What should be shiny copper coils on an air conditioning unit are black and sooted, a problem associated with Chinese drywall.
As investigators and scientists examine the chemical mystery of why there are problems with drywall from China, a group of stakeholders from the home building industry will be on the case.
The group, which includes Tidewater Builders Association Past President John Ainslie, will act as a resource for government agencies involved in the investigation and will also advise national legislators on policies and legislation designed to address the problem.
Ainslie, president of production at Ainslie Group, has been a builder developer in Hampton Roads since 1984, and also serves on the Virginia State Building Codes Technical Review Board, an appointment from Governor Mark Warner.
“There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the problem drywall,” said Ainslie. “We need to know more about the chemical properties to determine the proper protocols for remediation. For instance, is there a certain time period beyond which the off-gassing diminishes and stops causing problems? Are there ways to remediate the problem without completely removing it from the house?”
“It’s important to remember in addition to home buyers, builders, suppliers and subcontractors are also victims in this,” added Ainslie. The group will advise the National Association of Home Builders on how to advocate for members who are dealing with drywall problems on behalf of their customers.
