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Atlanta Home Inspector shares information about Chinese Drywall

Bonnie Lelak — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:38:00 +0000

As An Atlanta Home Inspector I have been asked more and more about the Chinese Drywall. I am happy to be able to tell those that have asked me about it, that I have not ran across any of it during my Atlanta home inspections. However I did run across the following article on my InterNachi membership website and thought it was full of valuable information. I hope it helps with the questions you may have.

Chinese Drywall

by Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard

Amidst a wave of Chinese import scares, ranging from toxic toys to tainted pet food, reports of contaminated drywall from that country have been popping up across the American Southeast. Chinese companies use unrefined “fly ash,” a coal residue found in smokestacks in coal-fired power plants in their manufacturing process. Fly ash contains strontium sulfide, a toxic substance commonly found in fireworks. In hot and wet environments, this substance can offgas into hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide and contaminate a home’s air supply.

The bulk of these incidents have been reported in Florida and other southern states, likely due to the high levels of heat and humidity in that region. Most of the affected homes were built during the housing boom between 2004 and 2007, especially in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when domestic building materials were in short supply. An estimated 250,000 tons of drywall were imported from China during that time period because it was cheap and plentiful. This material was used in the construction of approximately 100,000 homes in the United States, and many believe this has lead to serious health and property damage.
Although not believed to be life- threatening, exposure to high levels of airborne hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur compounds from contaminated drywall can result in the following physical ailments:

sore throat;
sinus irritation;
coughing;
wheezing;
headache;
dry or burning eyes; and/or
respiratory infections.

Due to this problem’s recent nature, there are currently no government or industry standards for inspecting contaminated drywall in homes. Professionals who have handled contaminated drywall in the past may know how to inspect for sulfur compounds but there are no agencies that offer certification in this form of inspection. Homeowners should beware of con artists attempting to make quick money off of this widespread scare by claiming to be licensed or certified drywall inspectors. An inspector can use the following tips to identify if a home’s drywall is contaminated:

The house has a strong sulfur smell reminiscent of rotten eggs.
Exposed copper wiring appears dark and corroded. Silver jewelry and silverware can become similarly corroded and discolored after several months of exposure.
A manufacturer’s label on the back of the drywall can be used to link it with manufacturers that are known to have used contaminated materials. One way to look for this is to enter the attic and remove some of the insulation.
Drywall samples can be sent to a lab to be tested for dangerous levels of sulfur. This is the best testing method but also the most expensive.

Contaminated Chinese drywall cannot be repaired. Affected homeowners are being forced to either suffer bad health and failing appliances due to wire corrosion or replace the drywall entirely, a procedure which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. This contamination further reduces home values in a real estate environment already plagued by crisis. Some insurance companies are refusing to pay for drywall replacement and many of their clients are facing financial ruin. Class-action lawsuits have been filed against homebuilders, suppliers, and importers of contaminated Chinese drywall. Some large manufacturers named in these lawsuits are Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, Knauf Gips, and Taishan Gypsum.

The Florida Department of Health recently tested drywall from three Chinese manufacturers and a domestic sample and published their findings. They found “a distinct difference in drywall that was manufactured in the United States and those that were manufactured in China.” The Chinese samples contained traces of strontium sulfide and emitted a sulfur odor when exposed to moisture and intense heat, while the American sample did not. The U.S. Consumer Safety Commission is currently performing similar tests. Other tests performed by Lennar, a builder that used Chinese drywall in 80 Florida homes, and Knauf Plasterboard, a manufacturer of the drywall, came to different conclusions than the Florida Department of Health. Both found safe levels of sulfur compounds in the samples that they tested. There is currently no scientific proof that Chinese drywall is responsible for the allegations against it.

Regardless of its source, contamination of some sort is damaging property and health in the southern U.S. The media, who have publicized the issue, almost unanimously report that the blame lies with imported Chinese drywall that contains corrosive sulfur compounds originating from ash produced by Chinese coal-fired power plants. Homes affected by this contamination can suffer serious damage to the metal parts of appliances and piping and lead, potentially leading to considerable health issues. While no governing body has issued regulations regarding contaminated drywall, it is advisable that home inspectors be aware of the danger it poses and learn how to identify it.

You can also schedule your own Georgia home inspection today online.

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Alpharetta Home buyers happy with the Atlanta home inspector

Bonnie Lelak — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:50:25 +0000

Louis and Heather, new home buyers in Alpharetta Georgia, are extremely happy with their Alpharetta home inspection. Every home inspection I do I take great pleasure in making sure that I take the time and go over any and all questions so that the home buyers are confident and have a great peace of mind when they are finished.

