Currently building a new office and over the weekend, it rained 4+ inches while the drywall was left outside and uncovered. It was not sitting in water as it was on a crate, but it seems to be very wet nonetheless.

The guys hired for the drywall are adamant that it will be fine to use it, but we have heard a few very insistent people in the know that say we should not, under any circumstances, let them use that drywall in the building. We tend to agree.

Any opinions from any builders here? Perhaps any good arguments for forcing them to replace the drywall that they plan to put up?

All the drywall I've seen get that wet has been severely screwed up, but I am not a builder.

There's a chance it will be fine, but I wouldn't bet on it. Drywall tends to get weak if it gets saturated with water. If it was just a light shower I'd have them trash the top sheet or two and let the rest air out inside the building, but since it was a 4" storm I would not take the chance with weak gyp, possible future bleed through and the chance of mold and fungus growth.

Thanks folks

I use manage construction if drywall gets wet no way I'd let a GC/sub use it on my project.

Then I'd ask WTF materials are being left outside that should be stored inside or at least covered.

I know a guy whose drywall for his entire house was delivered on a Friday and soaked overnight during a tornado...that was his last straw and he committed suicide. DON'T DO IT...but don't use that ruined drywall either!

It's kind of different if it gets wet once installed due to leak. No way in hell you should have to use that. I had my damn dog piss on the corner of my stack of drywall and I was worried. Get rid of it.

It should have been tarped if outside for an extended period of time. No way in hell I would use it. I did not stay out a holiday inn last night, but I did work for a large wallboard manufacturer, so I’m pretty familiar.

From the USG Gypsum Construction Handbook:

Protecting wallboard and other products from rain, snow, sunlight and
wind is important. Not only can the weather damage the board by soaking it, but exposure to weather
can do other harm not immediately obvious. For example, moisture could affect the bond of the face
paper to the gypsum core in a way that later creates problems in application and finishing. Also,
ultraviolet (UV) exposure from sunlight will ruin the ability of plaster base panels (blue board)
to act as a substrate for some veneer plasters.

If wallboard is left unprotected and then installed, moisture in the wall- board can provide
conditions favorable for mold, mildew and fungus growth, which, as discussed below, poses not only
aesthetic problems, but also serious health consequences.

Although board products are very heavy, high winds across their flat surfaces can provide “lift”
just as with an airplane wing, and thus wind can send heavy pieces of gypsum wallboard flying
through the air, causing damage and serious injuries.

(For more information on proper storage, see the Gypsum Associa- tion publication Handling and
Storage of Gypsum Panel Products: A Guide for Distributors, Retailers, and Contractors, GA-801-07,
avail-
able through gypsum.org.)


Not worth the risk. Make the contractor install new stuff.

Captn Dan is on point. Almost every spec book I've worked with in the last decade says it has to be tossed.

They are idiots and just dont want to be on the hook for materials, of course they will tell you its fine.