Cracked broken artex containing Asbestos

poor_johno

So im in the midst of renovating our kitchen, the concrete ceiling is in a pretty bad state, not structurally but the artex covering it needs some attention. It is cracked and has even broken away in one corner.

Luckily before I started to do anything with it I discovered it could potentially contain asbestos. I had a small section tested and had a positive result back.

Now I don't know what my best option is, ideally we'd like to have it all skimmed over but seeing as the artex is pealing away in places I don't think this would be a great idea?

I really don't think we could afford to get it removed professionally. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Can you give me some suggestions? Thanks guys

casper_g

It would certainly seem a bad idea to skim directly over the artex if it is unsound and coming away from the substrate. It might still be viable to have new plasterboard fixed to cover it, then skim that.


The plasterboard would have to be screwed to the joists through the Artex so you'd have to be confident the joists could take the weight and sensible precautions would have to be taken to deal with any dust created, but it would surely be easier than trying to clear up the mess you'd make by removing the whole ceiling!

poor_johno

casper_g wrote: »

The plasterboard would have to be screwed to the joists through the Artex so you'd have to be confident the joists could take the weight and sensible precautions would have to be taken to deal with any dust created, but it would surely be easier than trying to clear up the mess you'd make by removing the whole ceiling!

Thanks, I had considered this option previously. Would the fact that the ceiling is concrete affect this? Could joists be affixed to the walls rather than drilling into artex?

Owain_Moneysaver

You don't need joists, just battens to attach the plasterboard to. They can be shot nailed into the concrete to avoid drilling.

phil24_7

Surely drilling through the artex will create more harmful dust particles than removing the artex? Is there any guidance on removing Asbestos based Artex?

Regards
Phil

casper_g

You might not need to drill through the artex - see Owain's comment re. shot-fired fixings for concrete - but even if you do simple precautions can be taken to minimise dust. See e.g. http://www.beware-asbestos.info/how-to-guides/drilling-and-boring-through-decorative-coatings-eg-artex.

Trying to take the artex down could cause far more mess than a few small drilled holes ever would.

phil24_7

Yes but far fewer small particles that can get into the lungs...surely?

casper_g

phil24_7 wrote: »

Yes but far fewer small particles that can get into the lungs...surely?

I haven't removed an artex ceiling myself, but surely it must make a hell of a mess, and however hard you try to keep the stuff damp while removing it there will be some left somewhere that dries out and gets into the air? Whereas the method on the HSE site avoids dust pretty much completely.

phil24_7

Fair enough!

brightontraveller

There are hundreds millions of homes with Asbestos in them , millions of product that contain it as well whilst there is a theoretical danger (increased / decreased with they type and other contributing factors) there are gels, foams, sealants, protective measures to cut down the risk of contamination but ultimately its down to your perception of the dangers and budget to deal with it I’d suspect your is white asbestos (chrysotile) the cancer risk with that is less than that of eating foods that contain benzo(a)pyrene! if you believe all the hype.

Damp it down coat with gel /foam , carefully remove follow guidelines on hse etc you’ll have about as much chance of getting cancer from it as eating smoked fish ?