I recently read the GA’s new FAQ on how to repair surface damage to Type X paper facers. Combined with recent news reports related to fire, that got me thinking: When fire services respond to a call, there is often both fire and water damage. What does the GA recommend in these situations?

Thanks for your question. Instances in which water damage and fire damage occur simultaneously are not unusual and are usually also accompanied by exposure to smoke. Many of the same strategies for assessment and recovery can be applied regardless of whether fire and water damage occur in tandem or as singular events.

First, let’s look at just the fire. For fire-rated assemblies, any assembly directly exposed to the fire should be rebuilt. For rated assemblies not exposed directly to the fire, it is always best to have a certified/licensed fire protection engineer or inspector assess them and determine if they are still capable of performing as designed in case of a future fire. For non-fire rated assemblies exposed directly to the fire, replacement is also suggested as the exposed gypsum board would have experienced adequate heat to begin calcination. The board may be brittle, the paper face burned off, etc. Gypsum board in non-exposed rooms, should be assessed by a specialist to determine the extent, if any, of replacement. 

However, as you point out, fires also result in exposure to water. Water is easier to assess. First, it is critical to determine if the studs and other materials in the wall cavity are dry and undamaged. It is likely that at least some gypsum board will be removed to inspect the cavity and require replacement. If it can be verified that the contents of the wall cavity are dry and undamaged, a thorough examination of the board itself is necessary: The panels must be dry and free of mold with the paper facing completely intact. If in doubt, play it safe and replace the board. The GA video supplement to GA-231 Assessing Water Damage to Gypsum Board lays out assessment and recovery strategies around water damage.

Smoke damage is very subjective. In the case of visible smoke damage, such as signs of soot, the panels must be repaired. Some individuals claim to smell smoke in sealed and repainted rooms years after a fire. Other people never catch a hint of the odor. Restoration services exist that are licensed and bonded, and these specialists should be consulted to determine if restoration without replacement is possible.

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