In its most recent revision to the the remediation protocol for homes with chinese drywall the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has reversed its previous standard and now says it isn’t necessary to remove the electrical wiring during the remediation process. The change in protocol comes after the results of laboratory tests showed that long term exposure to the hydrogen sulfide gas emitted by chinese drywall does not pose a fire safety issue.
This new protocol now poses a dilemma for those homeowners who must decide whether to remove the wiring, or leave it in place. Although there are a number of factors to consider, one of the main factors stems from the fact that this new protocol recommendation is in direct conflict the the protocol established by Judge Fallon. As explained in detail in one of our chinese drywall remediation videos, Judge Fallon and the CPSC approach the chinese drywall problem from different perspectives, which means that homeowners still have to make some decisions on their own as to the full extent of remediation they pursue. (To see how the two protocols differ, please view the video at – Chinese Drywall Remediation Protocol Comparison ).
Our current recommendation, based upon our experience and the advice of our experts, is to still remove all electrical wiring from the home. Here are the reasons why:
- Judge Fallon’s ruling states that the wiring must be removed.
- The science impacting this new protocol decision is still new, and many question its determinations. What you don’t want to do is go through the entire chinese drywall remediation process, leave the electrical wiring in place, and then discover at some point in the future that they are again recommending that all wiring should be removed!
- “You deserve what you paid for.” In an email from David Durkee – one of the most prominent chinese drywall attorneys in Florida http://www.robertsanddurkee.com/ – David shared with us that “Even if the CPSC is correct and it is not a safety issue (something both of my experts refute); under civil law we, more likely than not, will still be able to collect for this damage. The theory was that you bought a new home or relatively new home. You deserve what you paid for. If your home is different from the home down the street in a negative way, why should you suffer this harm. You deserve what you paid for. We will still pursue damages for the electrical wiring.”
So, in summary, we are still strongly recommending to our clients that they remove all electrical wiring from their homes during the remediation process.
The full release of the CPSC Protocol Revision can be viewed at: Consumer Product Safety Commission Protocol Revision – Electrical Wiring
Charter Bay Home Builders is a full-service Tampa Chinese Drywall Remediator,Remodeler, and Custom Home Builder working throughout the greater Tampa Bay area including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee, and Sarasota. Charter Bay can help with your Chinese Drywall Problems and Remediation, Additions, Kitchen Remodeling, Bath Remodeling, Renovation, Remodeling, Home Design, Cabinets, Design Build, and New Home Building needs.
In addition, as one of the few Tampa remodelers, contractors, or home builders with multiple green building and green remodeling certifications (FGBC Certifying Agent and NAHB Certified Green Building Professional), Charter Bay can also assist those clients who want green features and sustainable building practices incorporated into their projects.
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