Getting rid of stipple effect on wall

robatwork

Hi all,

I have a few walls that have a very 70s stipple effect. The ceilings are normal artex and I am not touching them apart from a coat of paint but I would like to smooth the walls. I have no idea if they are stippled with artex (which obviously could be hazardous if I scrape it) or with plaster or something else.

My options are to strip them with a wallpaper steamer which I know will be difficult and messy, or attack them with a decorator's knife and sander, or of course get them skimmed (ideal, but not MSE).

I will try to post some pics later but any opinions on if they are likely to be artex or plaster would be helpful - thanks

Rob

robatwork

Here is a pic of the wall:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7197193@N05/7867088794/in/photostream/

ed110220

What exactly is the stipple made of? If it's wood chip wallpaper you can steam/scrape it off with some effort. If it's part of the paster you'd probably have to have it skimmed over.

muckybutt

Looks like stipple paint used a lot in places like toilets to stop graffitti.

You are right to be concerned about it being artex given it could contain ACM.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

looks like a woodchip that has been emulsioned or painted, score it with a sharp knife, soak with soapy water and scrape,,,,,,,,scrape,,,,,,scrape.

T_T_2

muckybutt wrote: »

You are right to be concerned about it being artex given it could contain ACM.

Certainly right to be concerned. But how concerned depends on the age of the property. The OP suggested a 70's stipple effect but it would be interesting to know the actual era of the artex. If it is 70's then there is likely a small amount of chrysotile asbestos in there and this falls into the low risk category. Anything post 1984 is very unlikely to contain asbestos...but you can never be sure without getting a sample analysed.

If you are in doubt or don't want to spend the money on testing then removing it isn't going to be an option, it is going to need to be skimmed.

SailorSam

If you've got a steamer i'd go with that. Once it starts to lift it should come off easier than just with a scraper.