Chinese drywall is a developing problem. No official government endorsed testing protocol currently exists. Similarly, no government endorsed remediation and repair protocol exists either. This should come as no real surprise. The government has also not officially recognized the health implications and adverse health effects that are caused by Chinese sheetrockl. This is in spite of the fact that numerous reports exist linking coughing, nose bleeds, etc to Chinese drywall. It has only been in the last two months that the government linked the corrosion associated with Chinese drywall.
Now, word is that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is out of money for this investigation. The good news is that several builders have taken the initiative to remediate Chinese sheetrock on their own. Home owners should be cautious. Typically, these builders ask the owners to sign a release of liability. When the work is completed, the owner will have no course of action against the builder. In addition, some of these releases assign all future damages awarded to the builder. The owner effectively has no claims against anyone.
SHEETROCK
The problem is the absence of the repair protocol. Some reports seems to indicate that the gases that are created by Chinese sheetrock are absorbed into the wood framing. Some other reports even indicate that the gas can impregnate concrete! This phenomena would not be as far fetched as it may sound. Wood is certainly a porous material. Concrete is as well. Take this same issue a step further. To correctly repair the home, each framing member would need to be removed or treated. The carpet would need to be replaced, as would the cabinets, hardwood floors, etc.
Similar to repairing the problem drywall, no protocol exists for testing either. I have had many people question the logic of offering the testing before the government has officially released and endorsed a protocol. The truth of the matter is that testing is the first step to repairing this problem. The science behind the effects of this tainted drywall is not conclusive. The science behind testing the material, however, is a science that is better established. Identifying the marker compounds typical of Chinese drywall makes it possible to utilize tested and guaranteed technologies to develop an insurable and guaranteed testing protocol for Chinese drywall.
As always, buyer beware! Chinese drywall testing and repair firms should be fully insured. Testing firms should offer a fully insurable testing protocol, not just E&O insurance. It is hard to recommend repairing these homes until the effect of this gas on framing material, etc has been established.
Chinese Drywall - Testing Vs Repairing
Certified Chinese Drywall Testing, LLC
http://www.certified-chinese-drywall-testing.com
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