US20100229497A1

Movatterモバイル変換

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Publication number: US20100229497A1
Application number: US12/689,108
Authority: US
Inventors: Chad E. Boisselle; Ross M. Boisselle; Vito Ciaramitaro
Original assignee: CHINESE DRYWALL EXPERTS I LLC
Current assignee: CHINESE DRYWALL EXPERTS I LLC
Priority date: 2010-01-18
Filing date: 2010-01-18
Publication date: 2010-09-16

Abstract

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a method and system for hazardous drywall remediation (1). The main stages of the hazardous drywall remediation method and system include conducting pre-remediation (2) of a structure, conducting remediation (3) of the structure and conducting post-mediation (4) of the structure. During pre-remediation of a structure the existence or non-existence of hazardous drywall in a structure is confirmed and documented in a written pre-remediation report (8). Next, during remediation of the structure all hazardous drywall, contaminated building materials, hazardous gasses and hazardous residues are removed from the structure. Finally, during post-mediation of the structure the non-existence of hazardous drywall in the structure is confirmed and documented in a written post-remediation report (29), which is then may be recorded in the public records (30).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to remediation methods and systems for structures contaminated with hazardous material, more particularly, a remediation method for identifying hazardous drywall within a structure, removing the hazardous drywall and any contaminated building materials from the interior of the structure, cleaning and removing hazardous gasses and residues from the structure and documenting, the remediation of the structure so that current occupants and future occupants will be assured that the structure has been completely remediated and is safe.

Drywall is a common building material used in residential and commercial structures for constructing interior walls. Drywall is typically made of a layer of gypsum-based plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper, then dried in a kiln. Foreign drywall, specifically drywall originating from China, was imported by the United States during the construction boom between 2000 and 2007 because United States manufacturers were not able to keep up with the increased demand. Importation was further spurred by a shortage of American-made drywall due to the rebuilding demand of nine hurricanes that hit the United States from 2004 to 2005. The problems with imported drywall have been attributed to the use of fly ash in the drywall, which degrades in the presence of heat and moisture and emits hazardous gasses. Defective drywall exhibits several symptoms, including giving off a hydrogen sulfide gas that smells like rotten eggs and grows worse with heat and humidity. The hydrogen sulfide gas poses health risks to occupants of the structure and causes corrosion of anything metal, such as pipes, electrical wires, fixtures, appliances and even furniture, thereby creating safety hazards, such as electrical fires.

Therefore, a need exists for a method and system for performing a complete remediation of structures containing defective foreign drywall, in which the presence of hazardous drywall in a structure is determined, all hazardous drywall and contaminated building materials are removed from the structure, all hazardous gasses and residues are removed from the structure and the remediation is fully documents, thereby assuring current and future occupants that the structure poses no health or safety risks from hazardous drywall.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:


Pat. No.
(U.S. unless stated
otherwise)	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date

2009/0081310	Mason	Mar. 26, 2009
7,118,718	Ellis et al.	Oct. 10, 2006
FR2,863,098	Alexandroff	Jan. 13, 2005
FR2,815,276	Leseigneur	Apr. 19, 2002
5,753,031	Block	May 19, 1998
5,741,366	Zelez et al.	Apr. 21, 1998
5,685,112	Fara	Nov. 11, 1997
5,511,908	Van Valkenburgh et al.	Apr. 30, 1996
5,457,922	Fara	Oct. 17, 1995
5,201,152	Heffner	Apr. 13, 1993
5,039,365	Rutledge, Sr. et al.	Aug. 13, 1991
4,608,238	Wilson, Sr. et al.	Aug. 26, 1986

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a hazardous drywall remediation method and system in which all hazardous gasses and residues are removed from the structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hazardous drywall remediation method and system in which the presence of hazardous drywall in a structure is determined and documented.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hazardous drywall remediation method and system in which all hazardous drywall and contaminated building materials are removed from the structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hazardous drywall remediation method and system in which a final inspection is performed after the remediation to ensure there is no longer any threat from the hazardous drywall.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a hazardous drywall remediation method and system in which the remediation and the final inspection are documented in a written report and recorded in the public records.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing hazardous drywall remediation method and system having a set of steps and elements for conducting pre-mediation, a set of steps for conducting the hazardous drywall remediation and a set of steps and elements for conducting post-mediation.

