Artex was and still is an easier way to cover your ceilings and walls that are not smooth enough for painting.
Artex is very easy to apply with a brush or a tool designed to make patterns.
Removing Artex is a time-consuming task that will need elbow grease and the right tools.
Tips and Tricks for Artex Removing
There are various ways to successfully remove Artex from your walls and ceilings:
- Scrapper/blunt chisel and hammer
- Scrapper and chemical solution
Use The Right Scraper
To remove the Artex from the wall or ceiling you must use the right scraper.
Heavy-duty scrapers with changeable blades are the best at removing Artex, they are 4″/6″ wide and are capable to get behind the Artex and remove it in sheets.
You can also use a hammer and a blunt chisel to remove any stubborn Artex.
Top Tip: Always use goggles, mask and disposable overalls because some older Artex will contain aspestos.
Wet Your Artex before removing
We always advise our readers to use water when removing Artex.
This is because dry Artex will travel around the home and cause a lot of dust that might contain asbestos. So be sure to wet the wall and have disposable sheeting ready to bag up the old Artex.
Once you have removed all the Artex from the wall or ceilings you must dispose of the Artex with your local council.
Top Tip: If you know the Artex on your walls and ceilings was applied before the year 2000 then be sure to get an asbestos surveyor to check for asbestos.
Take Precautions When Removing Artex
Precautions must be taken when removing Artex because it might contain asbestos. Be sure to tape any doors and use plastic sheeting so you do not have fibres floating throughout the house.
Never leave the room until you are finished and everything is bagged up and sealed in plastic heavy-duty bags. Do not use a hoover because asbestos fibres are tiny and you will be just blowing it around the home.
- Tape doors to keep an airtight seal
- Do not leave the room in your overalls
- Only leave the room once all Artex has been bagged and sealed
- Clean all tools before putting them away
- Clean and mop the floor (DO NOT HOOVER UP ARTEX!)
Use Chemical Solution and Scraper
This method is the most successful when it comes to removing Artex.
A company called X-Tex have created a chemical solution you paint over the Artex and makes it easier to remove.
By soaking into the Artex you will get less dust and fibres floating around the room.
The working wet system also:
- Softens Artex ready for removal
- Stops dust and fibres from floating
- Easy to clean up due to the wet system
This wet working system is key to a quicker and safer Artex removal.
Various other brands are offering this wet working solution but X-Tex is rated the best and used by professional asbestos removal services all over the UK.
If your Artex has been painted then they do recommend you score the surface before applying their solution.
Scoring will allow the chemicals to soak deep into the Artex, if you apply over paint then you will not get into the fibres inside the Artex wall or ceiling.
Disposing Of Artex
When it comes to disposal of your Artex you must use an official disposal centre.
Your council will take the bags for free but not all councils up and down the UK accept Artex. Make sure you check before you turn up with sealed bags of Artex.
Once you have removed your Artex fill sandbags or builders bags because they are strong and can be taped at the top to make an airtight seal.
This is a must if you are going to be loading your van or car to carry your old Artex to your local disposal centre.
Plaster Over Your Artex Walls And Ceilings
If you are going to be plastering the wall or ceiling when the Artex has been removed, then why not plaster over your Artex walls and ceilings?
All you need to do is remove the stipple, apply a PVA mix to seal the Artex and you just use multi-finish to cover.
This will avoid you ripping all the Artex away and being exposed to potentially harmful asbestos fibres.
Conclusion
Most Artex walls and ceilings before 2000 will have a percentage of asbestos fibres. The earlier the Artex the more asbestos fibres will be present.
If your house is old with Artex walls or ceiling I would highly recommend you hire an asbestos surveyor who will test the walls and ceilings for high levels of asbestos.