Guide to removing an artex ceiling
Just like woodchip wallpaper and shagpile carpets, Artex swirled ceilings were the height of fashion in the 1970s.
Many British homes still have this sort of textured coating on their ceilings at home.
If you’re thinking about giving your 1970's home a bit of a makeover, chances are that the first thing to go will be the Artex ceiling.
But how do you go about removing an artex ceiling, and what sort of tools will you need to remove the artex?
Artex and asbestos in ceilings
Before you get the chisel out and start hacking away at your Artex as a way of removing an artex ceiling, it’s essential to think first about the potential risk of asbestos.
Older types of Artex contained asbestos, which is dangerous when disturbed.
You cannot tell whether your ceiling contains asbestos just by looking at it, and the only way to tell is to have samples tested.
Expect to pay around £50 for a kit and the testing, and look at other asbestos removal costs.
If the sample tests positive for asbestos, removal can be an expensive business which can often only be done by a qualified licensed asbestos removal professional.
In these cases, the best alternative options are to either board over the top of the Artex and then plaster.
Alternatively, get a plasterer to skim a new smooth ceiling over the top of the existing one.
Remember – asbestos in Artex only poses a risk when you start to try to break the ceiling or remove it.
Removing an artex ceiling by steaming with a stripper
If your textured ceiling doesn’t contain asbestos, then you can go ahead and remove it in whichever way you like.
Steaming is a popular option, and works in the same way as removing wallpaper.
The video above on wallpaper removal via steamer should help you to gain an understanding of what is involved in artex removal from ceilings (ensure that there is no asbestos of course).
This is a cheap way of getting the coating off.
This option works best if you hire a powerful wallpaper steamer from a tool hire company.
It is messy and hot work though, and can be time consuming.
Because of this you may want to take up the services of a local decorator.
You also have to take care that you are not damaging the ceiling with large quantities of damp steam.
Removing An Artex Ceiling Using Chemicals
Another good option is to use a clever product called X-Tex which you simply brush over the area of Artex you wish to use.
Leave the product on the area that you want to remove the artex on for between 30 minutes and an hour and then scrape the Artex off.
X-Tex works by softening the textured covering to make it easier to remove.
Test the product on a small area first.
You’ll need to cover your carpet and furniture with plastic sheeting to protect them from falling plaster.
Re-plastering ceilings after removal of artex
Even if you have established that your Artex doesn’t contain asbestos, the mess and hassle of steaming it off or applying strippers to scrape it off don’t appeal to everyone.
Sometimes the easiest method is to find a local plasterer to come in and plaster over the top of the existing coating.
You can expect to pay around £250 to plaster the ceiling in a standard living room.
Again, check the costs for plastering, and consider that these are just average figures.
Always agree a price up front and get several quotes to ensure the prices you are being quoted are realistic.
