New Orleans Louisiana Real Estate and Community Blog 

I’ve attended a few different seminars for realtors on contaminated Chinese drywall in the New Orleans and North Shore area over the past month. One thing I’ve learned from listening to various inspectors and “experts” speak on the topic is that we are all still uncovering the financial, physical and structural impact this product will have on thousands of homeowners.

But there some great information out there that should be shared. Here are a few great things I’ve learned about this issue thus far:

• Not all drywall made in China is contaminated. The contaminated drywall has been traced to a few factories in a specific area of China. It’s hypnotized that these factories used contaminated run-off water from nearby coal mines to make the drywall, hence it’s contamination.

• The contamination primarily centers on 6 various sulfide contaminants that slowly breakdown within the drywall and “off gas.” Some of these sulfides smell (one in particular smells like a rotten egg) and some do not.

• Heat and humidity speed up the breakdown and “off gassing” of the sulfides in the drywall. Cool, dry air slows the “off gassing” down, making it harder to detect. Painting the drywall (which most of us do) does not block this “off gassing” from reaching living spaces.

• It’s estimated enough contaminated drywall was shipped and used in the US to build 37,000 ENTIRE homes. This number obviously increases when you consider that many people after a hurricane may have only rebuilt a portion of their home with drywall.

• It doesn’t take much contaminated drywall for there to be a problem. An example was given by an inspector who had a client where just a one sheet of contaminated drywall near his AC intake vent was installed. Thus all of the home’s air was circulated past this contaminated drywall and then throughout the house, causing numerous issues.

• At the present time, an overwhelming majority of complaints on contaminated drywall have come from Florida and Louisiana, primarily due to the extensive rebuilding that occurred in both states after hurricanes in 2004 and 2005. We need more people to file complaints so that not only a better estimate of the drywall damage can occur, but also to help ensure that this larger group of individuals can work together to deal with remediation issues, including finding legal and/or federal assistance.

• The earliest drywall issues go back to 2001, although most complaints center on drywall installed between 2004-2008.

• Go to http://www.doh.state.fl.us/ or www.cpsc.gov/info for more information. What else have you learned about this topic? Drop me a line and share with the group. More information to come in the next installment.

As always, if you have any questions call me at 985-707-5035 or email me a pbennett@latterblum.com. Let’s get you moving! Anywhere in the country, I can get you there.

Posted by:Patricia Bennett