Chinese Drywall Solved:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Construction Advisory Group and what is the Chinese Drywall Remediation Project?
Construction Advisory Group is a network of industry leaders with over 130 years of construction management and general contracting service experience. Aspects of Risk Management, Financial Assessment, Onsite Project Management & Evaluation provide a hands-on, practical, approach to assist owners and institutions in reducing their exposure to a variety of conditions - including construction defect like Chinese Drywall.
The Chinese Drywall Remediation Project provides solutions for owners and institutions who are confronted with issues associated from exposure to the affected drywall that has been imported from China.
What is Chinese Drywall?
The term "Chinese Drywall" (which is also sometimes referred to as "Contaminated Drywall" or "Tainted Drywall") refers to drywall imported from China from 2001 to 2007. Reduced Sulfurs and components of Strontium are present within the Drywall and over time, with the assistance of heat and humidity, release gases that commence the corrosion process. Chinese drywall is also very friable, which means it is in a state where small particles can easily become dislodged with little friction, thus enabling them to easily enter your lungs. For this reason, even after Chinese drywall is removed, the toxic drywall particulate may remain unless property removed.
How do I know if I have Chinese Drywall?
There are varying instances of determining if the Drywall installed is that from the affected Chinese Firms. The "rotten" egg smell is the reduced sulfur gases being emitted into the air. However, the level of odor varies greatly in each home as does each person's ability to detect the odor. Of course, the strength of the odor also depends on how much drywall was used in the home. Significantly, some homeowners report no smell, but their home clearly has Chinese drywall.
Chinese Drywall corrodes electrical wiring. Construction Advisory Group provides Florida State Licensed, certified professionals to inspect your home. We will look for electrical symptoms, odor and visual indications that Chinese Drywall is present. The cost for a inspection is minor.
How much Chinese Drywall do I have to have in my home for the symptoms to be present?
This is a varying problem as well due to where the Chinese Drywall is installed within a home. If the Drywall is installed around an HVAC system the reduced sulfur gases can be spread more efficiently throughout the home. If some portions of the house have symptoms but not others, then potentially the tainted Drywall may only be in the location of the symptoms.
Can I just leave the Chinese Drywall alone? Is it harmful to my family or my pets?
No, you cannot leave Chinese Drywall alone if you plan to reside or work in the location of where the tainted Drywall is installed.
According to Dr. Patricia Williams, a University of New Orleans toxicologist, highly toxic compounds have been found in Chinese drywall and prolonged exposure to these compounds can cause serious health problems. Strontium sulfide may be dangerous to developing children; it affects bone growth. Chronic exposure to these gases may affect the central nervous system (including visual and sensory changes), cardiovascular system, eyes, kidneys, liver and skin. Infants, children, the elderly and infirm (particularly those with heart and lung disease and diabetes) and pets may have an increased vulnerability to these gases and the particulates that are released from the drywall.
I've heard that Chinese Drywall reacts with copper, but what else does Chinese Drywall affect in my home?
Chinese Drywall reacts with numerous building components, including appliances, HVAC systems, electrical wiring, copper plumbing, and electronics. Corrosion of electrical wiring can hamper the effectiveness of your smoke detection and can create a risk of fire.
What are my options if I have Chinese Drywall?
Construction Advisory Group has coordinated with General Contractors and Biological / Chemical Contamination Firms to assist in the Chinese Drywall Remediation Project. Options range from complete interior demolitions and re-construction to a treatment process that is a permanent non-destructive solution to the Chinese Drywall problem.
How long does it take to correct Chinese Drywall if I have it in my home?
There are different schedules of correction depending on the type of remediation provided. Typical interior demolition and re-construction activities will entail sequencing that will develop customized construction schedule. This is based on industry experience, however a specific detailed schedule will be developed for each house, as housing sizes and interior features differ greatly.
The Chlorine Dioxide Treatment Process will entail sequencing that will develop approximately a seven (7) to ten (10) day Treatment Remediation Schedule. Scheduling, moving, microcleaning and other individual factors will affect the time scope of the project. Construction Advisory Group brings efficient project management expertise to every Chinese Drywall remediation program.
What are the costs for solving my Chinese Drywall problem?
Costs associated with the remediation processes are those of the industry standard for complete interior demolitions and re-construction. Detailed estimates will be provided to the homeowner for coordination, review and approval. Specific detailed pricing will be developed for each house, as housing sizes and interior features differ greatly.
The Chlorine Dioxide Permanent Treatment Process will entail pricing that varies due to the quantity of homes that can be remediated within the immediate local area. Treatment costs range from approximately seventeen ($17) to twenty-seven ($27) Dollars a square foot (SF).
Will you work with my financial institution, insurance company and legal advisors?
Yes. As stated previously, Construction Advisory Group provides Risk Management, Financial Assessment, Onsite Project Management & Evaluation to provide a hands-on, practical, approach in assisting owners and institutions. Our experience encompasses a wide range of construction-related projects, and has been expanded through strategic partnerships to address the Chinese Drywall problem.
Do I get a warranty or certification that my house has been remediated?
Yes. Standard industry warranties apply for the complete interior demolitions and re-construction activities.
The Chlorine Dioxide Permanent Treatment Process has an assignable warranty which may be transferred from owner to subsequent owners of the structure.
Because my house was built with Chinese Drywall, can it ever be considered completely free of hazardous material?
If correctly and professionally remediated, your home will be considered free from the effects caused by Chinese Drywall. Additionally, the Chlorine Dioxide Permanent Treatment Process effectively treats structural mold contamination. The Chlorine Dioxide Gas penetrates deeply into internal building cavities and HVAC systems reaching pervasive and even the most persistent contamination leaving the entire structure virtually free of microorganisms.
