Question: I have water damage to my drywall, is it still good? Does it have to be replaced?

Answer: Water can come from many different sources in your home. Roof leaks, air handlers, and dishwashers, you name it. Drywall is a surprisingly resilient product when it comes to water and can withstand a great deal of water before total product failure occurs. Once it is dried out damage is usually only cosmetic. Typically a dark stain or hairline crack appears along a joint line where the drywall compound has been dissolved by the water and the tape has let loose. Not to fear, a drywall professional can usually repair the damage in a few hours with little to no mess. Even if the area has gotten wet for months, water will always find the path of least resistance and come out all in one spot. In this case all that is required is cutting out the affected area, usually only a 3′ – 4′ area and patching it in. In either situation cost is typically under $300.

A Professional Drywall Contractor At Work

Question: Should I be worried about mold on my drywall?

Answer: The most important thing to remember, without moisture mold cannot survive. So first and foremost remove the water source and the mold is history. Although lawyers and so-called mold removal experts would like you to think otherwise and open up your checkbook, mold is rarely harmful to humans and can be easily eradicated. Spraying a little bleach on it will also do the trick. If it has gotten so bad where the paper on the drywall has been actually eaten away by the mold, then a small patch job to cut out and remove the affected area is in order. Cost likely around $250.

Question: Do I have Chinese drywall in my home?

Answer: Although considerably more serious than mold and definitely in need of complete removal, my advice is to not overreact if your concerned you may have it. It’s unnecessary to spend a great deal of money for another specialist that is trying to profit on someone else’s misfortunes. Trust me; if you have Chinese drywall in your home you will know it, no question about it. The metallic burning sensation in your eyes and throat will quickly give it away. It is obvious within months of installation and unmistakable. My best advice is to call a reputable drywall or building contractor who can steer you in the right direction. Recent legal rulings are very specific in the removal of the product and failure to follow them exactly can lead to future resale problems.

Question: What does it take to remove popcorn texture from my ceiling?

Answer: As long as the ceiling has not been painted, which most have not been, a drywall professional can remove and re-texture an average sized ceiling for as little as $500 – $600. The only catch is what kind of condition the existing ceiling is in. Popcorn (acoustic) texture can hide an amazing amount of flaws, hence the reason for its popularity years ago. Some ceilings may not have been finished to normal standards and may need a complete finish coat before applying a lighter texture. Large dips, sags, or even cracking may be hidden with this texture so care should be taken before removal to fully understand how large a project you are getting yourself into.

Question: What type of texture should I pick?

Answer: I think this is probably one of the biggest issues my customers struggle with and it is probably one of the least important. I’ve found most individuals seldom even notice what texture is on the walls of a home they walk into. The only time it comes up if it’s an extremely bold or heavy texture. These textures are usually trendy and tend to wear out their welcome after only a few years. My advice is to keep it on the lighter side. Be aware of drywall contractors trying to talk you into heavy textures, it’s likely they don’t have the ability to do a high enough quality of work without heavy textures to cover up the flaws.

Question: What textures are available?

Answer: The most common texture and most universal is orange peel. It’s sprayed on with a machine to provide a light, washable, and very patchable finish that few people really notice on the wall. It’s used to bring down the labor and therefore the price of a perfectly smooth finish which can get quite expensive. It appears similar to the texture of a magnified orange peel once painted, hence the name. To dress up ceilings and also provide additional hide, knock down texture is commonly used. It is sprayed on as well, but much thicker, with larger dots. It’s a very cost-effective texture which primarily replaced popcorn texture back in the day. When the spray has tacked a large paddle is used to flatten or knock down the dots which give it its name. This texture will provide an enormous amount of hide on a ceiling or wall and many people feel its dresses up a room, but the downside is it’s extremely hard to patch and difficult to clean.
The last of the common textures is skip trowel. It is a hand texture applied with a trowel with a back and forth motion. It can be applied heavy or light depending on your preference. Because of its labor intensity it is commonly used on the ceilings of higher end homes. It can give an old world or Spanish type of look to a home as well.

