Chinese Drywall
Chinese Sheetrock

The following is information obtained by reliable resources and is intended to give a better understanding of the Chinese Drywall problem.  The information is believed to be true and accurate to the best of todays knowledge.  This information is a guideline and is to be used as such.
Pictures are taken from the http://www.serpefirm.com/practice_areas/chinese-drywall-claims.cfm

    First of all what the heck is Chinese Sheetrock and what is the problem with it?

This information is from one of the leading Analytical labs in the United States.  Testing for this costs about $4,000-$5,000

    Identifying Source Odors from Chinese Sheetrock with EMSL Analytical.  It has been reported that drywall imported between 2004-2006 from certain areas in China, can release sulfur-like odorous components. These compounds can corrode air conditioning coils and other copper-bearing materials, causing them to be replaced repeatedly. It has been determined that the problem is related to presence of iron disulfide (FeS2 pyrite). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbonyl sulfide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon disulfide (CS2) are also suspected as culprits. There have been reports that large quantities of drywall produced in China were kept on sea barges for months awaiting permission for importation to the USA. This drywall has a higher than typical density and a higher propensity to off-gas sulfur compounds.Drywall is usually made of gypsum (hydrated calcium sulfate). Therefore, sulfur is one of the main components present in the sample. All drywall has sulfur in its elemental composition; therefore the odor is not explained by an analysis of the total sulfur content. The extent of the indoor air quality issues related to this is still unclear. EPA is currently investigating the severity of the problem. However, it is well known that exposure to sulfur compounds can create irritation and breathing disorders. EMSL's approach for the analysis of drywall samples is diverse. The possible avenues are outlined below: 1. Analysis of the drywall samples for presence for presence of iron and Fe2S by X-ray Fluorescence by X-ray Fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, or light microscopy. 2. Analysis for presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and H2S using an environmental chamber.3. Copper corrosion test can be performed to identify and confirm the presence of substandard drywall (exposure of fresh copper coupons to subsamples of the odorous drywall in presence of humidity).4. Sulfur odors may also be produced when anaerobic bacteria utilize certain molecules for growth. Therefore, endotoxin analysis for gram negative bacterial contamination and anaerobic plate count may be recommended.You could choose one test or combinations of these tests, depending on the level of the analysis you would like to achieve. Price:Test 1: $600/sample (10-business day TAT; call for shorter TAT?s)Test 2: $1200/sample for first sample; $950/sample for any subsequent sample in the same order (15-business day TAT, no shorter TAT?s available)Test 3: $1800/sample (20 businesses day TAT, no shorter TAT?s available)Test 4: $130/sample (6+ business day TAT) For further information contact Dr. Eugenia Mirica at 1-800-220-3675 ext. 1247 Yours Truly,EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Now that we know the problem.  Is there any way to tell if you have it?

There are tell tale signs of the sheetrock and they are below.
This information is from a great lawyer  who is representing many people and if you want more information call Richard J. Serpe at 1-866-573-6691

THE NOSE KNOWS!

Is there a rotten egg/sulphur smell in the house?  Smaller rooms with poor circulation and upstairs room seem to have higher concentrations of odor.

Now, be aware that water heaters that have been off for a long time also emit this odor.  So be careful!  If it smell like this when you turn on the hot water...its most likely the water heater.

I can see clearly....well almost

There are about 5 different makes of the Chinese sheetrock on ONLY one put their name brand on it KNAUF.  The others did not, but the vast majority of the time have "MADE IN CHINA" written on the sheetrock somewhere.  The attic is a great location to look.  Push away the sheetrock and look for MADE IN CHINA or the KNAUF-TIANJI as pictured above.

Get Out Your Tape Measure!

Sheets of drywall come in different thicknesses, with the most common being ½ inch and 5/8 inch. The vast majority of contaminated drywall that we have seen is of the ½inch variety. If yours is thicker, it does not rule out the possibility of contamination, but should make you "breathe a little easier." If the thickness is ½ inch, you might have the contaminated Chinese drywall. Drywall also comes in different lengths. Two typical lengths are 8 feet and 12 feet (with the width being the same at 4 feet on both). Much of the contaminated Chinese drywall comes in sheets which are the longer 4' x 12'.  This can become important as you look around your house for signs of the Chinese label. It is not unusual for drywall contractors to utilize 4' x 12' sheets for the walls, but because of the added weight and cumbersome size, revert to using 4' x 8' sheets for the ceiling. So, if you are able to get into your attic (please be careful!) and push aside the insulation of the ceiling, you may not find the "Made in China" label. Consider the fact that your walls may have been made with a different drywall, so that you could have contaminated walls, but not contaminated ceiling. It has also been commonly reported that the Chinese drywall is of inferior surface consistency, suffering from bumps and waves. This may be a clue for you to take note of, and is also a reason why drywall contractors resorted to using American drywall for ceilings.

