Written by Tom Yates . Edited 8th December 2023
Fact Checked by William Wright, NEBOSH
Unfortunately there is no common theme to look for with artex, most designs are unique as they where created by the painter / decorator applying the textured coating. Any raised paint should be considered.
No not all Artex contains asbestos, however it did commonly contain asbestos pre 1990. It's always worth testing artex which was applied before the year 2000 to ensure it doesn't contain asbestos.
Taking an accurate representative sample of an artex ceiling is achieved by taking deep scrapings from multiple locations of the same surface (this is because its application was sporadic and so could be positive in some areas and negative in others) We have developed an more in-depth guide which you can read here
Tom Yates
03/01/2023
Plastering over asbestos artex is an option. However it should be done with caution and if any tradesmen are being appointed to do the works they should be made aware of the asbestos identification so they can risk assess accordingly. The problem with plastering over asbestos containing artex is it is simply hiding the risk. For example if you where to move out of the property and the new homeowner was unaware they may drill into the newly plastered ceiling to attach a light fitting and expose themselves to asbestos fibres released when they hit the old artex. This is why we would always recommend having it removed.
If you are the owner of the property and it is classed as a domestic dwelling then there are no laws preventing you from removing the artex yourself, however, we would always recommend instructing professionals to carry out any removal works for you to protect your health.
If you are an employee or the property is classed as non-domestic or commercial then you are bound by the laws of the HSE. You may be able to remove them yourself providing you have relevant training and experience in doing so. It's worth checking the HSE guidance on this to ensure you're not contravening any health & safety laws.
Potentially. Whilst we would always recommend having them removed by professionals, some property owners would prefer to save the expense and simply cover the Artex up such as over boarding. However, if you need to screw or nail into the old asbestos ceiling to affix the new plasterboard then this would disturb the artex and cause a release of asbestos fibres. So we advise against this option.
If your artex is in good condition and not deteriorating then you are fine to keep it in situ. It won't be causing any harm as the material is heavily bonded and sealed by the paint.
As a precaution you may want to apply new coatings of paint every few years to maintain its condition and keep it all sealed.
However, if you need to disturb the artex then encapsulation isn't going to help.
To dispose of asbestos in line with legislation the boarding should be bagged up using UN-certified asbestos waste bags. The material should be first put into the red bag which is then sealed using heavy-duty tape to create an air-tight seal. The clear bag should then be placed inside the red bag and again sealed with tape. This technique is called double-bagging. These bags can then be taken to the hazardous waste skip at a local waste recycling facility.
Full PPE Included
He's some other interesting articles we've written:
What is AIB / Asbestos Insulation Board
Get an Asbestos Removal Quote
How Much Does Asbestos Cost To Remove?
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