In a nutshell: Out it goes… along with a lot of other stuff as well.
Does your house have problem drywall? If so, you'll need to remove it... along with a lot of other stuff.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have issued interim remediation guidelines regarding the issue of problem drywall imported from China, which has been associated with corrosion of metal parts such as pipes and electrical components.
The cause of the corrosion was found to be a high level of hydrogen sulfide.
Based on scientific study of the problem to date, HUD and CPSC recommend consumers remove all possible problem drywall from their homes, and replace electrical components and wiring, gas service piping, fire suppression sprinkler systems, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Taking these steps should help eliminate both the source of the problem drywall and corrosion-damaged components that might cause a safety problem in the home.
To read the full text of the remediation guidelines, visit the federal Dryall Information Center website (PDF).
How to Identify Problem Drywall
The affected drywall was installed between 2001 and 2008, with most occurring between 2005 and 2008. The most obvious sign is blackening of copper electrical wiring and/or air conditioning evaporator coils. Chemical analysis may be required to confirm the specific chemical emissions from the drywall.
A full text of the identification process can be obtained from the CPSC website (PDF).
Most of the problem drywall was used in Florida and the Gulf states, during the building boom following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. However, there have been reports of it in Virginia, and on the Eastern Shore.
Now What?
If you suspect your property has been affected by this issue, you should contact the CPSC by calling 800-638-2772, or visit the Drywall Information Center.
