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Chinese Drywall in Northeast Florida

Drywall

Here's some of the basics that I use when inspecting for Chinese drywall in Jacksonville, Florida, and surrounding areas. You can keep track of cases of Chinese drywall in Florida with this helpful map.

Most of the affected homes were built during the housing boom between 2004 and 2007, especially in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when domestic building materials were in short supply.

Exposure to high levels of airborne hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur compounds from contaminated drywall can result in the following physical ailments:
• sore throat
• sinus irritation
• coughing
• wheezing
• headache
• dry or burning eyes; and/or
• respiratory infections.
Asking the right questions can enable me to get this information from the seller.

An inspector can use the following tips to identify if a home’s drywall is contaminated:
• The house has a strong sulfur smell, often described as smelling like rotten eggs.
• Exposed copper wiring appears dark and corroded. Copper coils in refrigerators, air conditioners, and microwaves that are damaged in this manner can fail. Silver jewelry, silverware, coins, and even hinges can become similarly corroded and discolored after several months of exposure.
• A manufacturer’s label on the back of the drywall can be used to link it with manufacturers that are known to have used contaminated materials. One way to look for this is to enter the attic and remove some of the insulation. It can be difficult to find a label, but is necessary.
• Air sampling for the signs of the sulfur compounds emitted by Chinese drywall are available, but the laboratory cost to analyze can exceed $1500/sample.
• Drywall samples can be sent to a lab to be tested for dangerous levels of sulfur. This is also very expensive.
• Drywall installed from 2004-2007. This appears to be the time period during which most of the drywall in questions was installed, but inspectors should allow leeway on both sides of those dates.
• To identify the drywall, find a place where the backside is exposed (e.g., in the garage or attic where there is no insulation).
- Look for the words “CHINA” or in red ink or “KNAUF” in black ink. Anything that says "MADE IN CHINA" should be suspect.
- Look for C36 stamped on the back or edge tape, if available.
• Use your nose or listen to any complaints from the homeowner.
• Sample a number of electrical receptacles and look at the copper wiring as well as the A/C coil. If the copper is black, that indicates to us that there could be a problem.
• Homes with Chinese drywall installed may have darkened corners or even darkening in the middle of mirrors.
 

Some large manufacturers named in these lawsuits are Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, Knauf Gips, and Taishan Gypsum. Homes built by Lennar should be checked closely; they used Chinese drywall in 80 Florida homes. As many as 36,000 homes in Florida may have Chinese drywall. Most of the Florida homes affected have been in the Sarasota area, with a second concentration around Palm Beach; it has been found as far north as St. Augustine.

The only current remediation with Chinese drywall is to suffer the health effects or spend tens of thousands of dollars to have it replaced.

Please call JaxHomeSpy Home Inspections if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or if you want to find out if your dream home has Chinese drywall.  The best bet to comfort buyers is to have JaxHomeSpy Home Inspections inspect for and document the absence or presence of Chinese drywall in the home. The fee for our visual assessment is $199.00. We will provide a Chinese Drywall Clearance Letter as a part of the listing inspection if the home is found to be free!

If you have further questions or comments, or to schedule a Chinese drywall home inspection, please don't hesitate to call any time, 24/7. 904-534-0953.

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