Defective Chinese drywall

If you or a loved one has a home that was damaged or destroyed by defective Chinese drywall, the law firm of Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers is here to serve you.

What is Chinese drywall?

Chinese drywall is a wide flat board used to construct the interior walls of a home. It is also known as wallboard, gypsum board, or plasterboard. Though normally manufactured in the United States, a shortage of drywall following a number of hurricanes prompted many home builders to obtain drywall from China. It is estimated that enough drywall was imported from China to build more than 100,000 homes nationwide between 2004 and 2006.

Chinese drywall has been reported to emit sulfur-based gasses which create a noxious odor and corrode copper and other metals in the home causing household systems and appliances to fail. It is believed that heat and humidity trigger the migration of these gasses into the air. As a result, many homeowners have had to evacuate their homes and have spent thousands to repair and replace electrical wiring, heating and air conditioning systems and appliances damaged or destroyed by these sulfur emissions. Many affected homeowners now worry that the drywall problems will reduce their property values and hamper their ability to sell.

Investigators are not yet sure what causes the reaction, but possible culprits include fumigants sprayed on the drywall and material inside it. The Chinese drywall is also made with a coal byproduct called fly ash that is less refined than the form used by U.S. drywall makers. One manufacturer that appears to be responsible for the defective drywall is Knauf Plasterboard, Tianjin Co., a subsidiary of the German construction-material company Knauf International GmbH. The home building companies Lennar Homes and Taylor Morrison have had the most reports of defective Chinese drywall, though other companies are also being investigated.

Read our Chinese Drywall Frequently Asked Questions.

How can you tell if your home has a drywall problem?

Owners of homes constructed with Chinese drywall have complained of strong pungent odor similar to that of rotten eggs or ammonia. Air conditioner coils, electrical wiring, copper and other metals appear corroded or black in color. Systems and appliances fail. Silver items such as jewelry, picture frames, and light fixtures appear blackened or tarnished.

Some consumers have experienced health problems such as irritated eyes, respiratory problems, asthma attacks, persistent cough, nausea, nose bleeds and headaches. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is still investigating reported health concerns to determine whether there are any long-term health effects following exposure to defective Chinese drywall. Some health officials have expressed concern that the drywall fumes could be especially dangerous in sensitive populations such as the very young or elderly. People with asthma and chemical sensitivities could also be at greatest risk.

What do I do if I think my home is infected with defective Chinese drywall?

The quickest way to determine you have a defective drywall problem is to contact your home builder and inquire about the materials used in construction. The manufacturer’s ID, “KNAUF,” may also be written on the back side of the dry wall.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recommended that you consult your local gas or electric supplier and a licensed electrician or building inspector if you experience any of the electrical or fire safety concerns described as common to the reports of exposure to problem drywall.

If you are suffering from any of the health problems described above, you may want to consult your physician.

If you or a loved one has experienced any problems related to Chinese drywall, please contact the law firm of Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers, LLP for a free consultation. Our attorneys have over 25 years of experience litigating product liability cases. Let us put that experience to work for you.

E-mail us or call us at 866-941-1947 to schedule a free consultation with a trusted defective Chinese drywall attorney. We handle all defective Chinese drywall cases on a contingency basis.