Wet Sheet Rock question

[meanwhile]

Roof leaked last night and today, will leak all night tonight too, nothing I can do about it tonight......leaked into 2nd floor Loft area, and then...down into the wall of a downstairs closet...then onto the floor. The walls, floor that are wood will dry out...we have fans on them. But - the closet wall is sheet rock and soaking wet. It stinks too. The former owner had put a plaster coating all over it and that is showing wet....the whole thing stinks.

Can I dry the sheet rock out or should I just plan to rip it out? Thanks.

[NE Agrarian]

It may dry but it will likely mold and definitely stain. In my experience it was much easier to rip it out and put up new. If it is just in the closet it will likely be just a small area that you would have to replace.

[meanwhile]

Yes, it is just one wall of the closet. The rest of the wet area is solid wood and is already drying with fans on it. We sniffed around and it is definanently the sheet rock stinking.

[NE Agrarian]

I would just replace it. Pretty simple fix and you won't have to worry about mold and staining. The bad smell tells me that the mold may already be starting.

[Jeff54321]

Make certain that your new sheet rock was not made in China.

[meanwhile]

Thank you -- yes, I thought about that China sheetrock mess. Will be careful. Thank you