Handyman tips
Artex Ceilings: Remove, Paint Over or Plaster?
Artex may contain asbestos in homes built or refurbished before 2000. What HSE says, when it is safe to leave, and what to do before any work.
· Handyman Manchester
Artex is the swirled, textured coating that covers many ceilings and walls. Many owners want it gone. Before you decide what to do with it, find out whether it contains asbestos.
Why age matters
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says asbestos may be part of any building built or refurbished before the year 2000, and it lists textured decorative coatings, commonly called Artex, among the materials that may contain it. Asbestos was banned in 1999. A council guide from Lambeth puts it plainly: if the Artex in your building is from before 1999, it is likely to contain asbestos, and it is safest to assume it does.
Left alone and sealed, it poses no risk
The same Lambeth guide says the asbestos in Artex poses no risk at all if left undisturbed. If the coating is in good condition and completely sealed, it says painting over it with a soft roller and normal emulsion paint is safe. Damage changes that. If the Artex is drilled, hammered or otherwise damaged, it can cause a health risk, and the guide says anyone with damaged Artex should seek advice first.
What not to do
- Do not sand it. HSE's guidance for tradespeople says never to scrape through or sand down textured coatings.
- Do not use power tools to cut through it, which HSE's guidance for tradespeople also warns against.
- Do not scrape it off to "see what is underneath" before you know what it is.
Your three options
- Leave it and paint it, if it is sound and sealed.
- Cover it. Plastering over Artex is one of the jobs we do. Any work that could disturb the surface needs the asbestos question answered first.
- Have it removed. HSE says work on asbestos materials must be done by people trained to recognise and work safely with asbestos. Ask HSE or a qualified surveyor what applies to your job.
Before you book anyone
If your home was built or refurbished before 2000, find out what your ceiling is made of before any work starts. Your local council, or a qualified asbestos surveyor, can advise on testing. Tell every tradesperson you ask about the ceiling.
For a ceiling that is safe to leave, or a room where the surface needs to be made good afterwards, see our plastering services or ask for a fixed-price quote.