Did you know that it is possible that you have a dangerous material in your home and you don’t even know it? During the housing boom of the early to mid 2000s, there was approximately 500 million pounds of Chinese gypsum imported into the US. The problem is, it was contaminated as it was made with dangerous chemicals. Without knowing, this gypsum was used in drywall that was used to build homes throughout Florida, most being built from 2004 to 2007. Since the discovery of this dangerous Chinese drywall in Florida, steps are being taken to eradicate it.
Why Chinese Drywall is Different
You may think that drywall is the same no matter where it is manufactured, but that isn’t necessarily the case. The board that was made in China and introduced to the US was made with compounds and chemicals that are different than drywall made in other areas. To be specific, the Chinese drywall was made with waste that was produced by coal plants, something that would not have been done by domestic manufacturers. Some of the chemicals that are known to be present in Chinese drywall include hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen sulfide. These are inside of the drywall and slowly released into the air over time. If you have Chinese Drywall In Florida, your family could be breathing in these chemicals right now.
Signs That You May Have Chinese Drywall in Your Home
There are a number of signs that can indicate you may have Chinese drywall in your home. For instance, many people will experience the smell of sulfur when they have this type of material in their home, which may smell like a rotten egg. Another sign that is quite common is that HVAC units in the home commonly fail. Others may see that wires in the walls are corroding quite badly. Items made of silver may tarnish, metals in your home may blacken and mirrors may darken up around the edges. Of course you may also find that members of your household are chronically ill with coughing, headaches, nosebleeds or other respiratory illnesses.
If you have seen any of these signs in your home, you definitely should get in touch with an expert in your area. Check online for Chinese drywall experts and give one call today.
