Artex Removal and Skim Coating: Asbestos Risk, Sampling and Safe Removal vs Skimming Over

Quick Answer: Artex (and other textured ceiling/wall coatings applied in UK homes between roughly 1960 and 2000) may contain asbestos — chrysotile (white asbestos) was used in textured coatings until banned by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 1999, which fully prohibited supply in 2000. Any pre-2000 textured coating must be assumed to contain asbestos until proven otherwise by laboratory sampling under HSG264. The safe approaches are: (1) leave intact and overboard with new plasterboard then skim, (2) leave intact and skim directly over with bonding coat plus skim, or (3) full removal by a licensed asbestos contractor (where asbestos confirmed) or competent person with appropriate PPE (where confirmed asbestos-free). Never sand, drill or break dry Artex without testing first.

Summary

Artex is a brand name (Artex Ltd) that became generic for textured surface coatings used to give ceilings and walls a decorative finish — stippled, swirled, combed or peaked. Hugely popular in UK homes from the 1960s to the 1990s. The asbestos content was usually 2–5% chrysotile, added to improve bond strength and texture; some products had up to 20%. Asbestos was removed from new formulations in 1999; old stock was used up through 2000.

Today, most Artex in UK homes is in good condition and presents low risk while undisturbed. The danger comes from any process that releases fibres — sanding, drilling, breaking, demolition. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 places duties on anyone managing or working on premises to ensure asbestos-containing materials are not disturbed without proper assessment and controls.

For a decorator or plasterer, the right starting position is: assume any pre-2000 textured coating contains asbestos. Test before working on it. If positive, plan one of the safe approaches; if negative, treat as a standard textured coating but still use sensible dust controls. This article covers the testing process, the safe-work approaches, and the skim-coat methods that bring textured ceilings back to a flat paintable finish.

Key Facts

Quick Reference Table

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Approach Asbestos Risk Cost (residential ceiling) Result
Test first Low £30–80 per sample Definitive answer
Leave intact, paint over Low (no disturbance) £100–250 per room Texture remains; cheapest
Overboard with new plasterboard Low (no Artex disturbance) £400–800 per ceiling (12 m²) Flat ceiling; adds 12–15mm height loss
Skim over intact Artex Low (no abrasion) £250–500 per ceiling Flat ceiling; no height loss
Wet-strip Artex (asbestos-free confirmed) Low (asbestos-free) £400–800 per ceiling Clean slate; longest service life
Wet-strip Artex (asbestos present, NNLW) Medium (controlled) £600–1200 per ceiling Clean slate; legally compliant
Licensed asbestos removal Specialist £1000–2500+ per ceiling Licensed contractor; full removal
Symptom Likely Cause Recommended Action
Pre-2000 ceiling with textured finish Possibly asbestos Test first
Post-2000 install, gypsum-textured Asbestos-free Treat as standard material
Customer demands flat ceiling Multiple options Discuss skim-over vs overboard vs removal
Customer pre-asks "is it asbestos?" Concerns; test required Sample, send to lab
Existing ceiling damaged or partly removed High risk if untested Stop work; test; resume with appropriate method

Detailed Guidance

Identifying suspect Artex

Indicators that suggest asbestos in textured coating:

Modern (post-2000) textured coatings:

You cannot tell asbestos from non-asbestos by appearance. Test or assume.

Sampling for asbestos analysis

The procedure for taking a sample:

  1. Wear PPE: type 5 disposable coverall, FFP3 mask (face-fit tested), gloves, eye protection
  2. Wet the area — fine mist of water; reduces airborne fibres
  3. Use a sharp knife or small chisel to remove a 25mm × 25mm piece including the full thickness
  4. Place in a sealable plastic bag; double-bag if heavily contaminated
  5. Label with date, location and your contact details
  6. Wet-wipe the sample area to clean any released fibres
  7. Send to a UKAS-accredited asbestos laboratory — typical fee £30–80 per sample
  8. Turn-around — 2–7 days depending on lab and priority

For occupied homes, take samples when the room is empty and avoid creating dust. Some local authorities offer asbestos testing services for residents; otherwise commercial laboratories.

If the result is positive

Once asbestos is confirmed, three options:

  1. Leave intact — paint, overboard, or skim over. The asbestos is sealed and undisturbed.
  2. Remove by competent person under NNLW (non-licensed notifiable work) — appropriate for limited area, low-friability work like Artex on solid surface. Requires asbestos awareness training, PPE, wet methods, controlled enclosure, licensed waste disposal.
  3. Licensed asbestos contractor — for higher-risk situations (extensive area, fragile substrate, complex access)

For most domestic Artex ceilings (low friability, intact, accessible), option 1 or option 2 are appropriate. Option 3 is rare for Artex specifically.

Skim over intact Artex

The most common practical approach: leave the Artex in place and skim over.

