In recent years, homeowners have become more conscious that asbestos can be present in their homes. Not only can it be discovered in roofing materials and vinyl, but also in your ceiling. Many people are now asking about their Artex ceiling and whether or not Artex contains asbestos.

Whether you plan on plastering over Artex with asbestos, or you’re not even sure if you have a ceiling with asbestos, read on. We’ll cover everything you need to know about Artex ceilings so that you can make an informed decision.

What is Artex?

Artex is a form of surface coating, most commonly found on ceilings, that allows interior decorators to add texture. The name Artex comes from a company based in the UK – Artex Ltd.  

While Artex looks similar to plaster, it has been marketed a little differently. It was advertised as a product that could receive a textured finish, which means renovators could finish the ceiling without plastering skills.

Throughout the 1970s, it was a popular option, and you may realise that by simply looking at your own ceilings or those of your friends’ homes. If you notice any stippling or swirls, you either have Artex or textured paint.

How is Artex Dangerous?

Artex is a simple plastering material, so how can it be dangerous? Until around the mid-1980s, white asbestos was used in the Artex coating to strengthen it. Artex Ltd stopped using asbestos around the mid-1980s. However, there was still a period after that time when renovators and decorators may have used old stock.

Therefore, even if your home was built in the 1990s, it can be worth requesting an Artex asbestos testing kit for peace of mind.

It’s worth noting, though, that Artex ceilings are not dangerous when they are left alone. If they are in excellent condition and you leave them alone, you are quite safe in your own home. This ceiling material only becomes hazardous when it’s in powder form or if you are about to undertake renovations to it.

Therefore, if you’re wondering if flaking Artex is dangerous, then the answer is yes. If you begin scraping Artex ceilings, asbestos exposure is a genuine reality.

Can I Remove An Artex Ceiling?

If you have a cracked Artex ceiling, asbestos can pose a severe risk. In that case, or if you are wanting to undertake renovations, removing your Artex ceiling can be crucial. When the time comes to undertake this process, it’s best to leave it in the hands of an expert.  

They have the appropriate licences to manage the risks and wear all proper PPE to carry out the job safely. What’s more, given that removing Artex ceilings can fall under the category of friable asbestos, it’s not a job the average DIYer can carry out themselves, anyway.  

Fortunately, asbestos removal teams have access to a wide variety of products to help them carry out the removal process safely. There are dedicated Artex removal products on the market that use water-based technology to remove textured coatings without harmful asbestos fibres.

How to Identify an Artex Ceiling

You may have scoured the internet looking for information on how to identify an Artex ceiling. You may have even searched for ‘Asbestos Watchdog – Artex’ which is an agency dedicated to helping people with asbestos problems since 2003. 

The harsh reality is that there is no way of knowing whether your Artex ceiling contains asbestos just by looking at it. Even if it does contain asbestos, it’s mixed in with several other materials, making it impossible to know. 

To err on the side of caution, assume that it does contain asbestos, and contact your local asbestos removal company to carry out a test. You can then move forward with your renovation plans once you know if it does or doesn’t.

How Do You Test for Asbestos in an Artex Ceiling?

The process is for asbestos testing in Artex ceilings is simple and straightforward and can offer much-needed peace of mind.

An asbestos expert can arrive in PPE to scrape the coating with a scraper or screwdriver. They then put the sample material into a container for transport to a lab. Because of the nature of decorative finishes, several samples may be taken to ensure they can test a broad area and come to a definitive conclusion.

My Ceiling Contains Artex – What Do I Do?

The first thing you do is don’t panic! Remember, Artex ceilings only pose a health risk when they are cracked, damaged, renovated. If your ceilings are in good condition and undamaged, you can leave them as they are.

Otherwise, you may like to plaster over the textured coating or add a new layer of plasterboard. If you are going with the latter option, any drilling work must take place in a controlled manner to avoid exposure.

If you plan on carrying out extensive renovations, complete removal with help from an asbestos removal team can be your best option. In that case, consider contacting the experts today to get the process underway.