Builder’s drywall solution may backfire

Coral Gables builder Frank Mackle discovered defective Chinese drywall in his own home and took matters into his own hands rather than wait for litigation and regulatory rulings. He gutted the house at a cost of about $80,000, saying that the longer he waits, the worse the corrosive damage will be to his wiring and fixtures. His direct approach drew a cautionary note from Coral Gables attorney David Durkee, who said Mackle may solve the problem but might not get compensation, because the evidence of problems will have been removed.