Question: How do I pick a drywall contractor I can trust to do a good job?

Answer: This is a very hard question to answer, but here are a few things to watch for that might help steer you in the right direction. The biggest red flag to watch out for is a drywaller who wants money up front before they do the job. In this line of work it typically means the minute they leave your eyesight there gone never to be seen again. It’s sad, but unfortunate. Look at their vehicles, are they kept in a reasonable state. Messy, broken, or untidy vehicles tend to emulate their owners level of craftsmanship. Everyone wants to hear good news, but anyone that tells you everything you want to hear can be someone to watch out for. An example might be a texture like knockdown, which is simply impossible to patch perfect. For nine out of ten people it will look good enough, but not PERFECT. The only way to make it perfect is to skim out the entire ceiling smooth and re-spray it all. More costly, but at least you have that option up front before its painted and before you have shelled out the money to fix it once already. I would rather be honest and let people know there are limitations to what can be done than have an unhappy customer.

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Chinese Drywall

There have been many articles and newscast done about the Chinese drywall and sheetrock info. Wading through it all can take quite a bit of time and when you are finished you may still not quite understand everything that has and is happening with the litigation process, and what lawyers are doing to get the problem solved. Although the whole scenario may be complicated, we can give you a bit of understanding as to what the problem is, where it came from and what homeowners need to be about doing to protect their homes, and families from the effects left by this tainted drywall.

The first thing you need to understand is exactly what this problem is. The Chinese drywall and sheetrock info really helps answer that question. This type of drywall was imported in large quantities during the years between 2004-2007 when there was a building boom, and then shortly after hurricane Katrina. There is also evidence that there was sheetrock being built into homes as early as 2001. The drywall has gypsum inside the materials and when it is exposed to humidity it emits toxic gasses that corrode copper wires and coils and it also leaks through the walls and causes problems with appliances and even air conditioners.

The next thing you may need to know is how to detect the problem if your home is at risk. According to the Chinese drywall and sheetrock info, it appears that most people report that they smell rotten eggs upon entering their home. They also say that they experience nose bleeds and respiratory problems. Testing needs to be done to make sure it really is the Chinese drywall. In many homes, the drywall is only used in part of the house so detection is a little more difficult.

After you have made sure the problem is the drywall, you may want to check with your insurance. Most insurance companies do not want to pay out and are looking for loopholes. The best course of action is to find out how to get involved in the lawsuit that many lawyers are spending their time putting together for litigation. There are some who are going at it alone, and are finding the process very time consuming and expensive, especially when it comes to taking time off work to take care of legal issues. In the long run it’s better to have a professional helping you along. There is a lot of Chinese drywall and sheetrock info on the Internet and can be easily accessed.

The details of the latest round of testing by another Florida Environmental Consulting Firm; they are claiming to have solved the mystery about the noxious odor that is making homeowners sick. They are saying that the materials to make the drywall is recycled material from inside of smokestacks of China’s notoriously polluting coal-based energy facilities, This theory is being put forth by Intuitive Environmental Solutions of Florida. To prove this will require a trip to China and do they really think that the Chinese are going to cooperate in an investigation as massive as this problem. Maybe we can get some of Obama’s Stimulus Money to put Drywall Workers back to work removing and replacing all this bad Chinese Drywall. That would be something positive for the economy.

The latest information comes from US Senator Bill Nelson of Florida who is trying to get the IRS to allow homeowner’s to qualify for a casualty-loss deduction if government agencies determine that Chinese Drywall emits “an unusual or severe concentration of chemical fumes” that causes “extreme and unusual damage.” The tests are on going. The tax write-off could be worth tens of thousands of dollars according to Senator Bill Nelson’s office per the Sun Sentinel on July 11, 2009 issue. This will help, but what are the homeowners going to do who are strapped for cash at this time due to the economy. I know several people who have this drywall in their homes and are without jobs right now.

In conclusion, Chinese Drywall was manufactured with substandard materials and it omits noxious odors that are affecting people and creating a problem in their home. One environmental company believes that they used recycled material from inside of smokestacks of the coal burning energy facilities. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida is trying to get a casualty loss deduction from the IRS to help homeowners. People with Asthma or Allergies are being affected by these toxic materials.

