What do you do if your house has Chinese drywall?

If you suspect that you have Chinese drywall in your home, you should have it tested. You’ll need to find a reputable inspector to confirm that it is the contaminated Chinese drywall. If you do have Chinese drywall, it should also be reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

How much does it cost to fix Chinese drywall?

Many homeowners have played $30,000 to $40,000 or more to have all of the drywall replaced, as well as the wiring, A/C, and other damaged hardware in their home. Pricing can depend on the area you live in, the square footage of the home, and whether or not you need a permit to do the work.

Who tests for Chinese drywall?

The Federal Interagency Task Force has performed significant testing of drywall and homes, and found a strong association between the problem drywall, the hydrogen sulfide levels in homes with that drywall, and corrosion in those homes.

What is wrong with Chinese drywall?

The contaminated drywall has high levels of sulfur, which may be responsible for a rotten egg smell in affected homes, blackened or corroded pipes, failure of air conditioners and other household appliances, and health problems such as asthma, coughing, headaches, sore throats, and irritated eyes.

Does homeowners insurance cover Chinese drywall?

a day ago
Chinese drywall caused damage that was barred from coverage under a homeowners insurance policy because of several exclusions for (1) faulty, inadequate, or defective materials; (2) latent defects; (3) rust or corrosion; and (4) pollution.

Do you have to disclose Chinese drywall?

Even if the home is sold “as is,” a seller by law has obligation to disclose anything that affects value of the property. There is no law a seller has to do an inspection. If something wrong surfaces, the buyer has to prove the seller knew about it. The average cost of fixing a home with drywall is about $100,000.

When did they stop using Chinese drywall?

“Chinese drywall” refers to an environmental health issue involving defective drywall manufactured in China, imported to the United States and used in residential construction between 2001 and 2009 – affecting “an estimated 100,000 homes in more than 20 states.”.

When was Chinese drywall banned?

“It also ensures that none of the Chinese drywall that came in in 2006 and 2007 will be recycled and reused in any other homes.” Consumer advocates estimate that 100,000 homes were built with the high-sulfur drywall.

Is Chinese drywall illegal?

The substance has been banned for use in U.S construction since 1989. Tests of drywall samples by the EPA and the Florida Department of Health showed radioactivity at levels no higher than those ordinarily found in the natural environment.

What is considered defective drywall?

For the purposes of this section the term “defective drywall” means gypsum wallboard that (i) contains elemental sulfur exceeding 10 parts per million that when exposed to heat or humidity, or both, emits volatile sulfur compounds in quantities that cause observable corrosion on electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, fuel …

Can Chinese drywall affect my health?

What are the health symptoms and risks of Chinese drywall? The most frequently reported symptoms are irritated and itchy eyes and skin, difficulty in breathing, persistent cough, bloody noses, runny noses, recurrent headaches, sinus infection, and asthma attacks.

Does the US import drywall from China?

An analysis covering drywall imports since January 2006 showed that more than 550 million pounds (250,000 t) of Chinese drywall was brought into the United States since then, enough to build 60,000 average-sized homes.

Is there a problem with Chinese drywall in the US?

Along the Gulf Coast and across the country, it’s being called a “silent hurricane.” Between 2004 and 2007, an estimated 100,000 homes in more than 20 states were built with toxic drywall imported from China. Emissions from the drywall corrode plumbing and electrical systems. Homeowners also blame them for headaches and respiratory ailments.

When did toxic Chinese drywall create a housing disaster?

Toxic Chinese Drywall Creates A Housing Disaster Between 2004 and 2007, an estimated 100,000 homes in more than 20 states were built with toxic drywall imported from China.

Where was the Chinese drywall found in Florida?

A large chunk of Chinese drywall from the Alfonso Sanchez home in Davie, Fla., leans against the wall of his house. That discoloration of copper, brass and other metal surfaces is one of the telltale signs of toxic drywall.

How much does it cost to replace Chinese drywall?

Homeowners also blame them for headaches and respiratory ailments. Replacing Chinese drywall in the United States could cost $15 billion to $25 billion, according to National Underwriter, an insurance industry publication.

When to get rid of Chinese drywall in your home?

The term “Chinese drywall” refers to imported drywall that was installed between the years 2001 and 2009. If your home contains this type of drywall, it poses a serious hazard to your health and to the safety of your home. Getting rid of the drywall and making your home safe again can be a major project, as you must replace all of the drywall.

Where does the back of Chinese drywall come from?

Drywall usually has a source printed on the back. Chinese drywall may be marked Made in China, China, Knauf Tianjin, or have no marking at all. A home may have been built with drywall from several sources, American and imported.

Are there any health problems with Chinese drywall?

Though the problem was known in 2008, it was installed in some homes in 2009 as well. This defective drywall emits large amounts of corrosive sulfur gases. This can cause health problems, including headaches, irritated eyes, skin and throats and numerous types of respiratory problems.

Is there a final order on the Chinese drywall settlement?

A federal judge has issued a final order in the $248 million drywall settlement that includes a master list of more than 3,000 drywall victims. If you’re not on the list, the judge has set Wednesday as the deadline to file a claim to be eligible for any money. Visit chinesedrywallsettlement.com for more information.