Author: Anthony Kasek
If you're wondering what to do if you have toxic Chinese drywall, and whether you should have a Certified Chinese drywall inspection, here's some information to help you find out what you need to know.
Toxic Chinese Drywall was used during the housing boom that occurred after the devastating 2005 hurricane season that damaged so many homes in SW Florida cities like Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, Naples and Lehigh Acres. Unfortunately, roughly five hundred million pounds of imported Chinese drywall ended up being toxic.
What are the symptoms for toxic Chinese Drywall? 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 toxic dangerous material.
Why is Chinese Drywall a Problem?
From testing at state health departments and the CPSC it has been discovered that Chinese Drywall 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 SW Florida, any location with warmth and humidity can fall prey to toxic drywall problems. Your home can be affected by this material. Plus, some defective drywall from China has been found to contain phosphogypsum, a radioactive substance.
Chinese Drywall was first imported into the United States from China in 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 most affected cities in SW Florida. Along with the hosing boom from 2003-2007 the epicenter of the Chinese Drywall disaster seems to have been in Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Ft. Myers. 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 should be but not always 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 "Made in China".
6. A Chinese drywall inspection by a Certified Chinese Drywall Specialist 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 like the Chinese Drywall Guys located in Cape Coral 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 inspector 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 to date millions of dollars have been awarded to the victims.
A Chinese drywall inspection by a qualified Chinese Drywall Specialist is ultimately the only means to determine if you have this toxic material causing problems in your home.
If you're wondering what to do if you have toxic Chinese drywall, and whether you should have a Certified Chinese drywall inspection, here's some information to help you find out what you need to know.
Toxic Chinese Drywall was used during the housing boom that occurred after the devastating 2005 hurricane season that damaged so many homes in SW Florida cities like Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, Naples and Lehigh Acres. Unfortunately, roughly five hundred million pounds of imported Chinese drywall ended up being toxic.
What are the symptoms for toxic Chinese Drywall? 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 toxic dangerous material.
Why is Chinese Drywall a Problem?
From testing at state health departments and the CPSC it has been discovered that Chinese Drywall 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 SW Florida, any location with warmth and humidity can fall prey to toxic drywall problems. Your home can be affected by this material. Plus, some defective drywall from China has been found to contain phosphogypsum, a radioactive substance.
Chinese Drywall was first imported into the United States from China in 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 most affected cities in SW Florida. Along with the hosing boom from 2003-2007 the epicenter of the Chinese Drywall disaster seems to have been in Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Ft. Myers. 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 should be but not always 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 "Made in China".
6. A Chinese drywall inspection by a Certified Chinese Drywall Specialist 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 like the Chinese Drywall Guys located in Cape Coral 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 inspector 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 to date millions of dollars have been awarded to the victims.
A Chinese drywall inspection by a qualified Chinese Drywall Specialist is ultimately the only means to determine if you have this toxic material causing problems in your home.
To find a Qualified Certified Chinese Drywall Inspector, go to - http://chinesedrywallguys.com/.
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