First of all, you need to identify if you are repairing a hole in a wall or replacing a part of the wall or doing a whole room and ceiling. Take a visit to your local hardware store and see what sizes they supply sheetrock. They come in sheets with sizes of 4 x 8, 4 x 10 and 4 x 12. These are just the most commonly used sizes. 4 x 8 is the easiest to use. Align the bottom of the sheet in with the post and then guide the sheet towards the ceiling to place the sheet in place. You can either screw in or nail in the sheets to the wall posts or ceiling joists. Screws are mostly used because hammering in nails tends to leave a bigger dimple in the sheetrock. Tip on how to work with sheetrock: when screwing in the screws, slightly screw in facing the wall post or joist for extra security.

Every few inches around the sides, screw it into the posts. Repeat this process until you are done. Once done, sheetrock finishing is the last part. It’s the most trickiest part and so again, any “good” advice on how to work with sheetrock is more than welcome. You want to mix your jointing compound which is referred to as ‘mud’ with water. Apply to the seams with a mudding knife and tape. Keep applying the mud as well as scraping the excess away so that you get a smooth, even and seamless look. Also fill in the dimples that you made by the screws with this mud.

There are many videos and articles online that can give great tips on how to work with sheetrock. For those who aren’t quite ready for the work or the mess, a licensed professional can get the job done.

It’s best to decide what you expect out of the paint you will be putting over the bare drywall. Some people paint to simply freshen up a room with no other expectations such as:

1. hanging wallpaper at a later date or
2. having the option to wipe,
3. wash,
4. scrub the walls or
5. in kids rooms being able to remove crayon and permanent marker,
6. ability to repeatedly remove taped-up posters and pictures and
7. to apply and remove masking tape for a wild color scheme of stripes and stars,
8. applying finish paint such as eggshell or semi-gloss,
9. high traffic areas and
10. in rooms or areas with large amounts of window glare.

Whatever your expectations are for finish paints – washability and scrubabilty features and the items listed above are dependent on the basecoat beneath the top coat.

It’s important to understand the different capabilities of wall primers. Be sure to read the label carefully and determine if a particular primer is best suited for your project. It’s important the primer is also compatible with your finish coat. Be sure to ask your paint store representative if you are unsure.

To be able to make more profit many companies outsourced to China to manufacture drywall and sheetrock. Much of these materials were used in Southern Florida when many homes were rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina using Chinese drywall. After the hurricane, over ten thousand homes across the United States were built or repaired with this toxic sheet rock. The reports of toxic fumes and a rotten egg smell emitting from the walls began to resonate around 2001, increasing rapidly along with health problems.

Chinese Drywall - Toxic for your Health

Finally, the HCC expanded their investigation across the entire nation. They have actually found it in 10 states, just to name a few; New Jersey, Ohio, and Texas. Many suspected Lowes as a leading culprit, but their dry wall was tested and found to be completely safe. Lowes never sold any of this toxic drywall.

The ramifications are staggering. It basically ruins everything with electrical wiring, copper tubing, and even heating and air conditioning units. It is causing many different problems, from head aches to breathing problems. Insurance companies and builders are now in litigation, trying to decide who’s at fault here, but this could go on for years. Meanwhile, the homeowner is stuck with a house that’s uninhabitable and a hefty bill for gutting and remodeling. This could actually be one of the largest environmental disasters ever.

If you suspect that your home may have drywall from China, it is highly recommended that you get as much Chinese drywall and sheetrock info you can find. Look for any wires or pipes that have turned black, or a toxic “rotten egg” smell. Then contact the Drywall Attorney Alliance. You can even go in and get a free lawsuit review.

There is a lot of Chinese drywall and sheetrock info and sorting through it all can really open your eyes to a big problem. Florida seems to be the first of the states to be getting the ball rolling for someone to make this toxic problem right. It’s going to take a lot of man power, however to wade through insurance claims and all the litigation that is just starting to roll out. A lot of people may wonder if getting lawyers involved is the right move, but getting involved in a lawsuit on your own, especially one of this size, could really take its toll on an individual.

