The Chinese Drywall Problem

The Building Envelope Science Institute (BESI) is a specialized institute dedicated to the advancement of skills based education, specifically designed for the construction industry. The Institute’s first major contribution to the industry is in providing a solution to the Chinese Drywall problem. Also referred to as tainted, reactive, corrosive and toxic drywall, the presence of defective drywall material originating from china has affected building owners in 38 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico.

The institute recognizes the importance of providing proper training and education for industry professionals required to perform inspections, provide building owners with a chinese drywall report and undertake remediation on structures with defective drywall. In accordance with this recognition of the chinese drywall problem, BESI has held conferences throughout Florida and Louisiana since October 2009 providing excellent training for qualified individuals. The institute provides specialized quality education and training to experienced, qualified individuals, conveying the knowledge and skills necessary for performing inspections and remediation on structures that were built with defective, corrosive, reactive or tainted drywall products.

The enormity of the chinese drywall problem has created a complex series of issues which chinese drywall contractors must take into account when they are engaged to investigate the presence of defective drywall in a building. There are legal issues and implications, including the Lowes chinese drywall decision, remediation protocols set down by Judge Fallon in the federal court, health effects and out of pocket costs, all a part of the landscape within which builders and contractors much negotiate.

This certification program offered through the Institute (BESI) instructs and trains licensed and approved state contractors or builders in the remediation of defective chinese drywall. This certification is the most comprehensive training program for inspection and remediation of structures with Defective “Chinese” Drywall. Graduates of these courses are given the opportunity to qualify their work for a 10-year warranty which provides coverage for up to $500,000. The institute’s training program for Defective Drywall covers topics such as inspection and identification techniques, corrosion, cross-contamination of building materials and personal belongings, remediation methods, warranty program, scientific data including presentation of a chinese drywall report, preservation of evidence, and removal of the stigma from having defective drywall.

The institute provides information on a number of available remediation methods during its training seminar; however, BESI certification is only being offered on the endorsed protocol since the other remediation methods do not require a high standard of training nor do they offer third-party quality control. Structures remediated by those certified through this program meet the CPSC’s guidance and Judge Fallon’s Finding of Fact & Conclusions of Law (Case No. 09-6687).

The institute has a “Nationwide Directory of Members” that currently allows individuals to locate BESI certified inspectors and remediators for defective chinese drywall in their area and compare the services offered by these companies.

At this time, these certifications should be considered an evolving process requiring continual updates and modifications as new information becomes available. All students that successfully pass the proctored exams will be updated through the institute at no cost as long as they are members.

For more information on the Chinese drywall certifications, contact the institute and we will respond as soon as possible.

Companies Specializing in Solutions to the Chinese Drywall Problem

Please refer to the Nationwide Directory of members. The Directory is not a referral service, so it is your responsibility to check the contractor’s licensing and qualifications.