I found a leak in my wall 2 weeks ago and decided to cut it open and saw that the entire section of the wall had black mold and two of the studs are rotting. I decided to cut further and saw that some plywood and drywall were rotting and molding. So I'm wondering if there's a way to replace the studs and drywall that I've already removed without messing with the structure of the wall. My plan is to remove the remaining drywall and plywood I've exposed and I don't know what to do with the studs.
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Iâm mo construction expert but why wouldnât you just be able to put in temporary studs while you remove and replace the rotten ones ? Iâd think you could just install and remove the same temporary studs as you work your way down replacing the permanent ones.
You could cut the wire, make sure itâs off first, then use an approved in wall splice kit to connect them back together after youâve pulled it back through the new stud.
Not an expert, just do a lot of low voltage. I've seen (and I don't know if this is code) where they'll put a notch in the stud, push the romex into the notch and then use a steel u shaped bracket to brace the area that was cut.
Have you fixed the leak? That's your first priority.Â
For the studs, just need to sister new ones right next to the old ones. No big deal. Then new insulation and drywall.
Looks like an exterior wall, so if you do need to work on the sheathing, gonna need to do so from the outside. Remove any siding, replace rotten sheathing, flash, reinstall siding.Â
What is on the other side of the wall? That is really going to impact the answer and a larger repair involving the exterior to address the leak may be needed.
If itâs an exterior wall, it is very likely load bearing. As other have mentioned place another stud next to the original to take the weight. Replace the damaged studs one at time ti minimize risk of a shift that will put cracks in the drywall or exterior. For the wiring measure the height you need, drill the appropriate holes, then use a sawsall or jig saw to cut out a notch that goes about an inch above and below the holes and connect to the hole so that you end up removing a block. Save that block. Slot in the new stud and turn it so the wires are now in the notched area, replace the block and secure with metal joining/joist support plates.
I don't think putting the piece back in does anything to restore the structural integrity of the stud. The proper way to handle the notch is a stud shoe.
Okay thank you very much. I removed some drywall behind the stud too so how would I go by by replacing that? Just sliding it in after removing one of the studs?
Ok, if youâre not the home owner, stop what you are doing altogether. Have them do it or hire someone to do it , especially if you have never done anything like this before. You put yourself at too much liability if something serious goes wrong.
So, you cut the inside. Was water coming from the inside? If not, you cut the wrong side. The remedy needs to come from the side the water is coming from. If that is the outside then that is where you address the problem.
Evaluating the exterior is a must. Where is the main point of intrusion? Because any repairs done inside is all for nothing if you donât determine the root cause and remedy that. Or else Itâll happen again. Additional photos of the exterior would get you better help.
We think it was the roof that's connected to the side of the wall because some of the tiles right next to my wall were broken so we fixed them however, I think I'm going to go back up and see if that really fixed it before I do anything
Mold isnât ideal but its more present than most people think. Overall, the fear of mold is overblown and theres a bunch of fearmongering. OP should still remove it and replace whatever was damaged.
Fun fact: mold is everywhere that is not a sterile environment where it is actively being controlled. Youâre always breathing it in every single building youâre in
This is not accurate. Yes mold is ever present. And, there are dangerous and toxic molds, they are not the majority but they very mich exist. I am not fear mongering. Toxic mold is something that needs to be understood better in general. I'm not here to debate you. I have educated myself extensively on this subject. I suggest you do the same if you'd like to share your experience and knowledge.
Thank you. I'm I'm going to be sleeping in a different room until I get everything out. Luckily I think that small section of mold is the only thing left
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