FIXING CHINESE DRYWALL: The OdorKlenz Guide to Chinese Drywall Remediation
July 17, 2017 | Uncategorized
What is Chinese Drywall?

Chinese Drywall Remediation Costs
If you discover your home is built with Chinese drywall, many contractors will suggest replacing all of the defective drywall. Many will also suggest replacement of all wiring, fire alarms, outlets, circuit breakers, and sprinklers. While the government has relaxed its recommendations for remediation slightly after conducting several studies measuring the extent of damage done and health risks, they still recommend at least replacing light switches, alarms, and circuit breakers because of the corrosion that can occur after extended exposure to the sulfide gasses. How much the solution costs depends on the extent of the damage, potential damage, and what you decide to have done. At the very least, replacing the basic things like smoke alarms and circuit breakers could end up costing several hundred dollars, in addition to the thousands of dollars you’ll likely pay to have the problem drywall removed and replaced. Many homeowners have played $30,000 to $40,000 or more to have all of the drywall replaced, as well as the wiring, A/C, and other damaged hardware in their home. Pricing can depend on the area you live in, the square footage of the home, and whether or not you need a permit to do the work. In many cases, however, the cost of repairs has ended up costing a good fraction of the home’s value.Chinese Drywall Settlements
In 2013, when the damage done by Chinese drywall was emerging and apparent, five class action settlements were approved by a U.S. federal judge. The settlement insisted that those responsible for the faulty drywall pay damages due to the homeowners affected by it. The total sum due was equal to hundreds of millions of dollars. Over 10,000 owners of properties where the drywall was used were supposed to have benefited from the settlement. The main company targeted in the settlement was Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co Ltd., but others were also deemed responsible. The Chinese companies targeted appealed the settlement, and did not fully comply—only a small fraction of homeowners affected have received any payment. Many who have had to wait years, and had already been affected both by their health and financially in the meantime. The majority of settlements under the original Chinese drywall settlement program occurred in 2013. However, some people are still able to file claims if able to prove the Chinese drywall is present. Unfortunately, some people have not realized the drywall was in their home causing damage until it was too late—they already had developed respiratory problems, and started experiencing a breakdown of hardware and wiring in their home.How to Test for Chinese Drywall

The Best Products for Chinese Drywall Remediation
Sometimes, it may not be necessary to completely remove everything affected by Chinese drywall. Also, even if you do remove and replace the drywall, wiring, and other appliances, some of the effects may still linger. OdorKlenz offers a line of products that can safely and effectively eliminate the odor and many of the health hazards associated with Chinese Drywall. While some remediation techniques focus only on certain parts of the home that have been affected, OdorKlenz takes a “whole house” approach, covering all of the bases—with their technology, indoor air quality as well as all home surfaces are considered in order to achieve maximum protection from the negative effects left behind. Perhaps the most noticeable and concerning the effect of Chinese drywall is the odor it emits. The sulfuric gas combinations are what typically cause the unpleasant, and in some cases, unbearable odor, as well as health symptoms. All of OdorKlenz’s products aim to address this issue on a molecular level, destroying the contaminants from the source. You will not find any masking agents or artificial ingredients in the OdorKlenz line of products. Such ingredients would only temporarily address the issue, and not resolve any health concerns—masking agents merely cover up any smell temporarily and often contribute to even worse health symptoms. We recommend combining products to approach the harmful drywall chemicals from both the air and any surfaces, but regardless of which OdorKlenz products you use, you will see a difference within days. Many homeowners who have been adversely affected by Chinese drywall have seen a big difference when adding OdorKlenz products to their remediation plan . The OdorKlenz Filter for HVAC can be used in the existing HVAC system of the home, and specifically targets the sulfuric corrosive gasses associated with the faulty drywall. Standard HVAC filters are unable to do so—they may filter out certain particles like pollen, dust, or other allergens, but do nothing to actually deactivate these compounds on a chemical level. Worse, they often end up releasing these particles back into the air.Most homes will see a dramatic difference within 10 days of using the OdorKlenz filter. The NanoActive technology is the best in the industry—it is comparable to that used in other natural disaster relief efforts at home, or when fire or water damage occurs. Until being manufactured by OdorKlenz, this type of filter technology was not available in a convenient cartridge that works with existing systems.Benefits of OdorKlenz Structural Surface Treatment
· Optimizes the outcome of remediation by establishing an active, protective barrier on potentially contaminated structural building materials. · Immediate surface decontamination – irreversibly captures and destroys residual Chinese Drywall-associated chemical pollutants. · Prevents corrosion of metals and recurrence of Chinese Drywall-associated unpleasant and noxious odors. · Safe and green – natural earth minerals, non-toxic, non-corrosive, benign byproducts. No extraordinary handling or disposal precautions. · Aids in protecting workers from hazardous chemical exposure during remediation. · Visual affirmation of application to exposed surfaces. · Proven effective in Chinese Drywall homes.
