These flowers were created right on the wall using joint compound.

Question from Arlene

Hi Debra,

Have you heard of Beadex Silver Set Lightweight Setting-Type Joint Compounds ? I learned of it on this website. http://greenhomeguide.com/askapro/question/i-am-having-my-breakfast-room-remodeled-i-know-that-premixed-joint-compound-is-toxic-but-is-dry-mix-mixed-onsite-ok

I am asking on behalf of a practitioner who has some chemically sensitive clients but is not sensitive herself. I suggested Murco M100, but it is not locally available and costs a lot of money to ship in.

Thanks so much for all your work and the wealth of information you provide.

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with this product, nor have I heard of it.

But the article by Mary Cordaro at your link is a good one.

And here’s another article by Mary on chemicals in joint compounds: https://www.greenhomeguide.org/askapro/question/is-joint-compound-really-safe-i-m-concerned-about-polyvinyl-acetate-binders

I’ve known Mary for years and trust her research. If she recommends a product, I’ve never disagreed.

Here are Mary’s recommended joint compounds:

• Beadex Silver Set Lightweight Setting-Type Joint Compounds: The MSDS for these products reports no formaldehyde, aldehyde, vinyl alcohol polymer, or vinyl acetate monomer. So if this product is right for your particular application, this product looks to be nontoxic.

 

• KEIM Dolomitspachtel, the only ready-to-use, premixed, chemical-free, biocide-free joint compound. The natural lime in this joint compound preserves the product without chemical biocides. This product is more expensive than conventional ready-mix joint compounds.

 

• Murco M-100, a dry, chemical-free joint compound. Murco is a very popular alternative, successfully used by many contractors, but requires more labor time. Some contractors don’t feel that it provides a hard enough surface, however, or feel that it may crack more easily in earthquake-prone areas.

 

• Hamilton Smooth Set and Smooth Set Light Weight, also called Westpac Fast Setand Fast Set Lite. To avoid biocides, purchase Hamilton Smooth Set or Smooth Set Light Weight, Westpac Fast Set and Fast Set Lite in bags only (not boxes), and do not purchase Eco-Finish or any other versions offered by Hamilton and Westpac. Smooth Set and Fast Set are actually patching compounds, but as long as a contractor is skilled with applying fast-drying plasters, this is a great, healthy alternative product that dries very hard. However, it does require more labor and definitely more application skills.

Readers, any experience with any of the recommended joint compounds?

I recently looked for a nontoxic joint compound on the shelf at Home Depot and couldn’t find one.

If any one knows of any other safe joint compounds, please comment.

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