Plaintiffs' Personal Injury Law Firm

Chinese Drywall is Causing a Stink

In the fall of 2005, Florida and Louisiana were each struck twice by major hurricanes that created a massive amount of damage to homes and other property. Although this was a terrible thing, it created a boom in the housing industry in the form of rebuilding and new construction. Construction companies were not able to get enough of certain building supplies with their usual suppliers here in the US and so many contractors were forced to import supplies, such as drywall from other countries, such as China. Although this may have seemed like a solution to a big problem, it is now apparent that this big solution is causing bigger problems.

One of these Chinese drywall makers, Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Company, which is actually a subsidiary of a German company, Knauf International, seems to be bearing the brunt of most of these complaints. Although, approximately 30,000 homes were either repaired or constructed with the Chinese drywall during 2005-2006, only homes in the extremely humid regions are showing signs of the corrosion and unpleasant odors. The Chinese made drywall is constructed with different materials than drywall made in the US. Drywall that is manufactured in the states is made with gypsum, but samples of the material that were imported from China and were tested by state and federal agencies showed volatile sulfur compounds and strontium.

Homes that were constructed or repaired in the extremely humid states of Florida and Louisiana are the ones seeing these problems for the most part. It appears that it is the humidity that is causing the copper wiring to corrode and turn black. This is destructive to the wiring, and so as a result, many of the home's appliances have quit working. In addition, the air in the house is filled with a strong sulfur odor. Over 500 homeowners in Florida alone have filed complaints with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and an investigation is underway. Residents are complaining of sore throats, sinus problems and nose bleeds. To one family living in a South Florida $1.2 million new home, doctors orders were for them to move out.

So, while the family has to continue making house payments, they will also have the expense of rental payments until their home has been gutted of the culprit drywall and replaced with new construction materials. Many families are seeking relief and compensation through lawsuits. If your home was constructed or repaired during the years of 2004-2006 and you notice a strong sulfur odor and corrosion covering the copper wiring, contact the attorneys at Napoli Bern Ripka Law Firm, by filling out a Quick Contact form on the homepage of this website for a case evaluation. You may be eligible for compensation.