This wire just doesn't look right!

Notice how black the copper wire is

(Once again, I must stress the importance of exercising extreme caution! Coming into contact with live electrical wires will likely cause a severe injury or death. You should seek professional assistance in working with electrical wiring. Simply shutting off the circuit breaker is not a guarantee!)

The gaseous sulfur which is released from the Chinese drywall wreaks havoc on electrical wires and appliances. One of the most common findings of our investigations is the corrosion of the electrical wires connected to the outlets in a home with Chinese drywall. This is particularly true of the ground wire which is made of copper, and exposed to the contaminated air behind the walls which may have a higher concentration of the sulfur gas. Here is a picture of a ground wire which has suffered extensive corrosion despite having been in place for a short amount of time.  Your electrician or inspector, with experience in checking electrical connections, will immediately be able to tell you that the wire is corroded. The typical comment is, "This does not look like a wire that's only a couple years old and looks like it's 50 years old!" Unfortunately, the damage is not limited to corroded wires. Many of our clients have experienced complete loss of televisions, computers, major appliances, and even iPods and cell phones. Worse, once the electrical grounds have corroded through, homes are at risk of electrical fires.

Get a Check Up for Your Air-Conditioning System

     GOOD SHINY COIL                       BAD BLACK OXIDIZED COIL

As gaseous sulfur is released from contaminated Chinese drywall, the air inside the home (referred to as the “ambient” air) builds up concentrations of sulfur. When your air-conditioning system kicks on, the contaminated air is pulled into the air-conditioning system and routed through the duct work and through the evaporator coils. As you can see, these coils are then subjected to concentrated volumes of the contaminated air blowing across them for extended periods of time. The environment on the evaporator coils is cold. As the warm moist air blows across them, sulfur precipitates out of the air and is caught in the "condensate" or moisture on the coils. A chemical process unfolds causing significant corrosion of the air conditioning coils. One of the most common problems homeowners with contaminated Chinese drywall experience is the loss of their air-conditioning system. One of our clients in Virginia received a letter from his builder indicating that air-conditioning coils were failing repeatedly throughout the development. Another drywall victim had 10 separate coils replaced between March and December of one year. Of greater concern, is the possibility that deterioration of air-conditioning components will allow the venting or release of "Freon," or other refrigerants used in the air conditioning system. If these gases are allowed to escape into your house, your family could be breathing them in. The scientific technicians with whom we are working report that the concentrations of these gases can be higher than the sulfur content in the air! You may consider having your air-conditioning technician or maintenance company come out to do a check-up on your system. Make sure you are there when they arrive. Go with them when they evaluate the coils in your unit and ask them to specify if they see any corrosion of the coils. Of equal importance, make sure the technician measures the amount of refrigerant in the system and reports back to you whether there has been a significant loss of this dangerous chemical. If so, it may be possible that you are experiencing leaks into your home from corrosion or "pinholes" that the sulfur has eaten into your air-conditioning system. One of the nations leading law firms can be found at www.serpefirm.com and contact them for your legal rights.

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13650 Fiddlesticks Blvd.  Suite 202-399 Fort Myers, Florida  33912 Website:  www.bestinspector.com  Email:  russell@bestinspector.com 

We have been able to obtain a great checklist for the Chinese Drywall Situation that has hit our area.  There are companies out there that are charging extra for this service.  As always Comprehesive Building Consultants will step up and provide this service free of charge with every home inspection and will not ADD more to the cost of the inspection.  Below is the checklist and feel free to use it and if your office would like more information about us and the services we have been providing the SWF Florida region for over 25 years please call us at 239-481-3977 and we can give a presentation to your office.  Here is the link the Florida Department of Health and the items that they have found 

Have any of your electrical appliances failed to operate or have they needed regular reapir or replacement before they typical life expectancy?

Inspect metal surfaces on plumbing fixtures for staining/and or pitting.

 

WIth electircal covers off at the outlet and the cover removed from the circuit breaker box look for the ground wire (copper wire) for blackening and corrosion.

Inspect air conditioning coils for blackening and corrosion.  This calls for the removal of one of the AIr Handlers access panels.



If possible look a the back of the drywall on the wall which can be sometimes seen at access panels or underneath stairs.

Inspect Jewelry/metal objects - has any of your silver tarnished more rapidly than normal?  has gold become speckeled or tarnished?