If you’re wondering what to do if you have toxic drywall, and whether you should have a Chinese drywall inspection, here’s some information to help you find out what you need to know.
Chinese drywall was used during the housing boom that occurred after the devastating 2005 hurricane season that damaged so many homes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Unfortunately, roughly five hundred million pounds of imported Chinese sheetrock ended up being defective.
What are the symptoms for defective Chinese sheetrock? How can you know that you have this flawed building material? What are your options if you find that you do have it installed in your home? These are just some of the questions you might have regarding this material.
Why is Chinese Drywall a Problem?
From testing at state health departments, it has been discovered that Chinese gypsum board contains heavy concentrations of sulfuric and organic compounds, much higher than American made counterparts. The samples tested also contained high levels of strontium sulfide, an ingredient which emits a sulfurous odor.
When exposed to warm, moist air, this rotten egg smell becomes noticeable. While complaints first surfaced in Florida, any location with warmth and humidity can fall prey to toxic drywall problems. Your home can be affected by this material. Plus, some tainted drywall from China has been found to contain phosphogypsum, a radioactive substance.
Drywall was first imported into the United States from China in about 2001. After the destructive hurricane season in 2005, there was an extreme shortage of American made drywall, and the U.S. was flooded with the imported drywall.
Many homes had to be rebuilt in various locations due to the severe storms experienced throughout the Atlantic as well as the Gulf of Mexico, including Hurricane Katrina. There was no choice except to import drywall from China.
How to Tell If You Have Defective Drywall
There are several ways to check your drywall.
1. The sulfurous smell will be prevalent.
2. Any metal in contact with the drywall will be corroded, especially copper. Any wiring will be corroded as well. Corrosion will be black in color.
3. Appliances and electronics will start to fail with no explanation.
4. If the drywall is newer than 2001, it has a strong possibility of being toxic drywall from China.
5. Close examination of the drywall may find Chinese lettering or markings.
6. A Chinese drywall inspection will find evidence to support the claim.
What Can Be Done If You Have Toxic Drywall?
If you suspect you have toxic drywall installed in your home, you should arrange for a drywall inspection right away. Professionals can use their experience to determine if this type of drywall was used in your home. You need the peace of mind a professional drywall inspection can bring you.
If your inspection determines that you do have toxic drywall in your home, removing the drywall and replacing it is a given considering the circumstances.
Many homeowners have filed class action lawsuits against contractors when considering the expense of gutting and rebuilding their homes.
A Chinese drywall inspection is ultimately the only means to determine if you have this toxic material causing problems in your home. A free drywall inspection will help you determine whether or not you have the toxic drywall in your home.