Chinese drywall, brought into the United States to ameliorate a building materials shortage during the recent homebuilding boom, continues to be a drag on the health and finances of both home owners and home builders. In the years since its initial use, much of the drywall has proven to be noxiously defective, emitting sulfuric gasses that are harmful to humans, and that corrode metal components within the walls, including wiring and HVAC components. In response to these ongoing issues, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently released a guidelines report, providing home builders and home owners with reasonable approaches for coping with the problem.
The report, authored by the NAHB’s Chinese Drywall Task Force and released March 16th, is the culmination of over a year of research and investigation by the group, and outlines a “plan of attack” for addressing problematic drywall in homes. The problems faced by the building industry due to the importation of problematic drywall offer no simple or inexpensive solutions. However, experience indicates that effective identification, testing and remediation strategies can limit exposure and vulnerabilities and ultimately provide a solution for the homeowner and for the building industry.
Among the suggestions of the report:
• Replacement of all low-voltage wiring in the home. • Complete removal of all identified toxic drywall. • Full-cleaning of the home to make sure that all traces of the drywall have been removed. • For homes in which defective drywall was exclusively used, complete removal and replacement of all drywall • Relocation of the residents of any home where work is undertaken.
Critics have questioned some of the guidelines, including recommendations to only replace low-voltage wiring. Results from federal studies on the corrosive nature of the drywall and its effects on wiring are due to be released soon, and some suggest that those findings will show that NAHB recommendations do not go far enough in this regard.
Although reports of toxic drywall have been levied in 42 of the nation’s 50 states, Florida has been overwhelmingly affected by Chinese drywall, with 57% of all reports of defective drywall originating in that state. Other states heavily-affected include Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia. Estimates on the number of homes constructed using the material range from 60,000 to 100,000.
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