Weird Cement Wall Coating in Garage / Possibly Asbestos?

suprvee · 09-25-2010, 10:13 AM

My house was built in 1957, and the garage walls (and ceiling) are all covered in a skim coat of what appears to be cement (decorative finish). The coating is about 1/8" thick, and it's on top of what appears to be 2 feet by 4 feet panels. The panels are not very thick, I would guesstimate about 1/2". The panels have been drilled numerous times by the previous owners and are white on the inside (they look just like drywall). I'm slightly concerned about the possibility of these panels being AIB (asbestos insulation board); but I've never seen AIB panels before... I'll be painting over everything just in case, but I figure I'd ask first.

I've only seen this finish once in my lifetime, so it's pretty interesting. I'll bring in some pictures later on today.

gregzoll · 09-25-2010, 10:18 AM

Only way to know, is to call in a specialist and have them look. When the house was inspected, the inspector should have noted if any asbestos was found and noted in the book they gave you.

steveel · 09-25-2010, 01:41 PM

don't call a specialist to come to you. It is MUCH CHEAPER to take a sample of the suspicious material and send it to a testing lab. Look in yellowpages under "envirornmental"

Ron6519 · 09-25-2010, 02:16 PM

Asbestos is easily identified. All you need is a hobbiest microscope and a picture of what asbestos looks like.
Ron

Wildie · 09-25-2010, 07:28 PM

My house that was built in 1948 has these panels through out.
They are made from gyprock (16X48) and nailed to the studs in much the same manner as one would build a brick wall.
Most homes built after WWII with plastered walls use these. They replaced wooden lath strips.
When drywall was developed, it made this method obsolete.
Drywall is far from being superior, just cheaper.

Ron6519 · 03-24-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildie

My house that was built in 1948 has these panels through out.
They are made from gyprock (16X48) and nailed to the studs in much the same manner as one would build a brick wall.
Most homes built after WWII with plastered walls use these. They replaced wooden lath strips.
When drywall was developed, it made this method obsolete.
Drywall is far from being superior, just cheaper.

Buy a hobbyist microscope, grind up a piece and look at it. Compare it to a picture of asbestos.
They used asbestos in many building products during that time. You know, hanging on the wall it's fine. If you have an issue, just cover it with a 5/8" firecode sheetrock and tape the joints.
Ron