Artex (Asbestos Textured Coating) is a trade name for a type of textured coating commonly found on walls and ceilings in homes and businesses throughout the UK. It was applied throughout the 70’s and 80’s, and a similar form of textured coating is still used today.
However, if the coating is white throughout, then we recommend that you contact us to arrange for asbestos sampling to be undertaken prior to disturbing the material, as this generally indicates a true ‘Artex’-type coating. Artex and other similar textured coatings may contain chrysotile asbestos fibres (white asbestos) that can contaminate the air if the material is drilled or disturbed.
The problem with asbestos containing Artex arises when you intend to drill, sand or disturb the material in some other way. Appropriate precautions must be taken, such as wearing the appropriate RPE (face mask) and PPE (disposable overalls) and further control measures to prevent contamination to other areas of the property.