Comments on: Toxic Drywall in Calgary?

By: Elaine Zinkhan Turnbull

Elaine Zinkhan Turnbull — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:05:09 +0000

Please send a copy of this article to:

Thank you!

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:15:18 +0000

Mie Fotiou:

Yes, I stand corrected. I did some research myself as well and Home Depot did not sell this product. Sorry for the mis-information.

A lawyer or BBB complaint against a seller agent/brokerage (for non-disclosure) is more a likely action than involving the police. But the police could take a report and act upon it if it is breaking the law in any way.

As with any large-dollar transaction buyers should should do their due-dilligence and check with the fraud squad and BBB.

Mike

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:35:21 +0000

Of course there is going to be some "Made in China" drywall in Calgary, it's cheap and was widely available at Home Depot stores. Destory one's home and posessions for just having 3 sheets of it installed? Wow, that's toxic stuff. I imagine NO home has any resale value if it has this toxic drywall installed and just think how many renovations were done in Calgary homes from 2000-2007! That's 1/2 the city!! Buyers would then be wise to look out for any of the above signs and if you see them, report them to the CREB, the selling realtor and the police (to make sure CREB and the S/R actually does something about it). Mike Mike Fotiou says: Mike, Home Depot has never sold Chinese Drywall in any of its stores in Canada or US (Source 1, Source 2) What exactly would the police do? The issue is whether it's a latent or patent material defect. Another thing to consider, foreclosures are sold "as is, where is" with "no warranties or representations."

By: JS

JS — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:43:54 +0000

It seems a bit racist/culturalist to make a statement like “Chinese-made drywall” rather than identify specific brands or makes. Kind of like saying “Canadian-made lumber” has defects. This kind of inflammatory stuff only antagonizes people.

Mike Fotiou says: There’s more than just one brand, and it is all manufactured in China. As the article states, some brands are identified by name (Knauf Tianjin) while other drywall is stamped simply ‘Made in China’. I’m not sure how to better state that in a PC way. If lumber from Canada had some sort of defect, you bet it would be labelled that way. When madcow was discovered in Alberta, it was “Alberta Beef” exports that were banned. etc, etc.

By: Mike Fotiou

Mike Fotiou — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:13:23 +0000

Just found this clip on Youtube – an “investigative” report on Chinese Drywall from the US. I had to shake my head at the reporter at 1:40.

Then fast forward a few months to June 2009 – same reporter, same company.

Anyways, here are some reports from ABC News and CNN

And here’s a news release from the Senators of Florida and Louisana who have been plagued by these events: “First Tests Find Suspect Material in Chinese Made Drywall”

As well, legislation has been introduced (the Drywall Safety Act of 2009) to ban dangerous drywall (source)