D. Michael Kelly Personal Injury Law Blog on Lawyers.com

The Problems with Defective Chinese Drywall

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 by D. Michael Kelly

In 2005 and 2006, a shortage of building materials led builders to import drywall materials from China for use in homes in the southern half of the United States. Since then, many homeowners have reported serious problems with their drywall, causing severe health problems, as well as requiring major repairs to their homes.

The Chinese drywall is said to emit high levels of sulfur, causing serious problems throughout homes and resulting in extensive and costly damage.

Effects on your Home

Because of the high levels of sulfur in the defective drywall, homes built or remodeled using it often begin to take on a smell like rotten eggs, particularly on humid days. To get rid of the smell, homeowners have been forced to completely gut their homes and remove all of the drywall, costing thousands of dollars in remodeling and alternative living arrangements during construction.

The sulfur and other chemicals being emitted from the wall have also been reported to cause severe corrosion of copper wiring and have contributed to the failure of many household appliances. Homeowners have reported that defective drywall fumes have caused refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and microwaves to break down and fail to work, even if the appliances were brand new.

In addition, the fumes emitted from defective drywall can cause silver objects to tarnish in only weeks or days.

Health Risks

The fumes that are emitted from defective Chinese drywall not only have had a dramatic impact on the physical state of a home, but on the health and wellbeing of those residing within it. Homeowners have reported upper respiratory issues, nosebleeds and headaches stemming from the fumes from the defective drywall.

If you or your family is experiencing any of these issues, you should contact a professional to examine your home and determine if you are suffering from the effects of defective Chinese drywall. Additionally, you should speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to examine your legal options.

The article has been provided by the Columbia personal injury law firm of:
The Mike Kelly Law Group of South Carolina
500 Taylor Street Columbia
South Carolina 29201
Toll-Free: 866.959.4341

Posted at 10:47 AM

Topic: Personal Injury