Help! I just bought an older house to attempt to flip, and I'm a stressed out wreck! I've recently heard that the joint compound on drywall/drywall/wallboard (and occasionally, even the drywall itself) in homes built before the mid-1970's most likely contains asbestos. After making lots of phone calls to asbestos people (Texas state agency, private firms) I found out that this is true, but yet virtually no one I've talked to in the remodeling/renovation business seems to know anything about this and they rip this stuff out all the time. Heck, on TV remodeling shows and house flipping shows they rip it out all the time! My friends all think I'm totally insane for worrying so much about this, but it is really bothering me.

Despite my reservations, I went ahead and tore out the kitchen with the help of a friend, so the demolition phase of this project is mostly done. We both wore P100 respirators and I had fans blowing out the windows. I didn't wear disposable clothing, but I threw my cloths in the washing machine as soon as I got home. I plan to go back and vacuum with a hepa filtered vacuum and wipe everything down.

But I really wonder how big an issue this is... if it is truly a hazard, why isn't it more well know? Even in home depot's Home Improvement 123 book they mention asbestos in flooring but don't saying anything about not removing drywall. Can someone help me out with this???

karen_in_texas