Water Damage Drywall Repair in the St. Louis Metro

A roof leak, burst pipe, ice dam, or overflowing tub leaves drywall stained, soft, and sometimes hiding mold. Nations Drywall has repaired water-damaged drywall and ceilings across the St. Louis metro since 2007 — 4.9-star rated on Google, BBB A+ accredited, with a one-year warranty. We make it look like the leak never happened.

Signs your drywall has water damage

• Brown or yellow staining rings on a ceiling or wall
• Drywall that feels soft, spongy, or bubbling
• Sagging ceilings or a visible bulge
• Peeling paint, blistering, or a musty smell (possible mold behind the board)
• Tape seams cracking or lifting after a leak

How we repair water-damaged drywall

1. Confirm the source is fixed. We won’t repair over an active leak — if it isn’t fixed, we’ll tell you.
2. Assess & dry. Moisture-meter the area, remove saturated material, let the cavity dry.
3. Cut out damaged board back to sound material; check framing and insulation for mold.
4. Replace, tape, three coats of mud, sand.
5. Texture match — sand swirl, popcorn, knockdown, orange peel, or level-5 smooth.
6. Prime & paint-ready, full clean-up.

Does insurance cover it?

Often yes — sudden, accidental water damage (burst pipe, ice dam, appliance failure) is commonly covered by homeowner’s insurance. We provide an itemized estimate suitable for your adjuster and a full invoice for reimbursement. Gradual leaks and flooding are usually excluded — check your policy.

Common questions

Will the stain bleed back through new paint?

Not when it’s primed with a stain-blocking primer first — which is exactly what we do.

Do I need mold remediation?

If the area was wet more than ~48 hours, possibly. We’ll show you what we find and refer a remediation pro if it’s beyond a drywall fix.

How long does it take?

A single ceiling stain is often a one-day repair (plus dry time); a full water-damaged room is usually two to three days.

Does the leak have to be fixed and the area dry before you repair the drywall?

Yes. The leak needs to be fixed and the area dried out before we repair anything. Repairing over moisture can make the repair fail early and can lead to mold. We check that the area is dry with a moisture meter, and by feel.

Can water-damaged drywall be repaired, or does it have to be replaced?

It depends on how wet it got. If the drywall got soaked and is physically damaged, or there’s a risk of mold, we cut it out and replace it. If the damage is mild, like a water stain or something minor, the drywall can often stay: we redo the seam and seal the stain with a stain-blocking primer.

What should I do right after I find water damage on a ceiling?

Put a fan on the area — it does wonders. If there’s a decent amount of water up there, poke a small weep hole in the drywall so the water drains into a bucket instead of spreading across the ceiling, where it causes more damage. A small hole is a lot easier and cheaper to fix than a whole ceiling.