What to cut drywall with? Utility knife just like when you're hanging?

Box cutters work well

Utility knife, keyhole saw, or recip saw (if you have power and being careful around studs).

AW 1880 said:

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Utility knife, keyhole saw, or recip saw (if you have power and being careful around studs).

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Or if you're particularly handy you can use a circular saw with the depth of cut set to 1/2" so you won't cut the studs. Most builder homes use 1/2" sheetrock, some might be 5/8" sheetrock.

Ok so water is up to my countertops and isn't going down anytime soon. Let's say worst case scenario my house has 4-5 feet of water in it for 2weeks to a month. 2 story house. At what point does it become unsalvagable? Obviously I can't get in there till the water goes down and at 3 weeks isn't the upstairs going to be ****ed as well with mold and critters etc?

Trying to wrap my head around this stuff and if I can even ever go home again.

My guess is that most of the homes impacted that way by Addicks are going to have to be nearly completely gutted, at least on the first floor. Sitting in September heat with 5' of water inside and no a/c is a recipe to fill the entire house with mold. The sheet rock is probably going to pull water all the way to the ceiling through capillary action. Studs are going to be wanting to rot as well. Not sure shaving them will be possible after sitting that long. I have two different friends with 5-6' in their houses from Addicks, and I am assuming we will be helping to gut their houses sometime in Late September or October.

I would gut. If I even built there again. The crazy thing is 3' extra of foundation doesn't even save you from the same event.

So sorry, man

hatchback said:

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AW 1880 said:

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Utility knife, keyhole saw, or recip saw (if you have power and being careful around studs).

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Or if you're particularly handy you can use a circular saw with the depth of cut set to 1/2" so you won't cut the studs. Most builder homes use 1/2" sheetrock, some might be 5/8" sheetrock.

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That would create a lot of dust. If a utility knife works well (does it?), I'd rather use that.

When our house in Houston flooded during Claudette in '79 my dad and I used the circular saw method described above and it worked pretty well. Just wear a mask with a good filter.

If you have an oscillating saw, that will help too

Just spent most of the day using a 4.5" circular saw and oscillating saw to remove drywall. Works a lot better than a utility knife or hand drywall saw. It does create a lot of dust.

Wrong thread

These aerial shots, wow...

THAT HAS TO BE AN UNCONTROLLED RELEASE! I MEAN LOOK AT IT!

I guess asbestos in older homes will be an issue throughout the recovery

Jock 07 said:

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I guess asbestos in older homes will be an issue throughout the recovery

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I haven't run into it a lot in houses in the south. The nasty stuff was pipe insulation and it generally want used around here. Tiles are common, but those aren't friable unless you grind them up and do a rail.

Know anyone who's looking for a job?

https://careers.fema.gov/hurricane-harvey

Major back pedaling by 2 goodballs.

Bill getting defensive

eeaggie11 said:

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Just spent most of the day using a 4.5" circular saw and oscillating saw to remove drywall. Works a lot better than a utility knife or hand drywall saw. It does create a lot of dust.

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id never thought id be jealous of a flooded homeowner but I'm still underwater to about 4 feet and rising with the dam releases. I feel like it will be weeks before i can even start

AGnCS said:

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Bill getting defensive

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Explain?

They were talking out of their ass and viewers called them out on it. He said they were trying to be helpful.

Same here. In NF8. I'm afraid it will be weeks before it goes down. My house will be ruined.

texagpilot said:

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Same here. In NF8. I'm afraid it will be weeks before it goes down. My house will be ruined.

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yup, at what point is it cost prohibited to level the thing and put it on stilts....oh and its still not worth anything afterwards.

thrillawilla said:

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For those of y'all that where living here last year how close where these streets to flooding? I've seen video of the sports complex under water from last years flood but not heard anything about the streets being like this. Obviously this is a bigger event, but just curios.

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my neighborhood Fleetwood has never Flooded in its 40 years. It still didn't flood because of the rain. It flooded when they released the dam while Buffalo Bayou was at major flood stage which had never been done also. No one is required to have flood insurance in the neighborhood. Some people had it like me but most neighbors do not.

One additional point, a portable a.c. will act like a dehumidifier. Get some and large fans to move air around. Humidity will equilibriate in a house assuming you get air to move.

My portable unit has a dry function. Warm air will hold more water than cold air. A dehumidifier is an ac with a heater right after it. Empty water often or hook up drain line to outside.

~egon

Anyone know if the houstonian hotel is flooded?