any ideas on how to swap out the drywall on the outside wall that’s behind the brick? There was a leak and now there’s some mold. I’m thinking of just replacing the bottom part. My idea is to put two 2×6’s, one on top of the wall studs and one just above the section of drywall I want to replace. Then cut out the affected studs and drywall, replace them with new ones. What do you guys think?
Oh, it’s just gypsum board. Your plan should do the trick, even though it’s definitely a pain to deal with.
“Exterior drywall,” really? That’s interesting.
That’s correct, .
Millions of buildings rely on it for residential and commercial purposes.
That design is really not up to par.
You know, I’m not sure. It seems to act as a good barrier between the cold interior of the house and the hot, humid exterior. There’s an air gap between the brick and gypsum that runs all the way to the soffit and then out through the roof! I think the reason there was mold is because of leaks inside that prevented proper ventilation.
If you remove the drywall first, you can then spray the 2lb. closed cell foam directly against the brick to solve the issue. After that, put hardi plank sheets on the studs and use tile or drywall mud to blend everything together.
Make sure you have at least 3 inches of foam. It should be 2 pounds and closed cell. Feel free to call on Monday if you have any questions.
Exterior drywall – is that right?
Yeah, can you believe it? It’s actually made of some type of gypsum material. This is not how we usually construct houses in Pennsylvania, but this particular one was constructed in Northeast Texas in the early 1970s.
Oh, cement board is a great option for the exterior. It lasts a long time.
Definitely. It’s commonly known as exterior gypsum.
Hey, don’t forget to make sure the brick is securely tied to the studs before you start cutting them out.
Oh wow, I’ve never heard of that before. Where exactly was the vapor barrier located? 🤔