You can also schedule your own Georgia home inspection today online.

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Atlanta home inspector shares 5 ways to get your loan quicker

Bonnie Lelak — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:07:37 +0000

As An Atlanta Home Inspector I love being able to not only provide valuable information on home inspections in Georgia, but I love sharing other tips and tricks to help you during your home buying process. So when I found this information from Lisa Saunders and Kathy Delbridge over at Home Savings of America I knew that it would be information that you would find helpful.

Five ways to make the loan process go faster

We should say that “working with us” is the first way! When you let us help you find the loan that’s right for you, you truly are taking advantage of some of the area’s best technology and expertise to get you a loan decision and funding on your loan quickly.

But here are five “other” ways you can speed up the process of getting a mortgage loan:

1. Have everything ready and in one place. Elsewhere on our website, you’ll find a list of things you might need in support of your mortgage application. If you get them all together and keep them in a safe, portable place like a special pouch or folder, you can cut down on time spent rooting around for things we may need. Also, you’ll help cut down on your own anxiety and confusion.

2. Be honest and complete when you fill out your application. “Fudging” your employment or residence history or omitting open credit accounts you’d rather not have considered doesn’t increase your chances of getting a favorable loan. In 100 percent of cases, it makes it harder, and take longer.

3. Respond promptly to requests for additional information. During processing, we or the lender considering your loan may need additional information. Provide it as soon as you get the request, or return the call as soon as you get the message.

4. Be prepared to explain derogatory items in your credit report. This is really part of number 2 above. If you had an illness or a divorce where you missed or made late payments, or you have other instances of late payments or delinquencies on your credit report, be prepared to explain them. Be honest, and don’t be nervous! The loan processor isn’t judging you, they’re trying to fill in all the blanks in their paperwork.

5. Let the appraiser in! The appraisal is one of the lengthiest parts of the mortgage loan process. Studies have shown that the single biggest factor in appraisal “lag time” is the appraiser’s inability to reach the homeowner to make an appointment. If you’re refinancing and the appraiser calls to make an appointment, make it as soon as convenient for both of you.

And remember that the appraiser doesn’t want to buy your house. He or she will say what the house is worth clean and tidy and in reasonable repair, even if you have some dirty laundry on the laundry room floor or dirty dishes in the sink. Cleaning doesn’t get you a higher appraisal! Letting the appraiser in as soon as possible gets you a loan faster, though.

You can also schedule your own Georgia home inspection today online.

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Atlanta home inspector shares a few different home maintenance issues

Bonnie Lelak — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:18:01 +0000

As an Atlanta home inspector I constantly find different maintenance issues. In the following video I point out some different items that you can do to maintain your home, which will increase the value whether live there forever or sell it later on down the road.

Check back often for new ways to help maintain your home or different items that you could be doing around your home.

David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia.

We are proud to offer our new FREE Home Concierge Services where one call does it all, Satellite, Internet, Cable TV, Home Security, and Phone. Call 1-866-594-4871 and provide them with access code 1008126. Call our Free Home Concierge Services to save time, save money and simplify life!
You can also schedule your own home inspection today online.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time.

TPR Valve issue found in a Alpharetta Home Inspection

Bonnie Lelak — Sun, 24 May 2009 15:07:25 +0000

: Atlanta home inspector shares TPR valve problem

As an Atlanta home inspector I look for all kinds of issues while doing a home inspection. Some things are typical and then some things are out of the ordinary. This TPR Valve was installed with an uphill slope when it should have been installed with a level slope at least. Would you as a home owner have noticed this? We are trained to look for the un-ordinary. Call me today at 404-788-2581 if you want a thorough North Georgia home inspection. My promise to you is this, I will inspect your perspective home as if my family was going to live in it. I will check for any and all safety issues that may affect you and your loved ones. You can also schedule your home inspection online.

Atlanta home inspector shares common electrical panel home inspection issue

Bonnie Lelak — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:45:11 +0000

Atlanta home inspector highly recommends sealing off the holes in the electrical panel to prevent bugs and mice from getting down in your electrical panel. “What’s that Smell?” Maybe something fried! Yuck!

In all seriuousness, you really dont want anything getting down in your electrical panel and causing problems, sealing the holes off is your best solution.

For your home inspection needs call us today!

Presented by the Atlanta home inspector, David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections, he serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia. Call us today at 404-788-2581 for a thorough home inspection. We won’t let you buy the money pit.

You can also schedule your own home inspection today online.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time

In case you need a laugh today! Here it is from the Atlanta home inspector

Bonnie Lelak — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:09:22 +0000

Atlanta home inspector wanted to share this just in case you need a laugh today!

Your Yearly Dementia Test

It’s that time of year to take our annual senior
citizen test.
Exercise of the brain is as important as exercise of the
muscles. As we grow older, it’s important to keep
mentally alert… If you don’t use it, you lose it!
Below is a very private way to gauge your loss or non-loss
of intelligence.
Take the test presented here to determine if you’re
losing it or not. The spaces below are so you don’t see
the answers until you’ve made your answer.
OK, relax, clear your mind and begin.
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1. What do you put in a toaster?
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Answer: ‘bread.’ If you said ‘toast,’
give up now and do something else.
Try not to hurt yourself. If you said, bread, go to
Question 2.

2. Say ‘ silk’ five times. Now spell
’silk.’ What do cows drink?

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Answer: Cows drink water. If you said ‘milk,’
don’t attempt the next question. Your brain is
over-stressed and may even overheat. Content yourself with
reading a more appropriate literature such as Auto World.
However, if you said ‘water’, proceed to question
3.

3. If a red house is made from red bricks and a blue
house is made from blue bricks and a pink house is made
from pink bricks and a black house is made from black
bricks, what is a green house made from?
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Answer: Greenhouses are made from glass. If you said
’green bricks,’ why are you still reading these???
If you said ‘glass,’ go on to Question 4.

4. It’s twenty years ago, and a plane is flying at
20,000 feet over Germany (If you will recall, Germany at
the time was politically divided into West Germany and
East Germany.) Anyway, during the flight, two engines
fail. The pilot, realizing that the last remaining engine
is also failing, decides on a crash landing procedure.
Unfortunately the engine fails before he can do so and the
plane fatally crashes smack in the middle of ‘no
man’s land’ between East Germany and West
Germany. Where would you bury the survivors? East Germany,
West Germany, or no man’s land’?

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Answer: You don’t bury survivors.
If you said ANYTHING else, you’re a dunce and you
must stop. If you said, ‘You don’t bury
survivors’, proceed to the next question.

5. Without using a calculator – You are driving a bus
from London to Milford Haven in Wales. In London, 17
people get on the bus. In Reading, six people get off the
bus and nine people get on. In Swindon, two people get off
and four get on. In Cardiff, 11 people get off and 16
people get on. In Swansea, three people get off and five
people get on . In Carmathen, six people get off and three
get on. You then arrive at Milford Haven.
What was the name of the bus driver?
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Answer: Oh, for crying out loud!
Don’t you remember your own name? It was YOU!!

PS: 95% of people fail most of the questions!!

If you’re in need of a few more laughs you can get good clean jokes here!

If you need to schedule a great home inspector for a home inspection schedule it here.

Also take time to to check out our ActiveRain blog. Have a fantastic Day!

The Alpharetta home inspector never thought he would see this during an Alpharetta roof inspection

Bonnie Lelak — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:15:02 +0000

As an Alpharetta home inspector I have seen some really unusual things before, but this one nearly took the cake! During a routine home inspection in Alpharetta Georgia I ran across the following home inspection item in the following picture.

That’s right, folks! Here’s the mark up!

We found a water spigot on top of the roof along with a bracket for what I guess is a hose to slide through. Now I have to admit, this is either the most unusual things I have seen or maybe the wisest things I have seen. You see this house is surrounded by beautiful huge trees and the leaves are all in the gutters and on the roof. So if I was going to clean the mess off the roof I would probably try and pressure wash it or at least hose it and the gutters off. This home owner just took it a step further and put his spigot right there on the roof for easy access.

David Lelak is an Alpharetta home inspector and owner of IHI Home Inspections and serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia. Call David today at 404-788-2581 to get your dream home inspected.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Atlanta Home Inspection at a time.

Integrity is what you’ll get from IHI Home Inspections

Bonnie Lelak — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:24:59 +0000

It’s not very often that you find a company whose customer service goes above and beyond your expectations. David Lelak with IHI Home Inspections was extremely professional, friendly, and thorough in his home inspection. He presented us with a detailed home inspection report that even impressed my husband who is usually not easy to impress! David brought things to our attention that would have gone unattended to without his knowledge and would have ended up costing us a lot of money down the line. I will definitely recommend this company in the future. If you need a professional and detail oriented home inspection company – look no further than IHI Home Inspections

Aly McLain of Canton, GA