Is This Pink Substance Behind My Drywall Asbestos or Just Old Drywall?

23 May 2025 3 answers
Asked by CuriousCat22
I've been trying to remove some tiles, and in the process, I've pulled off a portion of the drywall, revealing a pink chalky substance underneath. Could this be asbestos? I'm a bit worried about what it might be and would appreciate any insights! Here's a link to a picture for reference: [imgur link](https://imgur.com/a/kEKr4JZ)

Answers

DIYDave77
Seems like you've just damaged the drywall itself. That pink stuff is just drywall material, no asbestos involved. If you're in doubt about safety, you could have it tested, but it sounds like you're fine!
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HelpfulHarry9
What you're looking at is likely just the gypsum core of the drywall. It's normal for that pink chalky substance to show up when you damage the drywall during tile removal. While older drywall did sometimes contain asbestos, the most common types today don’t. So, chances are good that there's no asbestos here! Just be careful as you continue your project.
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RenovationRita
Honestly, if it were me, I’d just go ahead and take down the drywall along with the tile. If there’s a cement board or greenboard behind it, that would make more sense for water resistance in areas like kitchens. No worries about asbestos here!
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