Old Artex Asbestos Testing

[jfgw]

Can anyone offer any advice re: asbestos testing of Artex?

This firm seems reasonable; I can send my own samples,
https://www.bradley-enviro.co.uk/servic ... le-testing

Has anyone used them or a similar service?


Julian F. G. W.

[AsleepInYorkshire]

Can anyone offer any advice re: asbestos testing of Artex?

This firm seems reasonable; I can send my own samples,
https://www.bradley-enviro.co.uk/servic ... le-testing

Has anyone used them or a similar service?


Julian F. G. W.

Hi Julian,

May I ask why you want to test please?

Thank you

AiY

[jfgw]

May I ask why you want to test please?

The Artex in a bathroom has deteriorated and needs to be removed. It is in too poor a condition to leave in place or plaster over. It was probably applied before 2000 so may contain a small percentage of white asbestos.


Julian F. G. W.

[sg31]

Is it cheaper to test it or overboard it and skim?

If you do remove the artex the ceiling might need replastering anyway. The cost of overboarding isn't much.

[AsleepInYorkshire]

May I ask why you want to test please?

The Artex in a bathroom has deteriorated and needs to be removed. It is in too poor a condition to leave in place or plaster over. It was probably applied before 2000 so may contain a small percentage of white asbestos.


Julian F. G. W.

Thank you.

Dependant upon the plasterboard under the artex then it would probably be easier to overboard the existing ceiling as SG31 suggests. If the plasterboard has cracked but remains dry then a bit of tape may help before unibond and skim. Alternatively a few more noggins to support the board will prevent re-cracking. Noting that if the boarding is cracked you will need to add more noggins or remove it and replace with a thicker board. If the existing board has got damp then you may need to consider replacement.

The chances of the artex containing asbestos are exceptionally high. I wouldn't waste time or money trying to establish this and assume that it does.

If you advise on the thickness of plasterboard and the timber centres it is fixed to "we" should be able to determine if additional noggins are needed. In addition if you chose to overboard then you will need to screw through the existing board to get a firm grip.

AiY

[Mike88]

Can't you seal the artex and paint over it? However, I have got a plasterer to skim over mine.

[jfgw]

Thank you for your replies.

There is loose Artex, it would need a good scrape before plastering over. Boarding is an option; I know plastering or boarding over is done. I can't help thinking that it is hiding the problem and that someone-else may disturb it later unaware that there may be asbestos.

Sending samples off would be cheaper than boarding but it wouldn't save money if it came back positive. It would save lowering the 7ft ceiling further with a layer of plasterboard though.


Julian F. G. W.

[sg31]

9.5mm board and 3mm skim = 12.5mm, half an inch in old money.

If your ceiling isn't flat the plasterer will level it out if need be at the cost of a little more height unless you tell him not to.

I've been doing renovations for 30 plus years, it would be my first choice.. To me it's a matter of expediency, cost effectiveness and quality of end product. Easy decision for me because I'd just do it in a morning unless it's a very large bathroom.

I appreciate it involves other priorities and costs for other people so you might find better value lies elsewhere. Good luck with it whatever you decide to do.