Chinese Drywall concerns (Tampa: houses, buyer, square footage)

[Diesel350z]

Crist appeals to FEMA for drywall aid

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/business/realestate/housekeys/blog/Request%20For%20IA%20JPDA%20Chinese%20Drywall%20Im pacts.pdf


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – March 11, 2010 – Governor Charlie Crist directed Interim Emergency Management Director David Halstead to write a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Administrator Phillip May regarding federal assistance for Floridians affected by defective drywall.

In the letter, the governor asks FEMA to “conduct a preliminary damage assessment related to the issue caused by the degradation of Chinese drywall used in homebuilding in Florida.” According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, “Homeowners’ insurance does not cover the damages cause by the Chinese drywall.”

“While the health implications remain under investigation, it is undisputed the Chinese drywall corrodes copper and other metal surfaces, causing the degradation of non-performance of wiring, plumbing, appliances and smoke detectors,” the letter says.

While some cases have likely not been reported yet, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), working with property appraisers in Florida’s 67 counties, compiled a list of the problems. According to FDOH, 530 Florida homes meet the “threshold for being impacted. Further, county property appraisers in Florida have identified 2505 homes that have had their value adjusted downward based on damage from the presence of toxic Chinese drywall. An additional 846 claims for adjustment due to the presence of Chinese drywall are pending.”

FDOH also compiled a list of the top 12 counties impacted by the presence of toxic drywall: Lee (86 cases), Broward (65), Palm Beach (63), Miami-Dade (57), Hillsborough (55), St. Lucie (50), Indian River (35), Sarasota (17), Collier (16), Manatee (13), Pasco (11) and Charlotte (10).

[Blonde_Surfer2]

Do we have running list of the community developements that have been affected by CDW?

Who have you guys used as a "Good" CDW tester? I just had my house in Riverview inspected and they didnt see any signs of CDW, but he said that I should have a CDW test performed to be sure

[Diesel350z]

Originally Posted by Blonde_Surfer2

Do we have running list of the community developements that have been affected by CDW?

That won't help anyone determine if you have chinese drwyall or not. It has already been determined that one house in a development may have chinese drywall and another may not.

Who have you guys used as a "Good" CDW tester? I just had my house in Riverview inspected and they didnt see any signs of CDW, but he said that I should have a CDW test performed to be sure

If they did a visual inspection and did not see any signs of CDW then you don't have it. Don't waste your money on a CDW test. Look at your copper coils in the air conditioning vent and any copper wires for corrosion. If you don't see any corrosion anywhere in the house you don't have it. You can look at these pictures for reference: chinese drywall

[Diesel350z]

Bellweather drywall case in hands of judge | Section Business | HeraldTribune.com
Bellwether drywall case in hands of judge


NEW ORLEANS - The fate of thousands of people grappling with flawed Chinese drywall now rests in the hands of a jury of one: U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon.




Click to enlarge U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon.

Fallon heard extensive testimony all week in his New Orleans courtroom from plaintiffs and defendants in this Chinese drywall bellwether trial -- and his decision on what needs to be done to fix a contaminated Louisiana home will likely cascade to countless other homeowners across the country waiting for guidance.
On Friday he addressed the court with a simple and imperative message: The time for a decision is now. He said the effects of the drywall are "going to get worse the longer it stays in" homes, and further meandering cannot stand.
"So we have to deal with it, and deal with it as fast as possible," Fallon said from the bench Friday afternoon.
Fallon said he would be "working on it with dispatch" to deliver his much-anticipated verdict in the case. It has focused on the scope of remediation necessary to fix a home with drywall manufactured by Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd., but Fallon hopes it will help set the stage for both sides to come to a more broad settlement to fix all tainted homes in the litigation.
"It's one thing to theoretically analyze a case, but there's nothing like putting it before a court," Fallon said. "I think after you do that, both sides need to take a look at this matter and see whether you've learned enough from this experience to take a global look at the problem."
While attorneys began packing up dozens of evidence boxes and hauling them out of the courtroom, Fallon himself indicated he was going back to his chambers Friday to immediately start poring over the voluminous evidence and testimony, and planned to rule as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, the week's proceedings concluded with a fiery and impassioned speech by the plaintiffs' liaison counsel, Russ Herman, who excoriated the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a hapless investigation and an unwillingness to even observe the trial, even though the agency has said it is working to develop remediation guidelines.
"Is there a CPSC representative in this courtroom?" Herman boomed, turning around to face the gallery. "Is there?"
There was not.
"The CPSC is going to issue its rulings without observing one expert witness that's come before you," Herman said, addressing the judge. He said the thousands of affected homeowners that are part of the massive litigation deserved better.
"We will not on their behalf accept findings that are not full remediation," Herman said. He continued: "We will accept your honor's ruling, not what the homebuilders think should be done, or what the CPSC thinks should be done."
He said during the CPSC's visit to China, it "doesn't go to every mine, every factory -- it goes to some negotiated few that the Chinese tell them is the Chinese version. That's not the crucible of justice we have in an American court."

[Diesel350z]

Some great news!!

The Associated Press: Judge awards families $2.6M over Chinese drywall

Judge awards families $2.6M over Chinese drywall
By CAIN BURDEAU and MICHAEL KUNZELMAN (AP) – 1 hour ago
NEW ORLEANS — A New Orleans federal judge on Thursday awarded seven Virginia families $2.6 million in damages for homes ruined by sulfur-emitting drywall made in China, a decision that could affect how lawsuits by thousands of other homeowners are settled.


Moderator cut: copyright issues

[fmccarthy]

How about the expensive high-rise condos at Channelside. IIRC, they were built in that time frame.

[Diesel350z]

Originally Posted by fmccarthy

How about the expensive high-rise condos at Channelside. IIRC, they were built in that time frame.

Doubt it, I haven't heard anything

[TechRider]

anyone know if houses built by Windward in the Tampa area are affected?

[Diesel350z]

Here is what Chinese Drywall did to my belongings.



Pretty crazy eh?

[bentlebee]

Wow, and careful for Home Owners who claim that they have changed the drywall. How much did they replace since I have heard that some people now are stating that for $ 5000 you can fix up a Chinese drywall home...while the State had mentioned it would cost $ 100 K which is to me kind of a red flag if I hear $ 5 K.