Artex ceilings and flat renovation

AliceBanned

Hi
I recently bought a small two-bed flat (built 1993) which has Artex ceilings throughout. I want to remove these and also replace most of the lighting. As part of the process I am going to get an Asbestos survey, just in case. The communal areas of the block also have artex and the survey there came back negative. 
I have received an 'estimate' for the survey of £200 plus VAT - does this sound about right? Any advice please on how to get quotes on such a thing to make sure the firm is reputable? The company that has responded mentioned ongoing work which seems unlikely - I just need to check to ensure there is no asbestos and then find out the best way to remove the Artex (any advice there very welcome too because I am struggling to get any plasterers to quote!). Thanks

FreeBear

I have used X-Tex to remove artex. It softens te stuff up enough that it scrapes off with a stripping knife. Messy work, so wear disposable overalls (CSI type full body), goggles, and rubber gloves. When doing a ceiling, a scaffold tower is invaluable if you are vertically challenged.

AliceBanned

Great, thanks FreeBear. It looks like I may be doing it myself to save money and to get it done sooner. Did you have an Asbestos survey? I know that not all Artex has it and that there are different risks with different types of asbestos.

greyteam1959

You are probably more at risk from falling off your ladder than from the very very minute amount of asbestos in the artex.

YellowCarBlueCar

If you are really concerned about the asbestos risk, then you can get a kit from Amazon for between £30 and £80 depending on the number of samples you want to submit, and whether you want the full PPE to collect the samples.

If you're not going to DIY the job, then you may find that your decorator will want to do their own survey rather than trust yours.  I had a builder do a couple of tests for £50+ VAT each, so £200 sounds expensive to me...

AliceBanned

Ok thanks. My electrician has recommended a plasterer so when I speak to them both about the job I’ll see what they want to do about the test. If they are happy I can get the kit as the communal areas have same artex and they were not found to have asbestos when tested. So the likelihood of it being present is low though I’ll get the PPE etc. 

JGB1955

I may be wrong, but understood that there has been no asbestos in Artex after the mid 1980s..  Our house was built in 1985, so we're on the 'cusp' but have had no problem having our ceilings skimmed.

twopenny

AliceBanned said:

Ok thanks. My electrician has recommended a plasterer so when I speak to them both about the job I’ll see what they want to do about the test. If they are happy I can get the kit as the communal areas have same artex and they were not found to have asbestos when tested. So the likelihood of it being present is low though I’ll get the PPE etc. 

That sounds very reasonable, what I'd have done when younger

Just take the obvious precautuions.  A mask would be sensible and there are plenty around at the moment. Use safety glasses or goggles. Swim goggle are comfortable and good protection.

It's not just the asbestos but the amount of stuff, dust, bits. Oh and a hair covering to protect you locks

floppydisk1

Communal areas have no asbestos present, you have 99.999999999 % the same stuff on your ceilings as builders normally use the same stuff  everywhere ( unless they run out of materials and one or 2 rooms look different from the rest.) Even if there is asbestos present in ceiling, not disturbing it is more than enough. Scraping off art ceiling and making good after is so messy and will leave you with such result that if you at all can afford it - you will be much better off getting  a plasterer in to skim over it ( quicker, A LOT cleaner and much better finish too ). They are happy to skim over art with asbestos, let alone without, providing art is solid and not flaking off. If you want to do it yourself- get a decent mask and plastic cover all suit and it is seriously messy job - also empty the room and cover everything.

AliceBanned

Thanks everyone. In the end I got a professional tester to come tomorrow to test in a few of the rooms. I have quotes from two plasterers now and they have both warned me about the mess. I think I am going to get the living room and main bedroom skimmed by the plasterers and then come back to the rest of the flat, lighting then plastering again, rather than do it all at once due to both cost and inconvenience. At least that way I can move a lot of my stuff into the spare room which won't be touched by the plasterers until the second time around. It feels too daunting getting it all done at once. I will also be able to paint those two rooms and then see the final result before deciding on lighting for the rest of the flat. 

AliceBanned

JGB1955 said:

I may be wrong, but understood that there has been no asbestos in Artex after the mid 1980s..  Our house was built in 1985, so we're on the 'cusp' but have had no problem having our ceilings skimmed.

Thanks JGB1955, so do you mean you got Artex skimmed over. If so, was it a good result? Thanks