What is Artex?
Artex is a popular design feature, most commonly found in homes built or designed in the 1960’s through to the 1990’s. The technique was used to add texture to the ceiling in swirls, circles or a ‘popcorn’ style. Originally, these textured coatings are not commonly known as Artex, as this is a trade name, however over time the two have become conjoined.
This style of ceiling was most commonly used in the same time period that asbestos containing materials were also very popular (like asbestos ceiling and floor tiles), however this does not mean that all Artex ceilings contain asbestos. If your Artex designs were created after 1999, the likelihood they contain asbestos is low.
If your home was built before 1999, the chance that any Artex ceilings contain asbestos is heightened, as White asbestos (also known as chrysotile) was an ingredient used to create the popular textured coatings.
Is asbestos in Artex dangerous?
Like all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) Artex ceilings can pose a threat to health if they are disturbed. The average artex ceiling contained approximately 1-4% of asbestos, a very small amount when compared against other ACMs. Like other ACMs, an Artex ceiling becomes dangerous when it is broken or disturbed. In more recent years, Artex ceilings are more likely to become damaged when the property owner decides to remove the design or add fixtures such as lights by drilling through the coating.
Artex ceiling removal
Artex ceiling can be removed from solid surfaces such as concrete by applying water based treatments, designed specifically for this use. Once the surface is treated, it can be safely scraped off. For artex on softer surfaces, such as plasterboard, we would remove the board as a whole to safely dispose of the artex.
The removal of Artex is not classed as licenced work, however due to the risk of asbestos presence, it is never advisable to attempt to remove Artex ceilings if you don’t have specific training.
How Reddish Vale can help with your Artex ceiling removal
With over 30 years experience in the industry, our asbestos consultants can carry out detailed asbestos surveys to help identify the presence of asbestos in your ceiling and undertake safe artex ceiling removals, compliant with current legislation. To find out more, don’t hesitate to get in touch using the links below.
