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Learning All About Painting Your Home

Hello, I'm Marc Victors. I am excited to talk to you about painting your home. I loved to change the look of my home on a regular basis by using just a bit of paint. There are a wide range of paint options for every room. Therefore, it's important to know how to select the best type of paint for each area. For example, high gloss paint should only be used in the kitchen or bathroom since those areas need frequent cleaning to stay in good shape. Using high gloss in the bedrooms or living areas gives the space a harsh sheen when the lights are turned on. Please use the information on my site to select and use the right paint for the job. Also follow my site to learn how to correct apply the paint to the walls. Thanks.

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Learning All About Painting Your Home

Diagnosing And Treating Chinese Drywall In Your U.S. Home

by Terry Fernandez

As a homeowner, you most likely understand the importance of having a clean and appealing house. Unfortunately, you are probably not placing enough concern into your home's overall construction. From improper and unsafe building codes to the use of toxic chemicals and materials, poor home construction can lead to expensive repairs and health hazards.

Considering an estimated 20 million square feet of toxic Chinese drywall was brought into the United States since 2004, understanding the dangers of this building material is wise. Using this guide, you will have the tools necessary to determine if Chinese drywall is in your home and learn the best techniques to solve the problem.

The 101 On Chinese Drywall

A boom in new home construction occurred in the United States after Hurricane Katrina's devastation. Due to this increase in construction, there was also a serious demand for inexpensive building materials in large quantities.

To keep up with demand, manufacturers in China used an unrefined coal residue to create drywall efficiently and affordably. Known as Fly Ash, the coal residue contained strontium sulfide, a toxic gas. In warm or damp climates, the drywall becomes toxic, emitting hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide into the home.

Chinese Drywall In Your U.S. Home

Determining if Chinese drywall is in your home can be difficult, but a close inspection is smart if you live in a home built between 2001 and 2009. Inspect your home for the following visible clues to determine if you have dangerous drywall:

  • Blackened/corroded electrical wiring
  • Blackened/corroded air conditioning coils
  • Chinese marking on actual drywall

If one or more of these signs are noticeable, contact a specialist to test the drywall in a lab. In addition, a strong smell similar to rotten eggs may also be a positive sign of this toxic building material.

Dangers Of Chinese Drywall

Damaged wiring to your electrical or heating and air systems can be expensive and dangerous to repair. However, Chinese drywall can also cause you and your family serious health problems. Here are a few possible issues you will face with this dangerous drywall in your home:

  • Respiratory problems – Difficulty breathing is a common health hazard for people living among Chinese drywall. In addition, you will be at a higher risk for asthma attacks.
  • Headaches – The gasses emitted from this toxic drywall can cause headaches.
  • Nosebleeds – Light bleeding from the nose may occur from breathing in the harmful chemicals.
  • Nausea – An uneasy, queasy feeling in the stomach and even possible vomiting can become an issue for many owners living in homes with Chinese drywall.
  • Fatigue – Intense sleepiness and lack of energy is also common.
  • Joint and muscle pain – Light aches and pains in your joints and muscles may be problems if you live among this drywall.

Treatment For Chinese Drywall

Removing the drywall is imperative for fixing the problem. While completely removing the toxic drywall and replacing with a safer material is necessary, it can be a time-consuming and expensive task.

Sufficient ventilation is imperative for protecting yourself from the harmful gasses, so consider opening all windows and doors. Also, circulate the indoor air by running fans and use an air-purifying vacuum to suction up drywall particles and dust. After removing the dangerous drywall, it is smart to air out the home for at least two weeks.

Before installing the new, safer drywall in your home, replace any corroded wires to prevent fires. Lastly, install new smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors for safety measures.

While it is common in many homes, Chinese drywall does not have to effect your family any longer. Using this simple tips and tools, you can diagnose and treat this unhealthy building material. For more information, contact a company like Mustang Builders Inc.

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