Should I report the possible presents of Chinese Drywall?  CPSC has received about 3,296 reports from residents in 37 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico who believe their health symptoms or the corrosion of certain metal components in their homes are related to problem drywall. State and local authorities have also received similar reports. Yes, as a home inspector you should address the possibility of Chinese Drywall presents. But first a little background with recommendations at the end.

Drywall is a common building material typically used for wall and ceiling finishing, made of a layer of gypsum-based plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper, then dried in a kiln. Foreign drywall was imported by the United States as early as 2001 through 2008. During the construction boom between 2004 and 2007 heavy usage occurred. Importation was further spurred by a shortage of American-made drywall due to the rebuilding demand of nine hurricanes that hit Florida from 2004 to 2005, and widespread damage caused along the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. An analysis covering drywall imports since January 2006 showed that more than 550 million pounds of Chinese drywall was brought into the United States since then, enough to build 60,000 average-sized homes.

In the United States, most complaints have come from states in the Southeast, where a warm and humid climate seems to encourage the emissions. The states of Florida (59%), Louisiana (20%), Mississippi (6%) and Alabama (5%) made up 90% of the 3,296 cases reported to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as of April 2, 2010. More than 700 complaints had been filed with the Florida Department of Health. Sources estimated that from 60,000 to 100,000 homes could be affected.

Can I inspect for the presents of Chinese Drywall? For the most part the CPSC has not established any guidelines, How to tell if a home has Problem drywall”. However, a visual examination and laboratory analyzed samples is currently being used.

As a home inspector, what should I include in my reports? Most home inspectors have a protocol for reporting the possible presents of asbestos or lead contaminants in the home. A similar protocol should be used, a stronger statement is recommended in the southeastern states for all homes constructed between 2001 and 2008. In other states you should research the complaint occurrence with the CPSC and your state health department.

I would report something like this. “Homes constructed between 2001 and 2008 may have unsafe imported drywall used in its construction. The CPSC has not established a protocol for its inspection. I therefore recommend obtaining an affidavit from the builder/supplier certifying the non-use of imported drywall.”