Artex Removal and Skim Coating: Asbestos Risk, Removal Methods and Getting a Flat Finish

Summary

Artex — the trade name for a textured coating that was standard on UK ceilings from the 1960s through to the 1990s — sits on perhaps 40% of all UK pre-1990 housing stock. Decorators and plasterers encounter it on virtually every period property job, and the client question is almost always the same: "Can we get rid of it and have a flat ceiling?"

The answer has two parts. First, is the Artex safe to disturb? Pre-1985 Artex contained chrysotile asbestos; disturbing it by dry sanding, grinding, or scraping creates airborne fibres that are a serious health risk. Second, even when safe, full removal of Artex is not always the most practical approach — skim coating over it is faster, less disruptive, and produces a flat finish that most clients cannot distinguish from a full replacement.

This article covers asbestos assessment, the legal position for removal, the removal methods available, and the skim coating technique for covering Artex without removing it.

Key Facts

• Asbestos in Artex — pre-1985 Artex typically contained chrysotile (white asbestos) at 3–4% by weight as a binding agent; phased out after 1985 but some stocks used into the late 1980s
• Safe threshold — there is no absolutely safe level of asbestos fibre inhalation; chrysotile is less toxic than crocidolite (blue) or amosite (brown) but still classified as a Group 1 carcinogen
• Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) — governs all asbestos work in the UK; most asbestos Artex work falls under Regulation 3 (non-licensed work) or the notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) category
• Licensed contractor — required for asbestos work in high-risk categories; removal of asbestos-containing ceiling materials may require a licensed contractor depending on the form and extent of work
• Bulk sample test — send a 1 cm² sample of Artex to an accredited UKAS laboratory for polarised light microscopy (PLM) analysis; cost approximately £20–40; results within 2–5 working days; definitive identification
• HSE refurbishment survey — a Refurbishment and Demolition (R&D) asbestos survey is required before any work that disturbs the building fabric in a commercial building; for domestic premises, a Management Survey is recommended but not legally mandated
• Wet method removal — the only permitted method for disturbing asbestos Artex in a domestic setting without a licence; wet the surface with water plus washing-up liquid (or specialist asbestos wetting agent), minimising fibre release, then scrape off
• Steam stripper — effective for softening Artex before scraping; use in combination with wetting; creates steam which also reduces airborne dust compared to dry methods
• Skip hire category — asbestos waste (even non-licensable) is hazardous waste and cannot go in a standard skip; requires double-bagged in red asbestos waste bags, clearly labelled, and consigned to a licensed hazardous waste site via a registered carrier
• Post-2000 Artex — virtually all post-2000 textured coatings are asbestos-free; use marble dust (calcium carbonate) as the binding agent; can be safely sanded or removed
• Skim coating over Artex — preferred approach for minimal disruption; apply a bonding agent (Gyproc Bond It, SBR diluted 3:1, or PVA) to the Artex surface; apply 2–3 thin coats of finish plaster to build up a flat surface; requires approximately 6 mm total plaster depth on a heavily textured ceiling
• Weight of skim over Artex — finish plaster is light; a standard 6 mm multi-finish skim weighs approximately 12 kg/m²; compatible with standard lath-and-plaster ceilings that are in good condition

Quick Reference Table

Detailed Guidance

Asbestos Assessment: The First Step, Always

Before any decorator quotes for Artex removal, they must establish whether asbestos is present or not. Quoting without this assessment creates a liability — if the client proceeds on a quote that assumed Artex was asbestos-free and it isn't, the cost of proper removal can be 5–10× the original quote.

Visual assessment: You cannot confirm the presence or absence of asbestos visually. The fibres are invisible to the naked eye and the texture appearance is not diagnostic. Any claim that "it's just plaster, you can tell by looking" is incorrect.

Bulk sample testing:

This is the correct approach for confirmed identification:

1. Wear a P3 half-mask respirator, disposable gloves, and eye protection
2. Wet the area with water and a small amount of washing-up liquid
3. Using a sharp knife, cut and collect a 1 cm × 1 cm square of the textured material
4. Seal in a zip-lock bag, then seal in a second zip-lock bag
5. Send to a UKAS-accredited laboratory (list available via HSE)
6. Results returned in 2–5 working days

If the result is positive (asbestos present): treat as an asbestos-containing material. Follow CAR 2012 requirements. Skim-coating without removal is the preferred approach for most domestic situations — it encapsulates the Artex and avoids disturbing it.

If the result is negative (no asbestos): the material can be removed or worked on without asbestos-specific controls.

Removal Methods (Where Confirmed Asbestos-Free or Post-2000)

Steam stripping and wet scraping:

A steam stripper (wall-paper steamer) applied to Artex for 30–60 seconds per section softens the texture and the adhesion to the ceiling substrate. While still wet and hot, scrape off the textured layer with a broad scraper (150–200 mm). The steam also keeps any fibres damp and reduces airborne dust even on asbestos-free Artex.

