Yesterday’s heartbreaking news of a U.S. Army’s investigation into whether toxic Chinese drywall is to blame for the deaths of babies at Fort Bragg struck a huge blow to everyone at Angie’s List. We’ve been trying to sound an alarm on this issue since April 2009, when it first came to our attention.
We have lots of information to help you determine if you are at risk. If you’re living in a home built or repaired from
2004 to 2006 in southern Florida or along the Gulf, please take a look at it and hire a qualified, reputable, local contractor to address the situation. Replacing only the drywall might not be enough to fix this problem. Homeowners may need to get new carpet and insulation, and rewire their homes. Once the work is complete, dust should be removed with a HEPA air scrubber.
Quick Tips to determine if your home has toxic Chinese drywall:
- Your home was built or renovated between 2004 and 2006.
- You notice a persistent foul, rotten egg smell.
- You notice metal and copper corrosion, or a black coating on air-conditioning coils and electrical wiring.
- You see a Made in China stamp on your drywall, or it could also be identified as manufactured by Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, Knauf Gips, and Taishan Gypsum Co. (all are targeted in various lawsuits.)
- Your home was built by one of these companies: Lennar Corp., Aubuchon Homes, Meritage Homes, Ryland Homes, Standard Pacific Homes, Taylor Morrison and WCI Communities (are have been confirmed to have used Chinese drywall.)
If you think you might be affected, know that tomorrow, September 3, 2010, is a deadline for some homeowners to sign on for free to one of many lawsuits regarding the Chinese drywall issue. After this deadline, becoming part of that suit could cost $15,000. Learn more here: http://www.chinesedrywall.com/