Looking towards the busy season, contractors from across the country may run into a repair this year that is not usually on the list of standard maintenance — corroded copper coils.

Residents, in Southern coastal areas especially, are finding that their a/c units aren’t the only thing corroding. Copper wiring, fixtures, etc., are experiencing this phenomenon as well.

According to multiple reports from local news and health departments in Florida, Texas, Nevada, and more, shipments of tainted drywall from China are allegedly emitting sulfur dioxide that is causing ill effects on the hardware and the occupants of the home.

So far, the only fix is to gut the house, install new drywall, and replace or repair any wiring, appliances, or other materials damaged.

Who is going to pay for all of that? Should the homeowner, the drywall installer, or the drywall manufacturer? Are sulfur dioxide damages even covered under homeowner’s insurance, or should the damaged coil be covered under manufacturer warranty?

Southern residents aren’t the only ones experiencing this issue, and where initially some a/c manufacturers may have been willing to replace the coils, as this problem becomes more widespread, some are deciding that it is not a warranty issue and will not be covered.

Class action lawsuits are already being filed and much research has begun, but as a contractor on the frontlines of home comfort, IAQ, and customer service, how are you going to handle this situation when it arises?

And, what do you do for your customer until somebody comes up with a solution?