During pre-remediation, the existence or non-existence of hazardous drywall in a structure is confirmed and documented in a written pre-remediation report. First, the structure is inspected for signs associated with hazardous drywall. Specifically, the structure is examined for the presence of corroded metals, such as plumbing, wires, coolant lines, the interior of any air handlers, appliances, etc. If the presence of corrosion is found, then photos are taken to document the presence of hazardous drywall. In addition, the structure is inspected for the presence of any noxious odors, such as a rotten-egg smell commonly associated with wet sulfur. Finally, the results of the inspection are documented in written in a pre-remediation report that also sets forth details about the structure, such as the size of the structure, the layout of the structure, what type of heating ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) units are located in the structure and so forth.

If the presence of hazardous drywall is determined during pre-remediation, then hazardous drywall remediation is conducted. First, all necessary permits are obtained, such as alteration/remodeling permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, HVAC permits, low volt permits, etc. Next, power and water are disconnected from the structure. Then, photo documentation is taken of any corroded metals. Next, samples of the corroded metals are taken and documented. Then, demolition of the interior of the structure is carried out. First, all drywall is removed from the structure. Samples are taken from each full sheet of drywall removed from the structure and documented. In addition, photo documentation is taken of any labeling showing the source of the hazardous drywall. Next, the home is taken down to the bare studs by removing all appliances, counter tops, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, electrical fixtures, HVAC systems, insulation, wiring, doors, mill/trim work, electrical wiring, copper plumbing, hard surface flooring and so forth. Then, any contaminated building materials are disposed of, preferably in Class 1 landfills in accordance with The Federal Department of Environmental Protection's regulations. Next, the structure is vacuumed using HEPA filtered vacuums. Then, any damaged interior framing is repaired and/or replaced. Next, a cleaning procedure is performed, in which all surfaces are cleaned with HEPA-filtered vacuums, the air is cleaned with HEPA filtration machines and all surfaces are cleaned with a mild cleaning detergent. Then, de-humidifiers are used to accelerate the off-gassing and drying of the surfaces. Next, all surfaces are cleaned with HEPA-filtered vacuums. Finally, the home is ventilated with open air for a period of fourteen days.

After the hazardous drywall remediation is completed, post-remediation is conducted and the non-existence of hazardous drywall in the structure is confirmed and documented in a written post-remediation report. First, a physical inspection is performed wherein the interior of the structure is examined for any remaining signs of hazardous drywall or contaminated building materials. Then, the results of the inspection are documented in written post-remediation report that sets forth what work was performed during the hazardous drywall remediation. Then, the post-remediation report is recorded in the public records as certification to future occupants of the structure that the structure has been fully remediated and all hazardous drywall and contaminated building materials have been removed, thereby making the structure safe.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the hazardous drywall remediation method and system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the pre-remediation stage of the hazardous drywall remediation method and system of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the remediation stage of the hazardous drywall remediation method and system of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the post-remediation stage of the hazardous drywall remediation method and system of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

1. hazardous drywall remediation method and system
2. pre-remediation
3. remediation
4. post-remediation
5. examine structure for presence of noxious odors
6. examine structure for visual signs of contaminated building materials
7. take photo documentation
8. prepare written pre-remediation report
9. obtain necessary permits
10. disconnect power and water
11. collect samples of contaminated building materials
12. demolition of interior structure
13. remove all drywall
14. collect samples of drywall
15. take photos of labeling on drywall
16. remove all contaminated building materials
17. dispose of drywall and contaminated building materials
18. vacuum interior of structure
19. repair and/or replace damaged interior framing
20. vacuum interior of structure
21. clean all surfaces with detergent
22. filter air
23. de-humidify air
24. vacuum interior of structure
25. ventilate structure
26. perform physical inspection
27. examine structure for visual signs of hazardous drywall and/or contaminated building materials
28. examine structure for presence of noxious odors
29. prepare written post-remediation report
30. record post-remediation report

