Destroying artex..

gitbags

gitbags

gitbags

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Can anyone suggest a quick method for removing artex from a ceiling? My bathroom ceiling is an absolute mess due to damp, which has turned about a third of the bloody stuff to chalk. Unfortunately the rest is like concrete and I'm struggling to scrape it off. I'm aware I can sand it but the differences in thickness across the ceiling means it'll take me longer than is ideal (plus I'd have to source a sander).

Can I soften it with anything? Any suggestions will be welcome.
 
If damps already turned a third of it to garbage then tbh, ide have at it with a wallpaper steamer & a good sized scraper.
 
Watch it if it old artex up to 1984-85 about, as it contained asbestos, recommend you wear a dust mask.
Wallpaper steamer & a scraper is one way, but it's hard work, better to remove high spots & overboard it, or the best way completely remove ceiling & reboard it, using screws to fix,then skim with plaster.

If you scrape off all the artex, you will still need to fill any gouges you made with filler, & then sanded smooth.
You will probably need to seal plaster board be before painting after removing old artex.
 
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I would recommend getting it plastered over
If it is a small room then it wont cost a lot

I will be a hell of a lot of work and mess getting it off then then smooth enough to paint over
 
MonsterMoshi said:
I would recommend getting it plastered over
If it is a small room then it wont cost a lot

I will be a hell of a lot of work and mess getting it off then then smooth enough to paint over
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It's got damp, probably loose in places, you would need to remove high spots, sealing, etc before plastering, I wouldn't even consider skimming it.

OP doesn't give bathroom size, so it's hard to work out cost of job.

My last place had artex in kitchen, it was easier to reboard & skim, than preping old ceiling for skimming.
 
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Cheers for the replies. Managed to get hold of a steamer and that's removing the worst parts, I'll get there eventually :D

Not too fussed about getting a smooth finish as I'll probably just buy some textured bathroom ceiling paint (Rented property). As for overboarding I think I'd be better off pulling the ceiling down and starting afresh, seeing it as it looks like someone has tried to repair the ceiling before (right where the flat above's shower and sink are). But the landlord will only allow that as a last resort. :rolleyes:
 
It'll contain asbestos be careful, it's very low risk but risky enough to take precautions, read up on HSE website.

Yes you're right easier to pull it down and re board, sounds excessive but in a morning you could have it skimmed ready to paint.
 
maccapacca said:
It'll contain asbestos be careful, it's very low risk but risky enough to take precautions, read up on HSE website.

Yes you're right easier to pull it down and re board, sounds excessive but in a morning you could have it skimmed ready to paint.
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As above low risk material, but only if its removed whole. Under no circumstances sand it. The dust will get everywhere and no amount of conventional cleaning will remove the risk of asbestos exposure.
 
Ok cheers for the heads up, I'll take precautions. Although a lot of it has turned to dust under the paint, so i've probably been breathing it in for the past twelve months if not longer :eek:
 
gitbags said:
Ok cheers for the heads up, I'll take precautions. Although a lot of it has turned to dust under the paint, so i've probably been breathing it in for the past twelve months if not longer :eek:
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I'd be calling an asbestos removal company if I were you. If not to remove it to at least get it sampled to determine whether it contains asbestos or not.
 
Utter nightmare to scrape off, easier to pull it all down! you could just start a whole new layer with plasterboard over the top, fix the damp first though obviously!
 
Well the worst is done, I'm going to give the plasterboard a week or two to dry out a bit. Up to the landlord to make up his mind what he wants to do next.

Cheers
 
maccapacca said:
You can remove it quite safely by dampening down and using the proper suit and masks and bagging.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a29.pdf
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If it's already turning to dust like the OP has already mentioned your into a whole different category of removal. The HSE page you link to is for non-licensed removal and crumbling artex would not fall under that category. It also mentions using a Class H vacuum which is a specialist bit of kit.

Getting it sampled shouldn't cost much and best case it may come back clear.
 
Isn't it 'white asbestos' that's in artex that is basically impossible to get anything bad from even if you've worked with it for years?

http://www.asbestoswatchdog.co.uk/news/most-recent

I researched it when I removed a load of artex for skimming in my 70's house - looks to me it's all a big scam. I used a massive scraper on like a broom handle and then got the high points off before the plasterer went over it.
 
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Em3bbs said:
Isn't it 'white asbestos' that's in artex that is basically impossible to get anything bad from even if you've worked with it for years?
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/SLAP

/SLAP

/SLAP

White asbestos is NOT safer, this is a very common misconception that came about due to our country taking longer to ban it than blue/brown. Its like saying you'll be fine smoking cigars as long as you don't smoke cigarettes.
 
On the subject of artex... the walls in the hall, stairs and landing have textured artex on them - I have no idea why anyone would think it was a good idea - is it fairly simple to have it skimmed, or would there be any prep work I'd need to do first?
 
Scrape off the high spots key and skim over, check your levels in regard to architraves and skirtings, you might find the artex sticks out further than the architrave or now clash so when you run a straight edge over a skim it'll look terrible.
 
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