This method works well on Artex that was applied to plasterboard or a skim coat over plasterboard. It is less effective on Artex applied directly to lath-and-plaster ceilings — the lath-and-plaster is porous and the steam causes the plaster keys to soften and can damage the ceiling.

Chemical softening:

Commercial Artex remover products (Zinsser DIF, Ronseal Artex Remover) are applied generously to the ceiling surface and left for 20–30 minutes. They contain surfactants that break down the adhesion of the Artex layer. Scrape off while wet. Multiple applications may be required for thick Artex.

Sanding (post-2000 or confirmed asbestos-free only):

Dry sanding Artex is fast but generates large amounts of dust. Use a dustless sanding system (vacuum-coupled random orbital sander) with P3 dust mask as minimum respiratory protection. Never sand pre-1985 Artex without asbestos-negative test results.

Skim Coating Over Artex: The Most Practical Approach

For most domestic ceiling jobs, skim coating over Artex is faster, cheaper, and less disruptive than removal. It is suitable for any Artex that is structurally sound (not loose, not crumbling, not water damaged).

Preparation:

1. Check for any loose sections by pressing gently with a wide scraper — any hollow sound or flexing indicates a loose section that must be removed or fixed before skimming. If more than 20% of the ceiling is loose, assess whether full removal is more economical.
2. Apply bonding agent — Gyproc Bond It, Thistle Bond It, or SBR diluted 3:1 with water, brushed generously across the entire Artex surface. Allow to go tacky (typically 20–45 minutes depending on temperature). The bonding agent prevents the dry, absorbent Artex from sucking moisture out of the finish plaster too quickly.

Skim application sequence:

The skim coat must bridge the texture of the Artex and build up to a flat surface. This requires multiple passes rather than trying to fill the texture in a single heavy coat.

First coat — bridging:

• Apply Thistle Multi-Finish or British Gypsum Multi-Finish plaster with a plasterer's trowel at approximately 2–3 mm thickness
• Work in manageable sections (1.5 m²)
• The first coat will not be flat — it will bridge the high points of the Artex but leave hollows in the deep texture

Second coat — levelling:

• Apply before the first coat has fully set (while still slightly damp) at approximately 2–3 mm
• Use the trowel to fill the hollows from the first coat pass
• Feather the edges carefully at section boundaries

Third coat — finishing:

• Apply a thin finishing layer (1–2 mm) and work the surface flat with a steel trowel
• Work in figure-of-eight patterns to avoid trowel lines
• Mist with clean water from a spray bottle to keep the plaster workable and prevent the trowel dragging the surface

Total plaster depth over Artex is typically 5–8 mm depending on texture depth. On deep Artex (fan and swirl patterns), allow up to 10 mm.

Common failure — rushing the process: Attempting to build up 8 mm in a single coat causes slumping and cracking. Allow each coat to firm up before applying the next. The total process should take 4–6 hours for an average bedroom ceiling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge more for Artex jobs if there might be asbestos?

Yes, and you should. The additional cost covers: sample testing (your time and lab cost), appropriate PPE (P3 mask, disposable coveralls, gloves), wet working method on any removal, correct hazardous waste disposal, and the liability of working with an ACM. A typical domestic Artex ceiling with asbestos testing and wet removal costs 40–70% more than an equivalent post-2000 textured ceiling. Make the additional costs transparent in your quote.

My client wants to know if the skim will crack over time. How honest should I be?

The bonding agent and correct skim technique make cracking unlikely in a well-built property. Cracking risks increase where: the substrate has structural movement (old lath-and-plaster that flexes); the Artex was not fully bonded and moves slightly; there is recurring damp from above. In period properties with lath-and-plaster ceilings, advise the client that some hairline cracking over time is possible — this is inherent in the substrate, not the skim technique. Offer crack-filling as part of annual redecoration at no extra charge to manage expectations.

Is there a way to test for asbestos without taking a sample?

No reliable method exists for in-situ testing without sampling. Portable XRF devices can indicate mineral content and are sometimes used in survey work, but PLM analysis (bulk sampling) at a UKAS lab is the definitive method accepted by HSE. Any contractor claiming they can identify asbestos Artex visually is incorrect and legally exposed if their identification is wrong.

Regulations & Standards

• Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) — all asbestos work; Regulation 4 (duty to manage), Regulation 7 (notifiable non-licensed work), Regulation 8 (licensed work); governs domestic and commercial asbestos removal

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 — general duty of care applies to all tradespeople

• Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations — asbestos waste transport; contractors must use a registered waste carrier; hazardous waste consignment note required for quantities over 200 kg

• Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Duty of Care) — correct disposal of asbestos waste at licensed sites

• BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 — not directly relevant; no electrical work involved in Artex removal unless ceiling lights are disturbed

• HSE Asbestos — Artex and Textured Coatings — HSE guidance on asbestos in Artex and decorator obligations

• Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 — legislation.gov.uk — full text of asbestos regulations

• British Gypsum Multi-Finish Application Guide — manufacturer guidance for Multi-Finish plaster over existing surfaces

• UKAS Accredited Asbestos Laboratories — directory of accredited labs for bulk sample asbestos testing

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