How can you tell if drywall was made in China? -Diana

Hi Diana,
Drywall is often not marked as to where it was manufactured. While some labels state that it was made in the U.S., many do not give a country of origin. Much of the defective Chinese drywall was bought in bulk by contractors, and it was not sold at most major consumer home improvement outlets.

The major U.S. manufacturers we contacted (Georgia Pacific, USG, National Gypsum, and American Gypsum) all said that their drywall is not and has never been imported from China. When in doubt, try contacting the company in question directly.

Once drywall has been installed, it’s not easy to tell who made it or where it came from. You can try removing some of the insulation in the attic and checking the back of the ceiling for identifying marks, but they can be hard to find.

The best way to tell if you have a problem with your existing drywall is if the house has a sulphur smell similar to rotten eggs. Another indicator is if there is excessive discoloration or corrosion present on copper or silver, or if you experience repeated failures of your heating/cooling system or appliances such as refrigerators, computers, and TVs.

For more information, check out our article on Toxic Chinese Drywall: Is It in Your Home?

Tags: , Chinese drywall