What Are The Symptoms of “Chinese Drywall”?

“Chinese Drywall” is a type of drywall imported into the United States from Chinese suppliers between 2004-2007, during the housing boom. This type of drywall has very high levels of sulfur, which can cause a variety of issues. It may have been used in the construction of more than 100,000 homes, with cases occurring in southern states like Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama comprising 86% of all reports.

It can cause issues like asthma, corrosion of home components, and more. Read on, and learn if you may have “Chinese Drywall” in your own home.

What Should I Look For?

There are two primary things you should be looking for, if your drywall was installed between 2001 and 2009.

1. Blackening of copper components in home – Copper electrical wiring and air conditioning evaporator coils can be affected by high hydrogen sulfide, caused by drywall off-gassing.
   
2. Corroborating evidence – If you notice blackening in major copper components, you should look for other corroborating evidence, including Chinese text on the drywall. Lab testing may also be done to test for elemental sulfur, or for copper sulfide deposits on copper components of your home.

Other symptoms of Chinese Drywall include a pervasive “rotten egg” smell caused by sulfur, and potential respiratory problems like asthma, coughing, and difficulty breathing, as well as sinus problems and chronic headaches.

What Precautions Do I Need To Take?

If you think that you may have Chinese Drywall in your house, you may want to take precautions such as using portable air filters, and checking your plumbing and electrical systems for corrosion, to make sure that they have not been damaged by sulfur, and do not represent a danger to you and your family.

Beyond this, dust masks and filtration masks can be worn to help mitigate the effects of sulfur on the respiratory system. We recommend that you leave your home as soon as you can, to prepare for repairs.

What Should I Do If I Think My Home Has “Chinese Drywall?”

We recommend contacting an expert in the field of Chinese Drywall, so that you can have a comprehensive laboratory inspection conducted – and you can choose the proper path forward for restoring your home and removing the problem drywall.

If your home does have Chinese drywall, it’s usually recommended that you replace all of the affected drywall. You may also need to replace corroded copper fixtures, including pipes and wiring, in some cases.

Contact Us For An Inspection Today

If you believe that your home may be affected by Chinese drywall, we recommend that you get in touch with Inside & Out Property Inspectors right away. We’re experts at diagnosing Chinese Drywall in Florida, and we’re always here to help. You can schedule an appointment now, or visit our website to learn more about our services.