Case Study

Cape Coral, FL

The Issue: Problem Drywall

The Solution: Treatment with ClO₂ Gas

Background

A retired grandmother purchased a home for her daughter and baby granddaughter in Cape Coral, Florida. It seemed like the perfect home to bring up a small child…lots of space, a fenced-in yard and a small enclosed swimming pool—a dream home for the family.

But immediately after moving in, they noticed a strange “rotten egg” smell that seemed to worsen the more time they spent there. They started to get headaches and have breathing problems, and the air conditioning unit failed even though it was only six months old. After just three weeks they could not stand it any longer and left, moving in with relatives.

The original builder of the home was out of business, so the grandmother was on her own. After spending a significant amount of time and money on investigations by consultants, she suspected the home contained the problematic “Chinese Drywall” that had been causing similar problems for hundreds if not thousands of other area homeowners. One suggested solution, a “rip and tear” procedure that involved replacing all the drywall, was quoted at a cost of $78,000 (excluding any furniture moving or relocation costs) and would take at least 2 to 3 months.

Sabre Investigates

Around the same time, Sabre was in the area conducting final field demonstrations of their re-sized and automated equipment for treating Chinese Drywall problems. Hearing about this particular homeowner, Sabre decided to investigate.

Using a Dry Filter Unit process developed for the detection of anthrax and adapted for use in homes with problem drywall, Sabre conducted testing which revealed that there were sufficient levels of reduced sulfur gases in the home to cause a chemical reaction with copper wiring. This would explain why the home’s new air conditioning unit failed. Sabre then took ten samples of drywall from different areas of the house for further testing. They found a Chinese manufacturer’s label on sheets of drywall in the attic. After testing the samples, Sabre determined that abnormal levels of bacteria were present in the back paper of the drywall.

Solution

Sabre treated the home and eliminated the problem. The house was tented and treated with Chlorine Dioxide using Sabre’s proprietary technology and process. All the reduced sulfur gases and volatile compounds that caused the problems were oxidized and irreversibly neutralized. Subsequent Dry Filter Unit testing confirmed the elimination of the reduced sulfur gases. With the harmful gases and the “rotten egg” smell finally gone, the grandmother helped her daughter and granddaughter move back into their dream home.