Chinese drywall potentially toxic
Residents living in homes constructed during the housing boom earlier this decade may be surrounded by a potentially threatening compound.
How can you tell if your customer’s home (or your own) may have Chinese-made drywall?
- The home has a foul smell: Homeowners with Chinese-made drywall complain of a strong odor of sulfur, or what smells like rotten eggs.
- Metal and copper are corroded: Chinese drywall is reported to corrode metal and copper, notably air-conditioning coils and electrical wiring, with a black coating. This wiring may pose a fire hazard.
- The manufacturer: Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, Knauf Gips, and Taishan Gypsum Co. are among the known manufacturers of the product and have been targeted in various lawsuits.
Studies are still being done to determine possible health issues, but many homeowners are concerned about the potential effects of long-term exposure to the drywall.
Some home inspection companies rated on Angie’s List have begun adding drywall testing to their list of available services.