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Defective Chinese Drywall

Did you know that defective drywall from China in your home could put you and your family at serious risk? Homes that were constructed with Chinese drywall may cause health problems and metal corrosion in your personal effects, home appliances, electrical wiring and plumbing. If you have a home in Louisiana and want to learn more, we invite you to continue reading for more information or contact Irpino Law toll-free at 1-800-7500-LAW for a free consultation.

Chinese drywall has become a recent problem in states like Louisiana, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Virginia that have been hit hard by hurricanes and other natural disasters. Because there was a shortage of American-made drywall from 2004 through 2006, some builders began to import drywall from China and other countries. Shortly afterward, reports started filtering from homeowners that their walls smelled like rotten eggs. This “smell” caused several investigations that highlighted the potentially toxic effects of Chinese Drywall. Part of an investigator’s challenge, is to track where the defective drywall came from because it is not always clear where the drywall was manufactured. Chinese drywall may not be stamped with the words “Made in China” on it; instead, it may be stamped with an American brand name. Some American companies may have imported defective Chinese drywall and re-branded it as American made.

How to Tell if You Have Defective Chinese Drywall

Since drywall is a common material used to construct a home’s interior walls and ceilings, it is important to check your home for signs that your home may have been built or remodeled with Chinese drywall. Please note that high levels of humidity aggravate the effects of defective Chinese drywall, because in these conditions sulfuric fumes (which emit a “rotten eggs” odor) are released from the drywall.

Signs You May Have Defective Chinese Drywall

If you believe you might have one or more of the telltale signs below, we recommend setting up a home inspection immediately. A home inspector can provide you with proof that you have defective Chinese drywall in your Louisiana home. The documentation from this inspection will help you if you decide to pursue legal action. Here are some signs you may have defective Chinese drywall in your Louisiana home.

  • Your home smells like rotten eggs
  • Your home was built or remodeled between 2005 and 2007
  • Your drywall is stamped with the words “Made in China” or “Knauf”
  • Your electrical wiring has corroded and turned black
  • Your home’s plumbing has corroded and turned black
  • Other metal objects in your home like silver jewelry, tableware, etc. have turned black
  • Electronic devices and appliances in your home have stopped functioning

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the Florida and Louisiana Departments of Health are all investigating the challenges associated with having defective Chinese drywall in your home.

Homeowners who realize they have defective Chinese drywall in their homes are often emotionally and financially devastated by their discovery. Due to tough economic conditions, many homeowners are unable to financially recover from the property damage and resulting health problems they experience from having defective Chinese drywall in their home. Because no “new” homeowner wants to purchase a home that contains defective Chinese drywall, homeowners are often stuck with a large bill, a house they no longer wish to live in, and long-term medical problems.

How Defective Chinese Drywall Affects Your Health

In addition to the property damage that defective Chinese drywall can cause in your home, it can also cause several, long-term health problems for you or your family members. If you are experiencing unexplained health problems, we recommend contacting your family physician immediately.

Reported symptoms from exposure to Chinese drywall may include:

  • Severe headaches
  • Nosebleeds
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Memory loss and fatigue
  • Loss of balance and coordination
  • Chest pain

There are some family members that health officials believe are more at risk for health problems as a result of defective Chinese drywall. They include: pregnant women, infants and young children, the elderly, people with asthma or other related illnesses, people that have chemical sensitivities, and your family’s pets.

If you believe that you have defective Chinese drywall in your home, we strongly recommend that you schedule an appointment for a home inspection to confirm your suspicions.

For a free consultation on how Irpino Law can help you deal with this threatening problem in your home, call us toll-free at 1-800-7500-LAW.