On Thursday, the U.S. representatives and senators said they were afraid that smoke and fire alarms and sprinklers would stop working in homes with the drywall and that corrosion would lead to home fires.
via Chinese Drywall a Fire Hazard? (NBC 2 Fort Myers)
In a related article: “Congressman Melancon noted that corrosion of electrical wiring caused by toxic Chinese drywall could pose a serious fire hazard for homeowners.”
Earlier this month a Chinese wallboard company told U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon that removing its drywall is sufficient to remedy the problem. However, according to the National Association of Home Builders:
[The] repair procedures outlined by the home builders are similar to what the committee of plaintiffs attorneys has proposed in Judge Eldon Fallon's courtroom in New Orleans. Rather than some cheaper air-filtration and drywall treatments that others have suggested, the home builders association advocates ripping out drywall, plumbing and possibly wiring, paying for families to temporarily relocate, and allowing homes time to air out after being gutted.
via Chinese Drywall Guidance Offered by National Association of Home Builders (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
“I replaced everything for $17,000 and did all the work,” said Savini, 75. “I worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week.”
In addition to the problems, he said he can’t sell the unit because of the subdivision’s stigma of having the imported drywall. The value of his condo has also decreased substantially. Savini said similar condo units at The Promenade are selling for $49,000, almost $171,000 less than his purchase price.
“Nobody wanted to step up to the plate and take responsibility for this,” said Savini, who is not involved in any Chinese drywall litigation against drywall manufacturers or his builder, Coral Springs-based Centerline Homes.
Centerline Homes did not return calls for comment.
via Tradition Resident Takes Chinese Drywall Repairs into His Own Hands | Video [St. Lucie News Tribune]
The homeowner claims that his entire neighborhood has been affected in terms of property value. If this is the case, even units that never had the defective drywall would be affected.
“Unfortunately, we must decline your request to participate in the Joint PDA,” May said in his letter to Halstead. “We are aware of the reports of health problems and significant property damage blamed on the use of imported drywall throughout the country, and understand the difficulties experienced by homeowners potentially impacted by the problem drywall. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the lead Federal agency investigating reported health and safety issues blamed on the imported drywall, and they are working closely with state law enforcement and health authorities, as well as other Federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Federal Trade Commission, among others, to investigate and assist in this matter.”
The current position of the Federal government is "the degradation of imported drywall, do not constitute an emergency or major disaster incident, as contemplated under the Stafford Act."
[The] defendant, a Chinese wallboard company, said simply removing the drywall and making selective repairs would suffice...
"This is not where we have to go in in big white space suits," he said. "This is a typical construction job."
The home could be fixed in three months, and there would be no lingering problems once the drywall was removed, Hayden said.
Dean Rutila, an engineer and remediation expert with Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, testified for the plaintiffs that corroded pipes, wiring and other materials could get worse over time if the house is not gutted. He said the materials and appliances should be replaced.
via Sun-Sentinel
The Chinese wallboard company is reluctant to do anything but replace the drywall. They will surely resist any health and medical claims by homeowners affected by defective Chinese drywall.
"We're still in the home," said Tatum Hernandez, who works at the U.S. State Department's passport agency in New Orleans. "If we moved out, we would still have to pay the mortgage."
The Hernandez family's situation will be heard in court this week in a test case in the Chinese-Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Litigation in federal court in New Orleans. The trial will concern property damage issues; questions of health issues related to problem drywall will be handled in a later phase of the litigation.
Another test case involving several Virginia families took place last month, but the manufacturer, Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd., blew off the proceedings...
A company profile page for Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd. states "The high-speed development of the company will devote much more to the reform of new wall material in China."
From their profile, 'reform' could mean 'greener' ... or possibly, less toxic.
We had a saying when I lived in Alabama to describe someone who was a real screw up, "That boy could break an anvil with a rubber hammer." Our Congress, who is sworn to protect us, has sold us out and they then feign righteous indignation for the courts and cameras long after the campaign contribution checks have cleared. Indeed, they could break an anvil with a rubber hammer.
The lawyers scratch their pointy little heads and ask the $64,000 question: can these large overseas companies actually be made to pay damages to American consumers? Sadly they answer, "probably not."
The original article dates back to June 2009. Since then, it is apparent that those consumers are looking more toward the Federal Government for financial assistance. There are 360 pending lawsuits mentioned in "Breaking an Anvil". The American mainstream news media has not reported heavily on any of the proceedings.
The major earthquakes in Haiti and Chile continue to remain on the forefront of today's news. There has been an outpouring of aid to the victims. Social media continues to receive an honorable mention in keeping the world informed about their plight. Unfortunately for the victims of defective Chinese drywall, the man-made nature of the problem seems to nuture an indifferent (almost spiteful) sentiment among those that are not immediately affected.
For example, in response to a recent Chinese drywall article posted to Bradenton.com, readers commented on how the Chinese drywall problem is not aid-worthy:
This WILL be a WASTE of the TaxPayers money!
Pay for the builder's mistake? Compensate the building for cutting corners? The builders should have bought American Products.What is FEMA going to do? Pay for your mistakes. Pay for you cutting the corners. You should have bought american, you wouldn't have had this problem. You guys should be made examples of for not buying American Products.Go after the builders, first. From assets, insurance and property holdings, then ask the gov't for help. Builders bought cheap, sold expensive. Hey, you get what you pay for. The builders lied. Time for builders to take responsibility for their actions.
For now, news about the Chinese drywall problem remains fairly visible in Southwest Florida. It has been getting more airtime than the Toyota recall lately. However, it remains to be seen whether or not Americans will choose deal or no deal with regard to helping out those affected by Chinese drywall.