If you are wondering if your home has been infested with the Chinese drywall and sheetrock, info is available for you to find out how to detect if the problem is within your walls. This drywall contains a heavy amount of gypsum and is not just causing health problems, but there are those who are reporting damage to appliances in their home. Some of the health symptoms include bloody noses and allergy symptoms. It’s important to look for other signs throughout the house since these signs could be mistaken and not fully recognized unless there was an absence from the home for a length of time.

The Chinese drywall and sheetrock info reveals that there are other signs to look for to determine if your home is infested. One is a rotten egg odor. The gasses are also eroding the copper coils and wiring. If you are experiencing any or all of the symptoms, it’s a good idea to get familiar with what is happening since you also may be a victim and you may need to get in touch with lawyers who are already working on the problem and have extensive knowledge on the subject. The sooner you get help the better.

While traditionally constructed with tongue and groove wood boards, newer methods and materials have made modern day installation easier, less expensive and more efficient. An example of this would be using separate panels, like the panels that might be found on front entryway doors. Another technique, such as using large panels that can be milled from one single piece of wood, are also implemented to help reduce common past problems like contraction and expansion cracks occurring in the seams.

In the past, it has always been fairly labor intensive, expensive and time consuming to install wainscoting from scratch. Kits now exist that can deliver the same elegant results as before but without the need for a professional finish carpenter to do the job. These kits employ the use of prefabricated panels of different widths and lengths. They include, in addition to the panels themselves, horizontal and vertical rails which make up the frames into which the panels are placed. Panels are commonly made from fiberboard covered by various choices of veneer finishing.

Some typical choices for the finished veneer material include oak, maple and cherry, as well as poplar which is paint grade wood and ready to be either painted or stained in the color of your choice. Prices for these finished panels range anywhere from about seven dollars per square foot for the poplar to more than twenty dollars per square foot for the cherry. Obviously, even with the savings provided by going the kit route, doing a full room in cherry at twenty dollars per square foot is going to run into hundreds of dollars or more by the time it’s completed.

Here’s an estimate for a small room, 8 feet by 10 feet in size. Using the least expensive material listed above, the poplar at seven dollars per square foot, and 32″ high panels, the total amount required for this size room would be 96 square feet for a total cost of about $675 for just the panels themselves. Multiply this by three to get an idea of the cost to do the room in the more expensive cherry finish.

Beadboard wood has recently become a popular choice for this type of installation. An 8′ beadboard kit, including 12 panels, top cap and base molding in poplar can be found for slightly more than $100. Another option, as an alternative to buying a kit, is to have the panels custom made to your specifications.

Recently, choices of materials have expanded considerably. While hardwoods and veneers have long been most popular, there are now more economical choices. Some of these include recycled PVC planks, the beadboard material mentioned above and even something that closely resembles actual exotic wood on sight but is made from polyurethane.

Wainscoting can add a touch of class to nearly any room. With today’s technologies and materials, installation can be easy and quick. It makes for a very nice interior upgrade to your home.

There is some good news though: the IRS is giving a helping hand to those taxpayers who have suffered a loss due to corrosive drywall. The service is allowing those who have paid for repairs to their homes, due to corrosive drywall, to treat these costs as a casualty loss on their tax return. This will at least offer some relief to homeowners who have had this sulfuric headache!

http://www.IRS.gov states the following:

Revenue Procedure 2010-36 provides the following relief:

• Individuals who pay to repair damage to their personal residences or household appliances resulting from corrosive drywall may treat the amount paid as a casualty loss in the year of payment.

There are certain guidelines that must be followed in order to qualify for this loss on your tax return. For example, if you received or plan on receiving any insurance proceeds for these damages, then you may not qualify or may be limited on how much you can deduct as a loss.

If you have a casualty loss of any kind, it’s generally a very good idea to seek out professional tax preparation from a reputable and licensed preparer, such as an Enrolled Agent or a CPA.