What flooding does to drywall
Gypsum board absorbs water from the bottom up. Even a few centimetres of standing water can wick high into the board and into the insulation and framing behind it. Soft, crumbling, sagging or musty-smelling board should be removed; board that dried quickly and stayed firm can sometimes be kept.
The deciding factors are how long the water sat, whether it was clean water or sewage, and whether the cavity behind the wall dried out. Sewage-contaminated material and suspected mould are not drywall questions — they need proper remediation before new board goes up.
City of Ottawa support for flood repairs
After the July 1, 2026 storm, the City of Ottawa announced it will waive building permit fees for flood-related repairs. The City’s Compassionate Grant Program provides a one-time $1,000 payment to eligible property owners and tenants affected by basement flooding from a sewer surcharge — eligibility rules apply, including reporting the flood to the City within one calendar month. Details are on ottawa.ca under “Flooding rebates and grant”.
The City’s Residential Protective Plumbing Program offers rebates toward backwater valves and sump pumps that reduce the chance of a repeat flood, and the Province has activated Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians for eligible flood-affected areas. Confirm current eligibility with the City or your insurer before counting on any program.
Working with your insurance claim
Document everything before removal: photos of the waterline, the damaged walls and the affected rooms. Your insurer’s scope of work sets out what the claim covers; our estimate can be written to match that scope so you and the adjuster are comparing the same work.
Keep the flood report number, claim number and any City correspondence. If the scope changes once walls are opened — more damage than expected, or less — tell the adjuster before the work proceeds.
Rebuilding so it lasts
New board goes up only on dry framing. Where the design calls for it, moisture-resistant board is used near exterior walls and floor level. Joints are taped and finished in coats with drying time between them, then the surface is checked under normal light before primer and paint.
If the flood exposed other issues — settling cracks, an unfinished ceiling, a room you meant to renovate — bundling that work into the same rebuild is usually more efficient than a second project later.
