Why Artex ceilings can contain asbestos
"Artex" is a brand name that became the everyday word for any textured coating on ceilings and walls: stipple, swirl, comb and pattern finishes. Some of these coatings had white asbestos (chrysotile) added to strengthen them. Manufacturers phased it out during the 1980s, but asbestos-containing coatings could still be applied until white asbestos was banned in 1999. The asbestos content in textured coatings is usually low, often quoted as a few per cent, and the fibres are bound into the coating.
Is an Artex ceiling dangerous?
Not while it is intact and left alone. HSE classes work on textured coatings as lower risk and says it can be done by trained non-licensed workers. The risk comes from activities that break the coating up and release dust:
- sanding or scraping it off;
- drilling holes for lights, fans or fixings;
- cutting it when removing ceilings or fitting downlights;
- a ceiling coming down after a leak.
Artex asbestos test: how to find out
- Check when it went on. If the property was built or redecorated after 2000, the coating is very unlikely to contain asbestos.
- If it is older or you don't know, get a sample tested by a UKAS-accredited laboratory. A home test kit works for a single coating; if you are refurbishing several rooms, an asbestos survey covers everything at once.
- Test each area that was done at a different time. Different rooms may have been coated years apart.
Your options: leave it, plaster over it or remove it
| Option | When it suits | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Leave it | Coating is in good condition and you're happy with it | Paint over it if you like. Don't sand it first. |
| Cover it | You want a smooth ceiling | Plasterers often overboard (fix new plasterboard over) or skim over sound coatings. Screw fixings through the coating should be done using HSE's controls for drilling and screwing through textured coatings. |
| Remove it | Coating is damaged, or the ceiling is coming down anyway | Use a trained asbestos contractor. Small areas can be done as non-licensed work; large-scale steaming or gel removal must be notified. Never sand or dry-scrape it. |
How Artex removal is done
If the test shows no asbestos, Artex removal is a messy but ordinary decorating job: the coating is softened with a steamer or a removal gel and scraped off wet. If it does contain asbestos, the same wet methods are used, but by a contractor trained in asbestos work, with the room sealed, controlled waste bags and the right masks and overalls. Dry scraping, sanding and power tools are never used on an asbestos coating. Many people find plastering over Artex (skimming or overboarding) quicker and cheaper than removal, because it avoids the dust and waste altogether.
If you think you have disturbed asbestos: stop work, keep everyone out of the area, don't sweep or vacuum the debris with a household vacuum, and get advice from a licensed asbestos contractor or surveyor. HSE says you must stop work and follow its guidance if you think you have found asbestos.
Artex and textured coating checklist
ASB-ARTEX · Rev A| Check | Yes / No / N/A | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Date the coating was applied (or property age) recorded | ||
| Sample tested by a UKAS-accredited lab (lab name, result) | ||
| Each room or coating of a different age tested separately | ||
| Coating in good condition with no cracking, flaking or water damage | ||
| Planned work avoids sanding, dry scraping and power tools | ||
| Contractor told about the result before work starts | ||
| Fixings through the coating follow HSE task sheets A26/A27 | ||
| Waste from removal disposed of as hazardous waste |
Planning building work on a pre-2000 property? A survey finds asbestos before your builder does. Get a free, no-obligation asbestos survey quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does all Artex contain asbestos?
No. Many textured coatings never contained asbestos, and coatings applied after 2000 shouldn't. Older coatings may contain a small amount of white asbestos, so test before you disturb them.
Can I plaster over Artex that contains asbestos?
Skimming or overboarding a coating in good condition is a common way to leave it in place without disturbing it. Don't sand or scrape it first, and make sure your plasterer knows the test result.
Can I drill into an Artex ceiling?
If it hasn't been tested, assume it may contain asbestos. HSE's asbestos essentials task sheets cover drilling and fixing through textured coatings with controls such as wetting the surface, using a shadow vacuum and wearing the right mask.
How much asbestos is in Artex?
Where textured coatings contained asbestos it was usually white asbestos at a low percentage, often quoted as a few per cent. The amount doesn't change the advice: test first and don't create dust.
Sources
This guide is written from the legislation and HSE guidance below. Last checked 23 October 2026.