How to Remove Artex from Ceilings

Artex was a popular alternative to plaster and was widely used in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but its textured finish is not to everyone’s taste. If you want to remove Artex from ceilings or walls, our guide is here to help ensure safe and effective removal. Read on to learn more about the safety concerns of removing Artex, discover the best removal methods and get expert tips from trade professionals.

What is Artex?

Artex is an interior surface coating commonly found on ceilings or walls in commercial and residential properties. It’s different from plaster, as it creates a textured finish rather than a smooth one. You can identify Artex by the way it’s applied – usually in a stippled or swirled pattern.

Safety concerns when removing Artex

Several safety considerations apply when working with Artex, which was made with white asbestos until 1984. We surveyed 77 professionals from the property and construction industry to find out their top concerns. 52.34% said dust containing asbestos is the biggest risk, while 47.66% said non-asbestos Artex dust is the most important safety concern.

So, before you attempt any removal, you’ll need to establish what type of Artex you have. Trained professionals can identify asbestos Artex, which should only be removed by them, as it’s considered hazardous waste. If your Artex ceilings don’t contain asbestos, you can remove them yourself.

Is it worth removing Artex myself?

One of the most frequently asked decorating questions is ‘can I remove Artex myself?’. Yes, as long as it doesn’t contain asbestos and you take the necessary precautions, including using the correct tools and equipment and wearing the appropriate PPE.

Different methods for removing Artex

So, what is the easiest and most effective way to remove Artex? 38.96% of survey respondents said with a scraping tool, 37.66% preferred a steamer, and 25.97% suggested using a chemical gel. Learn more about each method below to remove non-asbestos Artex.

Steaming

Steaming is an efficient way to remove Artex, as it softens the material enough for you to peel or scrape it off. But can you remove Artex with a wallpaper steamer? Yes – the process is like removing wallpaper.

Chemical removal

If you’re wondering how to remove thick Artex or need a quick fix, chemical stripping is the answer. Apply it to the surface, leave it until the Artex softens, then scrape it away. We recommend using specialist Artex removal products which contain non-toxic chemicals. Although these products work in a similar way to paint strippers, a standard paint stripper is less effective on Artex.

Using a scraping tool

Scraping tools are useful when removing Artex, whether steaming or applying chemical solutions. However, they should only be used when the Artex is wet, as scraping the dry surface will create hazardous dust. Then use a steam stripper to soften it up. The easiest way is using mechanical sanders with extraction units.

How to safely remove asbestos Artex

We consulted one of our Academy experts, Mark Rigby to find out how to safely remove asbestos Artex.

“The best way to stay safe when removing asbestos Artex is to wear PPE. This protective equipment is non-negotiable when working with asbestos Artex, specialists should be the only ones to remove Artex that contains asbestos. but you should also wear it when removing non-asbestos Artex due to the dust produced in the process.”

Dulux Decorator Centre stocks a range of professional-grade RPE and protective equipment, including masks and respirators, gloves, goggles, and overalls.

Some additional considerations when removing asbestos Artex include:

• Only fully licensed HSE contractors can remove asbestos Artex.

• Sampling and analysis must be carried out beforehand to confirm the presence of asbestos.

• The substrate underneath the asbestos must also be identified to determine the best removal method.

• Always work in an enclosed area to prevent dust from settling elsewhere.

• Asbestos Artex is considered hazardous waste and should be disposed of at an appropriate facility.

Alternatives to removing Artex  

Looking for alternatives to Artex removal? Mark Rigby shares their suggestions:

“If you’d prefer not to remove Artex, as it can be a messy job, you can plaster over it to create a smooth finish. Another option is to fit a false ceiling over the Artex using drylining. These solutions are only suitable for non-asbestos Artex ceilings, as sanding and drilling may be required.”

For more decorating advice and step-by-step guides, check out these related articles on our blog:

• How to repair walls

• How to strip paint