When your home is damaged by something like water or fire, there is a lot to be done in the restoration of your home. This can include demolition of things like drywall and carpet in your home. There may be some drywall that can be cleaned and not need replacing. Knowing how to cut out the damaged materials to prepare for renovations can help save you money on repairs. Here are some tips to help you with the repairs to drywall after damage to your home:

1. Cleaning Stains And Smells From Drywall That Is In Good Shape

There may be many unpleasant smells that are left behind after a fire or flood. These can be embedded in the drywall and other materials. To get the smells out, you may want to steam clean carpets, flooring and upholstery in your home. For drywall, you can use a mild cleaning solution and damp sponge to clean the wall. To make cleaning easier and quicker, use a sponge-style mop to clean the walls. Make sure the sponge is only damp, so you do not cause more water damage while cleaning.

2. Cutting Drywall That Has Been Under Water And Severely Damaged

There is likely to be drywall that has to be removed when your home is damaged. Drywall that has been under water can be cut lose and removed. Where drywall has been sitting in water, make a line at 4-feet up from the floor. This should be the seam of the first row of sheathing. Cut the tap line with a utility knife and remove the drywall; leaving the upper section that has not been damaged.

3. Removing Sections Of Ceiling Drywall That Is Too Damaged To Reuse 

You may also have ceilings that have been damaged by water or a fire. Here, you will also want to remove the drywall. Start in one area and cut out small sections that are 2-feet-square. When you find the tape-line, make a mark on the ceiling and cut the larger damaged sections out. If there is blown-in insulation, you can use a shop vacuum to remove it before you take the drywall out. For other types of insulation, remove the materials as you do the demolition.

4. Removing Trim To Prepare For Repairs To Drywall And Other Materials

There may also be pieces of trim that have to be removed when you do repairs to your home. Some of the materials may need to be thrown away, but others might be good enough to reuse. Before you start demolition to drywall, remove all the trim and store it in a safe place to put it back after all the drywall repairs have been completed. You may also want to remove cabinets in your home, which may not be worth saving if they are older and cannot be matched. It is often more affordable to completely replace them.

These are some tips to help you with repairs to drywall after your home is damaged. If you need help getting your home back together after a disaster, contact cabinet dealers to get the materials you need to replace the cabinets in your home. To learn more, contact a company like CFA Cabinetry.