A “final study” on the lingering problem drywall (aka Chinese Drywall) problem has just been released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The study provides guidance to homeowners who have problem drywall, specifically giving steps for replacing all the problem drywall, smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and electrical distribution components. The last category includes receptacles, switches, fusible-type sprinkler heads and circuit breakers, but not necessarily wiring.
Why all the electrical work? If you recall, the problem with problem drywall — which can be detected by its tell-tale sulfurous smell — is that it corrodes electrical wiring within the home’s walls. Nasty stuff, that.
The study also features a previously-issued identification guidance section so homeowners can determine for themselves if they have problem drywall in the home.
So, problem solved? More or less, I’d say. It should be noted that, to date, the CPSC has received almost 4,000 reports from residents in 42 states who believe their health symptoms or the corrosion of certain metal components in their homes are related to problem drywall. The health piece concerns me the most. That and the thought of all those homeowners out there who are living with problem drywall and don’t know it yet. I have to believe there are more than 4,000 homes with this junk.
Have you had to deal with problem drywall? Tell us about it.
