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›Buyers Guide

Getting Started

  • Introduction
  • What is a Home Inspection?
  • What is Covered by an Inspection?
  • Components / Testing Not Covered by a Home Inspection
  • How Long Should an Inspection Take?
  • Goal of the Home Inspection Service
  • Attending the Inspection - Who's Invited?
  • What Does the Buyer Need to Bring to an Inspection?
  • What Should be Expected from the Inspector?
  • How Much Should a Home Inspection Cost?
  • When Should You Pay the Inspection Fees?
  • What Should the Home Inspection Report Look Like?
  • Understanding Inspection Reports
  • What Happens After the Inspection?

Buyers Guide

  • Buying a Home "As Is"
  • Inspecting Old vs. New Homes
  • Should I Be Concerned About Chinese Drywall?

Sellers Guide

  • Today's Sellers
  • Home Inspections & The Seller's Responsibilities
  • What Defects are the Seller's Responsibility?
  • Does the Inspector Come Back to Inspect Repairs?
  • Should Repairs or Building Updates be Permitted?
  • I am the Seller – Should I Have My Home Inspected Before I Sell?
  • Communicating with the Inspector (for Sellers)

Inspection Companies

  • A Typical Menu of Inspection Services
  • Comparing Inspection Companies

Additional Info

  • Deciding on a Home Warranty
  • The Inspector Missed Something. What Should You Do?
  • How Do I Choose My Termite Inspector?
  • Do I Really Need a Real Estate Agent?
  • Buying a Newly Constructed Home
  • Elements of a New Construction Inspection
  • Roof Covering and Installation Date
  • Roof Deck Attachment
  • Roof to Wall Connection
  • Roof Shape
  • Secondary Water Resistance
  • Opening Protection
  • Hurricane Mitigation 101 Summary
  • Are There More Risks with Short Sales than Foreclosed Distressed Homes?

Sinkholes

  • Should I Be Concerned About Sinkholes?
  • What is a Sinkhole?
  • Sinkhole Inspection

Should I Be Concerned About Chinese Drywall?

Simply put, yes, if you are buying in certain known regions. Consult with your real estate agent. At the time of writing, there are still so many unknowns in relation to the long term effects of Chinese Drywall and whether the current remediation protocols in place simply mitigate or eliminate the issue and whether the liability for the homeowners concerned in relation to this problem is fully removed from the home they are purchasing or currently live in.

Chinese Drywall was imported from China between the years of approximately 2001 and 2007, and used extensively in both new construction and remodeling projects, particularly after the storm season of 2004. Homeowners should therefore not assume that because homes are older, that they will not be subject to the effects of Chinese Drywall.

The problem with Chinese Drywall relates to the manufacturing process and the makeup of the drywall itself. The drywall was found to contain extraneous amounts of metals and minerals such as sulfur, iron and strontium. Under certain environmental conditions, typically warm, humid climates, the drywall was found to emit sulfur gases within the homes and buildings it was used on.

The emitted gas not only has a noxious odor but also has the resulting effect of corroding copper and other metal components and damaging systems such as air conditioners, computers, televisions, electrical wiring, plumbing, and more. While many homes have been remediated, the long term effects are still unknown. Potential homeowners should consult with the current owner of the home for a full disclosure in relation to the Chinese Drywall issue(s). Choose an inspector also that can help you during the inspection process by conducting a visual Chinese Drywall Assessment and providing a documented report on the findings of the assessment following the inspection.

Conduct as much research as possible if you know or suspect Chinese Drywall was used and make the right decision in relation to the purchase of your new home or the home you are living in.

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