Plasterboard? Cement render?

[Eryna]

Hello,

I'm about to start renovating my walls and am trying to determine what my insulation is made of.

Most of my walls are like this, with some kind of plaster/cardboard/white stuff inside, and sound pretty hollow:

And others are like this, with a lot of cracks, sound hollow in places and solid in others:

Can anyone help?
This was built in the late 80's, so I'm also trying to figure out if I should get them tested for asbestos or if it looks like your usual plaster stuff.

Thank you!

 

[Wayners]

I can see a plasterboard around the electrical socket.

You probably have a mix of solid supporting walks and stud walls. Unlikely to have any asbestos

 

[PolarNorth78]

The socket looks like plasterboard from the image so nothing to be concerned about.

Re asbestos, look at where the material is and what it's used for. I would be cautious of anything that would be fire proofing in say a garage or behind what was the boiler for warm air heating. The drainage stack cladding is another place where you can find it.

In terms of the main house, be careful around window lintels as you may have asbestos shims. But it's only an issue if you drill into them. Leave it alone and it's fine.

Edit, you do have the classic Artex but this is quite obvious if your walls are covered in it!

 

[Eryna]

Hello,

Thank you both for your insight! I really appreciate it!

I realise I didn't say much about the place - it's a top-floor flat in a Victorian house, so I doubt much was done to fireproof the rooms.
The external-facing wall (with the cracks) is supposed to be backed by brickwork. I just wasn't expecting to find that kind of material indoors, and in what seems to be a single slab at that! Everywhere else seems to be plasterboard. Might this one be render?
(Sorry if it should be obvious, I'm really new to this!)

I'm not familiar with Artex but I'll look into it! Thank you so much!

 

[PolarNorth78]

Thanks. When you say 1980s, I presume this when the conversion to flats was done? If so, be very careful around materials between the flats. If there are firebreaks between each dwelling, this was a typical use of asbestos materials as its highly fire resistant.

Knowing it's a victorian house though is much easier so will be much lower risk in your living areas in terms of the super structure.

Also, to clarify my bit a about Artex, I can't see any in your pictures so not suggesting you have it. It's highlighting its one of the very obvious examples you can see by eye. It was a textured decorative coating and actually stands for Asbestos Reinforced Textured Coatings.

 

[Eryna]

Yes, that's when the conversion was done! The house itself was built in 1879, I think.
And thank you, I will keep that in mind!

I hope it's okay to ask here, as I'd rather not create a new topic about much the same thing...
I've been thinking of ways to level the most damaged wall after filling/sanding the cracks as best I can. Plastering sounds a bit too intimidating, but it looks like some products (like this one) can make the job easier.
From what I understand, it's closer to filler than plaster, and is easier to use for fine skimming... I've seen glowing reviews about the Toupret brand. Does this approach make sense? Or is it too good to be true?
Not that I'll do a good job anyway, but I'll never learn if I don't try!

 

[PolarNorth78]

If it was built in 1879 I doubt there is any asbestos in the super structure. Just be careful around any renovation work done in the 80s!

I'm not experienced on plastering so will leave to others to give you the best advice.

However, as you've mentioned fillers (for as and when the time comes!), Toupret are a great brand, albeit expensive. If you are using a filler, if the wall is cold (notably external walls), use an exterior filler you mix yourself as they cure via a chemical reaction. I had to fill some holes in an exterior wall and the interior filler wouldn't take so used an exterior product (mix in the bag mortar) to fill the hole which worked nicely.

 

[Eryna]

Thanks for the advice, PolarNorth! That wall is pretty cold indeed, so I'm sure it will come in handy.