With reference toFIG. 1, a flow chart showing the stages of the hazardous drywall remediation method1 of the present invention is shown. The main stages of the hazardous drywall remediation method include conductingpre-remediation2 of a structure, conductingremediation3 of the structure and conductingpost-mediation4 of the structure. Duringpre-remediation2 of a structure the existence or non-existence of hazardous drywall in a structure is confirmed and documented in a written pre-remediation report. Next, duringremediation3 the structure all hazardous drywall, contaminated building materials, hazardous gasses and hazardous residues are removed from the structure. Finally, duringpost-mediation4 of the structure the non-existence of hazardous drywall in the structure is confirmed and documented in a written post-remediation report.

Now referring toFIG. 2, a flow chart showing thepre-remediation stage2 of the hazardous drywall remediation method1 of the present invention is shown. First, the structure is examined for the presence of anynoxious odors5 caused by hydrogen sulfide gas, such as a rotten-egg smell commonly associated with wet sulfur. Next, the structure is inspected for any building materials showing signs ofcontamination6 caused by hydrogen sulfide gas. Specifically, metals, such as plumbing, wires, coolant lines, air handlers, appliances, etc., located within the structure are examined for signs of corrosion. Then, photos are taken of any contaminatedbuilding materials7 as evidence of the presence of hazardous drywall. Finally, the results of the inspection are documented in a writtenpre-remediation report8. The pre-remediation report includes the type and size of the structure, what the structure is built out of, what the interior walls are built out of, if an noxious odors were found and if any contaminated building materials were found. In addition, the pre-remediation report states a conclusion as to whether hazardous drywall is present in the structure.

Now referring toFIG. 3, a flow chart showing theremediation stage3 of the hazardous drywall remediation method1 of the present invention is shown. First, all necessary permits are obtained9, such as alteration/remodeling permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, heating ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) permits, low volt permits, etc. Next, power and water are disconnected from thestructure10. Then, samples of contaminated building materials, such as corroded metals, are taken and documented11. Then demolition of the interior of the structure is carried out12. Demolition includes first removing all drywall from thestructure13. Then, taking samples from each full sheet of drywall removed from thestructure14. Next, taking photo documentation of any labeling located on the drywall that shows the source of thehazardous drywall15. Then, taking the structure down to the bare studs by removing all contaminatedbuilding materials16, which includes removing all appliances, counter tops, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, electrical fixtures, HVAC systems, insulation, wiring, doors, mill/trim work, electrical wiring, copper plumbing, hard surface flooring. Next, disposing of all hazardous drywall and contaminatedbuilding materials17. Then, the structure is vacuumed18 using HEPA filtered vacuums. Next, any damaged interior framing is repaired and/or replaced19. Then, all surfaces are cleaned with HEPA-filtered vacuums for asecond time20. Next, all surfaces are cleaned with amild cleaning detergent21. Then, the air is cleaned withHEPA filtration machines22. Next, de-humidifiers are placed within thestructure23 to accelerate the off-gassing and drying of the surfaces. The air may be cleaned22 and de-humidified23 at the same time to speed up the process. Then, all surfaces are cleaned with HEPA-filtered vacuums again24. Finally, the home is ventilated with open air for an extended period oftime25.

Finally referring toFIG. 4, a flow chart showing thepost-remediation stage4 of the hazardous drywall remediation method1 of the present invention is shown. First, a physical inspection is performed26 wherein the interior of the structure is examined for any remaining visual signs of hazardous drywall and/or contaminatedbuilding materials27 and the structure is examined for the presence of anynoxious odors28. Then, the results of the assessment are documented in writtenpost-remediation report29 that sets forth what work was performed during the remediation stage of the hazardous drywall remediation method. Then, the post-remediation report is recorded30 in the public records as certification to future owners and/or occupants of the structure that the structure has been fully remediated and all hazardous drywall and contaminated building materials have been removed, thereby ensuring the structure is safe.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.