This time of year, we all think about what we should do for ourselves or our families. One of the easiest and most important things you can do is as easy as putting the holiday decorations back in the attic. If your home was built or remodeled between 2001 and 2006, you should take just a few minutes to check for defective Chinese drywall. Take a flashlight; climb into the attic, and push some of the insulation out of the way. Look for the words “KNAUF” or “Made in China,” which could be a sign that you have defective drywall. Taking the time right now to check your home for toxic drywall can help you protect your home, your family and your pocketbook.

“It’s important to check for Chinese drywall now—even if you’ve seen no signs of a problem,” says Baron & Budd shareholder Bruce Steckler, who works with homeowners dealing with toxic drywall. “Many homes in the southern and western United States contain defective drywall, but symptoms of the problem—like the distinctive odor of rotten eggs, failing appliances or corroding wiring—haven’t appeared yet.”

Much of the attention on Chinese drywall has been in Florida, where problems appeared quickly because of high humidity. Humidity results in offgassing of hydrogen sulfide in the defective drywall and accelerates manifestation of the property damage.

“By identifying the defective drywall now, you may be able to mitigate the problem before seasonal humidity increases, causing additional damage,” says Steckler.

Steckler serves on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in In Re: Chinese-Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2047) in the federal district court in New Orleans, where all Chinese drywall lawsuits pending in federal court have been consolidated.

Current estimates are that 60,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. are living in homes that contain defective Chinese drywall. Between 2001 and 2006, Chinese drywall was imported into the United States to cover shortages of building materials. States of particular concern include Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, California, Nevada, South Carolina and Virginia. More than 315 million pounds of Chinese drywall was imported into these states in 2006 alone. Chinese drywall has been linked to serious property issues—including corrosion of metal components and appliances—and also health problems.

If you think your home may have Chinese drywall, contact us to discuss your legal rights.