You may already have heard people mentioning the term “Chinese drywall.” But what exactly is Chinese drywall? We explain every bit about this type of drywall that is believed to be toxic and emits harmful gases that can be dangerous for your health. You have more to worry about if you have Chinese drywall in your home. Continue reading to find out why.
What is Chinese drywall?
“Chinese drywall” are imported drywall from China that were installed between 2001 and 2009. Evidence indicates that over 500 million pounds of Chinese drywall were shipped to the US during the housing boom after Hurricane Katrina. These drywalls contained toxic materials that release gases responsible for damaging homes and posing health issues.
Although the problem was only identified in 2008, some homeowners continued to install this drywall until 2009.
Chinese drywall is believed to emit toxic sulfur gases that can cause health issues such as headaches, irritation on the eyes, skin, and throat. It is also believed to cause several respiratory issues.
These gases also cause corrosion on metals and can damage house appliances.
Signs you have Chinese Drywall In Your Home
You can look for some signs if you want to know whether your drywall is the Chinese one.
The easiest way to identify is through the smell. The sulfur gases emitted by the drywall smell like rotten eggs.
Some other visual signs include corrosion caused by the gases. Check your air conditioner, electric wiring, and plumbing system for corrosion signs.
Some personal items may also become corroded. Such items include jewelry.
Some markings on the drywall may also indicate where it was manufactured or the date of manufacture. If your drywall was imported to the US in the mentioned years, you might have Chinese drywall in your home. However, sometimes it’s hard to see the marking since they are on the inner side.
How to test for Chinese drywall
If you have reasons to believe that you have Chinese drywall in your home, you should let experts test it. Find a reputable inspector to affirm that it is indeed Chinese drywall.
If it is indeed Chinese drywall, you should also report to the Consumer product safety.
You must then replace the drywall completely. Any other advice such as quick fixes must be treated as suspicious.
Repairing Chinese Drywall
To eliminate the Chinese drywall problem in your home, you need to replace it entirely with approved drywall. Replacing drywall is something you can do. But it’s different when dealing with the Chinese drywall. It is better left to a professional.
This is where Golden State Drywall Repair Pros come in. We provide professional drywall installation and replacement services in Oakland. Call us today at (510) 250-5447 to eliminate the toxic Chinese drywall in your home.
