Is There Asbestos in Your Drywall?

Before you begin a remodeling project, there are several questions you should ask.  One of the most important things to consider, especially if you are working in an older home, is whether or not there is asbestos in the drywall.

Asbestos is a natural material that was used in many construction applications between 1930 and 1980 for its strength and heat resistance.  As the effects of exposure to asbestos were discovered throughout the mid-1900s, its use began to decline.  Canada placed restrictions on its use in the 1980s, and in December of 2018 products containing asbestos were banned from general use.

If your home was built prior to 1980, however, it is highly likely that your drywall contains asbestos. While the mere presence of asbestos-containing drywall in your home is not a cause for concern, you do need to know what you are dealing with before you remove, replace, or otherwise disturb your drywall.  Even if your home was built after 1980, there is a chance that older materials were used or that smaller amounts of asbestos were still added.

If you are in any way unsure about the presence of asbestos in your drywall, it is best to have your walls tested before you begin a large scale remodeling project.  Asbestos fibers are small and are embedded inside the drywall, so it is nearly impossible to tell if drywall contains asbestos by simply looking at it.  Testing kits are available at many home improvement stores that allow you to collect your own sample and send it to a laboratory for testing.  A variety of qualified professionals are also available to safely collect and test samples for you.  This testing generally costs between $25 and $50 per sample.

If asbestos is detected in your drywall, it is highly recommended that you contract with a licensed professional to safely remove the affected material.  If you do choose to perform the work yourself, following a few simple guidelines will help protect you from potentially serious health issues in the future.

1. Limit the size of your project.  If you need to remove more than 10 square feet of asbestos-containing drywall, we strongly recommend that you employ the help of a professional.
2. Wear a respirator.  Respirators fitted with the proper filters (such as the P100 cartridge) can greatly reduce your exposure to airborne asbestos particles.
3. Wear disposable clothing covers.  Asbestos can cling to clothing.  Remove the disposable covers before leaving the jobsite to avoid tracking it into other areas.
4. Dampen the drywall.  Keep a spray bottle filled with a mixture of water and dish soap nearby, and keep the drywall damp the entire time you are working to minimize dust.

While asbestos was a common building material component fifty years ago, its harmful long-term effects are now very well known.  For the sake of your health, do not jump into a remodeling project blindly.  Test your walls for asbestos, and hire a professional when needed.  Your healthy future self will thank you!

Still have questions? Our professionals are here to help with all your drywall needs!