How to repair water-damaged wall?

Vikki0405

Help, bad tap seal leaked from shower tap through into hallway skirting board behind shower. No idea how long it was leaking. Removed wet skirting board from hallway wall when i found small amount of water on hallway floor directing behind shower. Tore a bit of paint off the wall which revealed mild mold on wall above skirting board in hallway. Silicone has been replaced in shower and no more leaks. Been pressure tested for other leaks and all clear. Do i need to open the wall to remove mould professionally? No mould had come through paint in hallway or through tiles in shower. House built 1993.

Do i need to open wall to check condition of possible water damage to base plate?

JacobZ

Hi @Vikki0405,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

I am sorry to hear of the issue you are experiencing, and I'll do my best to help.

The first thing I'd suggest is you contact your home insurer as policies will sometimes cover the cost of rectifying damages caused by leaks. If that's the case, then your insurer will likely appoint an assessor who will then direct the process.

It sounds like the leak has been identified and resolved, which is the most important first step. The next priority is making sure the wall is structurally sound and the affected area is completely dry and free of mould.

If the leak has persisted for a long time unnoticed, there is potential that the framing has rotted and structural issues can result, which means the framing may need to be repaired or replaced. Given that you’ve already found visible mould behind the skirting, there is a reasonable chance there is some mould within the wall cavity. Also, noting that you are unaware of how long the leak was present, I'd be inclined to say you have the plasterboard removed so the mould can be addressed, and the internal framing can be inspected.

When you can see inside the wall, then you can check the framing for rot be poking it with a screwdriver. If the timber has rotted, then it will need to be replaced. If this is the case, I'd suggest you contact a carpenter for their assistance.

You will also be able to see the extent of the mould growth. If it is small, then you may be able to kill the mould with a mould killer, ensuring you wear gloves, eye protection and a mask while doing so, and then dry out the cavity using things like an air blower, a dehumidifier and moisture absorbers. If the mould is extensive, then you may need to get in touch with a mould removal specialist.

Once you are confident the framing is solid and the wall cavity is free from mould, then you would need to close in the wall, plaster, paint and then replace the skirting.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob