Chinese Drywall Houses - Will you DO ONE?

Posted by MiamiCuse on October 24, 2009, 7:25 pm

We all heard of Chinese drywalls and their issues.

Recently I saw two properties in south Florida being listed for sale and
they have this "CHINESE DRYWALL DISCLAIMER" with them. Being sold at a
substantially lower price - but market is in the tank anyways with so many
foreclosures.

My understanding is besides sheetrock replacement, you might also have to
replace all copper piping and possibly electrical wiring?

What is your opinion or rehabbing Chinese drywall houses? I know there are
many threads already on their issues and problems, but this thread is about
potentially rehabing one. Will you do it or stay away from it? Will you
not consider it at any price?

There is also safety hazard issues for the rehab workers while on the
premises.

Thanks in advance,

MC

Posted by zxcvbob on October 24, 2009, 7:32 pm

MiamiCuse wrote:

> We all heard of Chinese drywalls and their issues.
>
> Recently I saw two properties in south Florida being listed for sale and
> they have this "CHINESE DRYWALL DISCLAIMER" with them. Being sold at a
> substantially lower price - but market is in the tank anyways with so many
> foreclosures.
>
> My understanding is besides sheetrock replacement, you might also have to
> replace all copper piping and possibly electrical wiring?
>
> What is your opinion or rehabbing Chinese drywall houses? I know there are
> many threads already on their issues and problems, but this thread is about
> potentially rehabing one. Will you do it or stay away from it? Will you
> not consider it at any price?
>
> There is also safety hazard issues for the rehab workers while on the
> premises.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> MC
>
>

I would buy one if the price was right. Would have to replace all
the drywall and electrical fixtures; that's probably all. If the
plumbing did have to be replaced, it's not that hard to do when the
walls are gutted.

Bob

Posted by benick on October 25, 2009, 12:38 am

> MiamiCuse wrote:

>> We all heard of Chinese drywalls and their issues.
>> Recently I saw two properties in south Florida being listed for sale and
>> they have this "CHINESE DRYWALL DISCLAIMER" with them. Being sold at a
>> substantially lower price - but market is in the tank anyways with so
>> many foreclosures.
>> My understanding is besides sheetrock replacement, you might also have to
>> replace all copper piping and possibly electrical wiring?
>> What is your opinion or rehabbing Chinese drywall houses? I know there
>> are many threads already on their issues and problems, but this thread is
>> about potentially rehabing one. Will you do it or stay away from it?
>> Will you not consider it at any price?
>> There is also safety hazard issues for the rehab workers while on the
>> premises.
>> Thanks in advance,
>> MC

> I would buy one if the price was right. Would have to replace all the
> drywall and electrical fixtures; that's probably all. If the plumbing did
> have to be replaced, it's not that hard to do when the walls are gutted.
> Bob

I wouldn't touch one till I found out about any "special handling and or
disposal " of said Chicom drywall...ie , EPA , DEP OSHA , state and or
local regs. , ect....Could be quite a can of worms , especially in places
like California , Mass. NY , Maine , ect...I highly doubt you could just rip
it out and dump it at the landfill as a DIY'er....Then there's getting the
house certified as clean and suitable for habitation.....Yet another can of
worms...LOL...I'ld RUN not walk away from one at this point...Let somebody
with deeper pockets blaze the trail through the red tape and
bureacrats...LOL...HTH....

Posted by on October 24, 2009, 9:52 pm

On Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:25:28 -0400, "MiamiCuse"

>We all heard of Chinese drywalls and their issues.
>Recently I saw two properties in south Florida being listed for sale and
>they have this "CHINESE DRYWALL DISCLAIMER" with them. Being sold at a
>substantially lower price - but market is in the tank anyways with so many
>foreclosures.
>My understanding is besides sheetrock replacement, you might also have to
>replace all copper piping and possibly electrical wiring?
>What is your opinion or rehabbing Chinese drywall houses? I know there are
>many threads already on their issues and problems, but this thread is about
>potentially rehabing one. Will you do it or stay away from it? Will you
>not consider it at any price?
>There is also safety hazard issues for the rehab workers while on the
>premises.
>Thanks in advance,
>MC

I know a guy who is rehabbing two drywall houses in Cape Coral.
The main thing is you rip out all the drywall and seal the block
behind it with paint or a good sealer to sequester any sulfur that may
have migrated back there. You are probably losing the carpet.
That's when a good inspection is necessary to see how much more
trouble you have.
Typically, if the A/C was running, you need a new evaporator coil.
If it was off it is probably OK. Plumbing fixtures are a wild card.
Things that had standing water on them are usually spotted.
The worst problems are where you had water present (like the
condensate in the A/C) You were making acid when you mixed sulfur
compounds and water.
Electrically you are probably putting in new devices (receptacles and
switches) but the wires under insulation are going to be OK. If you
can't cut a little and strip enough to use, you can clean the wire.
(per that AHJ). I am still not convinced the devices are bad but if
this is your house, putting in spec grade now while you have them in
your hand is better than putting back the 40 cent ones the builder
used. If in doubt break a few open and look.
I don't think they did anything in the panel but that would be
determined by your inspection..

Posted by Red Green on October 28, 2009, 11:04 am

> We all heard of Chinese drywalls and their issues.
>
> Recently I saw two properties in south Florida being listed for sale
> and they have this "CHINESE DRYWALL DISCLAIMER" with them. Being sold
> at a substantially lower price - but market is in the tank anyways
> with so many foreclosures.
>
> My understanding is besides sheetrock replacement, you might also have
> to replace all copper piping and possibly electrical wiring?
>
> What is your opinion or rehabbing Chinese drywall houses? I know
> there are many threads already on their issues and problems, but this
> thread is about potentially rehabing one. Will you do it or stay away
> from it? Will you not consider it at any price?
>
> There is also safety hazard issues for the rehab workers while on the
> premises.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> MC
>
>

You're looking for trouble IF you buy it KNOWING it has the issue...and
will find it long term.

Apparently the realtors association in their relentless pursuit to cover
their ass came up with this. It seems to be just like the standard lead
paint addendum.

Let's say you buy and redo the place. Do you have to disclose that it
once was CD? If so, as a buyer I would not even consider the place. It
would be asking for trouble. How would I know it's been completely and
properly done? Do I want to open myself up to such a fiasco? Then does
that mean if I sell it I have to disclose it as well? Charming for
marketability. Unless I too were to sell it as-is, I'm subject to
law$uits. And if I sell it as-is we're talking deep discount.

So uh which box will they be checking?
http://www.sarasotarealtors.com/files/hottopics/SARDisclosure09042813312.pdf

Let's say you check box 3 when you sell since you pulled out all of the
drywall. OK, that would be honest. My guess is you would still be on the
hook. Stuff is still rotting away even though the drywall is gone. All
this could be argued on here and in courtrooms. That's my point. Why
expose yourself to it? Personally, as a buyer, I'd like to see a 4th box
that says whether the seller knows of any past issues, corrected or not.

Seller's Disclosure (check one):

- Chinese or defective drywall is present in the house, and Seller has
provided Buyer with all available records and reports relating to
Chinese or defective drywall in the Property as follows:

- Chinese or defective drywall is present in the house, and Seller has
no reports or records pertaining to Chinese or defective drywall in the
Property; or

- Seller has no knowledge of the existence of Chinese or defective
drywall in the Property.

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