Procedure:

  1. Test to confirm asbestos status (assume positive if pre-2000)
  2. Apply PVA bonding agent — diluted 5:1 PVA:water — paint over the Artex and allow to dry overnight. This seals the surface and provides a key for the plaster
  3. Apply bonding coat — 8–10mm thick coat of bonding plaster over the entire ceiling; allow to set (typical 2–4 hours)
  4. Apply skim coat — two coats of finish plaster (typically Thistle Multi-Finish or board finish), 2–3mm total thickness; flatten and polish
  5. Allow to dry — 1–4 weeks depending on conditions and depth
  6. Mist coat with diluted emulsion
  7. Two coats matt emulsion as topcoat

The result: a flat, smooth, paintable ceiling. The Artex remains underneath, sealed and undisturbed. The skim coat is durable for 30+ years.

Overboard with new plasterboard

For deeper Artex, very rough textures, or where the customer wants a fresh substrate:

  1. Test for asbestos
  2. Fix battens to the joists through the existing Artex (use long screws; predrill to minimise dust)
  3. Install new plasterboard (typically 12.5mm) screwed to the battens
  4. Tape and skim the new plasterboard
  5. Decorate as normal

Adds 12–25mm to ceiling height (battens + board); not ideal for low-headroom rooms. Eliminates any direct disturbance of the Artex.

Wet-strip Artex (asbestos confirmed, by competent person)

For full removal where the customer wants the original substrate exposed:

  1. Notify HSE if the work meets NNLW criteria (usually >1 hour duration, or where airborne control limit may be exceeded)
  2. Set up controlled work area — polythene sheeting on floor and walls; closed doorways with sealed sheeting
  3. Wear full PPE — disposable coveralls, FFP3 mask (face-fit tested), gloves
  4. Mist with water — generous spray to wet the coating thoroughly
  5. Scrape with putty knife or paint scraper — work in small sections; keep wetting
  6. Bag waste immediately — double-bag in red asbestos waste bags; label with UN 2212
  7. Wet-wipe everything — sheeting, tools, surrounding area
  8. Dispose at a licensed asbestos disposal facility — keep transfer notes
  9. Final clean — HEPA-vacuum (not normal vacuum); wet-wipe surfaces
  10. Bag PPE as asbestos waste at end

This is not amateur work. Even though "non-licensed", it requires asbestos awareness training and proper procedure. Many decorators rightly subcontract this to specialists.

Wet-strip Artex (asbestos-free confirmed)

Same procedure as above without the asbestos protocols:

  1. Score the texture with a wallpaper scraper
  2. Apply Artex removal solution (Eko Wallpaper Stripper, X-Tex, or proprietary)
  3. Allow to soften (4–8 hours; some products require overnight)
  4. Scrape off with a wallpaper scraper
  5. Wash residue with clean water
  6. Allow to dry
  7. PVA seal; mist coat; topcoat as standard

Even confirmed asbestos-free Artex removal generates significant dust — wear FFP2 mask and eye protection.

Mist-coat and decorating after skim

A new skim coat must be sealed with a mist coat before standard emulsion or wallpaper:

  1. Allow plaster to fully dry — pink-grey colour change; typically 1–4 weeks depending on thickness and conditions
  2. Mist coat — matt emulsion diluted 50% with water; brushed or rolled over the whole surface
  3. Allow mist coat to dry — 24 hours
  4. Sand any nibs or runs with fine sandpaper
  5. Two coats matt emulsion — undiluted; standard application

Skipping the mist coat → emulsion peels off the plaster within months because the porous plaster sucks the binder out of the paint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is all Artex asbestos?

No. Only Artex (and similar textured coatings) installed pre-2000 may contain asbestos. Modern products are asbestos-free. The only way to be certain is laboratory testing.

Can I sand Artex without testing first?

No — sanding any pre-2000 textured coating without testing is a serious health risk. Asbestos fibres released by sanding are the primary inhalation hazard. Always test first.

Can I paint over Artex?

Yes — painting over intact, sound Artex is the lowest-risk approach. Wash with sugar soap to remove dust; mist coat; two coats emulsion. The Artex texture remains visible but is sealed under paint.

How much does asbestos testing cost?

£30–80 per sample at a UKAS-accredited laboratory. For a single ceiling, one sample is usually sufficient. For larger jobs or where the Artex application varies, multiple samples may be needed.

Can I leave Artex and just plasterboard over?

Yes — overboarding is a sealed approach that doesn't disturb the Artex. Adds 12–25mm to ceiling height but gives a fresh substrate to skim and decorate.

What's the difference between licensed and non-licensed asbestos work?

Licensed work is highest-risk: pipe lagging, sprayed coatings, asbestos insulation board on fragile substrates. Only licensed contractors can do this. Non-licensed work covers lower-risk activities like removing small areas of textile-bound asbestos products; some still require HSE notification (NNLW). Artex removal usually falls in non-licensed; the HSE flowchart confirms specifics.

Can I dispose of Artex in normal household waste?

No — asbestos-containing waste must go to a licensed facility. Even asbestos-free Artex waste is best disposed via builders' merchants' construction waste rather than household recycling. Keep waste transfer notes for asbestos.

Regulations & Standards