Chinese Drywall Facts

Before you start panicking over the recent onslought of reports regarding the crisis with drywall imported from China, please do yourself a favor and read what the State of Florida has published on their website. We feel it is in your best interest to direct you to this official source in order for you to be well informed and are able to make sensible decisions based on what information the State of Florida is able to provide for now. Please check back periodically as we will be providing the latest information as we receive it.

Below is the official state link and screenshots taken from that website.

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/indoor-air/casedefinition.html

First, determine the date of construction

To meet the current case definition (03-30-09) homes constructed after 2003 (2004 to present) must meet two or more conditions; and those built prior to 2004 must meet three or more of the conditions specified below.

There is presence of sulfur-like or other unusual odors
Confirmed presence of Chinese manufactured drywall in the home (Pictures)
Observed copper corrosion, indicated by black, sooty coating of Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit present in the garage or mechanical closet of home (Pictures)
Documented failure of air conditioner evaporator coil (located inside the air handling unit) (Pictures)
Confirmation by an outside expert or professional for the presence of premature copper corrosion on Un-insulated copper wires and/or air conditioner evaporator coils (inside the air handling unit) (Pictures)

Other Issues:

Mirrors (Pictures)
Miscellaneous items with possible corrosion (Pictures)
Miscellaneous items without corrosion (Pictures)
Plumbing Fixtures (Pictures)
Refrigerators (Pictures)

All images below open in a new window and are linked to the same image in a larger version

Confirmed presence of Chinese manufactured drywall in the home

Drywall with markings - domestic

Drywall with National Gypsum markings in attic

Drywall with GridMarX ®, National Gypsum markings

Drywall with National Gypsum markings in wall

Drywall with "USA" markings

Drywall with markings - imported

Drywall with "CHINA" markings on a piece of drywall Cut from a wall cavity	Cut pieces of drywall with "KNAUF - TIANJIN CHINA ASTM C36" markings visible	Cut pieces of drywall on floor with "KNAUF - TIANJIN" markings visible
Cut pieces of drywall on floor with "CHINA-ASTM C36 06-05-03, 10.14" markings visible	Drywall with "MADE IN CHINA" markings visible	Photo illustrates that homes were found with both domestic and Chinese manufactured drywall marked "MADE IN CHINA ASTM C36/C1396 STANDARD".

Drywall of unknown origin

Cut piece of drywall with "4 feet X 12f" markings visible. The origin of this drywall was not determined.	Drywall inside a wall with metal studs. No markings are visible.	Drywall inside a wall with metal studs and coated wiring. No markings are visible

Observed copper corrosion, indicated by black, sooty coating of Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit present in the garage or mechanical closet of home

Corroded

Photo illustrates that homes were found with both domestic and Chinese manufactured drywall.	Photo illustrates that homes were found with both domestic and Chinese manufactured drywall	Photo illustrates that homes were found with both domestic and Chinese manufactured drywall.
Photo illustrates that homes were found with both domestic and Chinese manufactured drywall.	Photo illustrates that homes were found with both domestic and Chinese manufactured drywall.

Not corroded

Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with no signs of blackening corrosion.	Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with no signs of blackening corrosion.	Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with no signs of blackening corrosion.
Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit with no signs of blackening corrosion.

Documented failure of air conditioner evaporator coil (located inside the air handling unit)

Blackening corrosion on coils

Evaporator coil inside the air handler unit showing blackening corrosion of copper.	Evaporator coil inside the air handler unit showing blackening corrosion of copper.	Evaporator coil inside the air handler unit showing blackening corrosion of copper.
Blackening corrosion on copper tube of the evaporator coil inside the air handling unit. Some corrosion has been removed showing uncorroded metal.

Normal corrosion on coils

Evaporator coil showing blue/green and dark red patina on copper tubing and dark orange rust on other metals	Evaporator coil elbows showing dark orange rust on other metals blue/green and dark red patina.	Evaporator coils showing blue/green and dark red patina on copper tubing and dark orange rust on other metals.
Evaporator coils showing dark red patina on copper tubing and small amount of orange rust on steel.	Evaporator coils showing blue/green and dark red patina on copper tubing and dark orange rust on other metals.

Confirmation by an outside expert or professional for the presence of premature copper corrosion on Un-insulated copper wires and/or air conditioner evaporator coils (inside the air handling unit)

Blackening corroded wiring

Electrical outlet showing blackening corrosion on the ground wire (bare wire on bottom).	Blackening corrosion on the exposed copper of wiring on the electrical panel inside an air handling unit.	Blackened in-wall speaker wire
Blackening corrosion on bare ground wires

Normal wiring

Blue/green patina on the ground wire inside air handling unit.	Electrical switch panel with the cover removed showing no corrosion on the bare copper ground wire.

Other Photos

Mirrors

Mirror showing a slight darkening of the edges.	Mirror showing significant darkening of the edges.	Mirror showing significant darkening of the edges.
Mirror showing significant darkening of the edges.

Miscellaneous items with possible corrosion

Light fixture above bathroom vanity showing corrosion of chrome plated surface.	Door hinge showing corrosion.	Coins and an antique piece of metal that homeowners reported as darkening.
Metal finishes on furniture that a homeowner reported as darkening.

Miscellaneous items without corrosion

Water heater in garage with no corrosion on copper water lines.

Plumbing Fixtures

Toilet water shut-off valve showing corrosion.	Shower fixture showing corrosion of chrome plating.	Bath faucet with black corrosion pitting the chrome plating.
fire sprinkler head showing corrosion.

Refrigerators

Blackening corrosion on copper tubes of a refrigerator.

Blackening corrosion of a copper water tube leading to a refrigerator.

Humberto Carvajal Jr.

A Florida Inspection Company