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Whichever method you choose to remove or cover your artex is totally up to you, but as we have mentioned, if you are in any doubt whether it contains asbestos, get it tested so that you know for sure. You can’t strip artex containing asbestos off using a steamer! Removing Artex Using a Steamer Once full of water, plug it in and switch it on. It will take around 5 minutes to get up to temperature. You will know when steam starts to come out of the steam plate (the bit you hold on the wall). Stripping artex with a steamer cannot be done at speed, you will need to work slowly and methodically as if the steam plate is left in one area too long, there is a possibility of damaging the ceiling or wall behind it as the steam will penetrate through and soften this also, which you certainly don’t want. Style is subjective and if you don't like the current skirting boards you can take a look at skirting board ideas to fit in with the aesthetic you are trying to create. This might include more ornate skirting with an intricate style, or perhaps something a little more contemporary.
As with the other solutions, plastering can also be a very messy job, especially if you are doing it yourself so remove any objects form the room and for anything left, cover with plastic dust sheets. When you've traced all the known cables, scan your detection tool horizontally along all the walls, just to make sure you've not missed any. Use a Specialist Company: If you are in any way worried about working around it, then it’s best to get the pros in to remove it safely and correctly for you, however this service will likely cost You can use a mallet/hammer and a bolster. However, this will take twice as long compared to using an SDS drill with a wide chisel bit. Regular DIY Doctor reader, Steve, made a great point. Having been a fully qualified asbestos surveyor and been responsible for the asbestos management at one of the largest housing associations in the UK we feel he was offering excellent advice with real hands on experience.As with using a steamer, stripping artex using X-Tex or another product is a messy job so remove anything in the room that’s not bolted down and anything else, including carpets and floors need to be covered with plastic dust sheets. Select a sturdy utility knife. The blade should be sharp and long enough to score through the depth of the plaster. A dull blade won’t be as effective and can actually make the task more difficult. You can typically find suitable utility knives at your local hardware store. Scoring the Wall There are test kits available which come with all the necessary protective clothing and gear that allow you to take samples yourself and then send them to a lab for testing. When the results are confirmed they let you know the result. You can buy one of these test kits here. Sweep Up Smaller Pieces: After you’ve removed the larger pieces, sweep up the smaller pieces of debris. A stiff-bristle broom is particularly effective for this. Be careful to collect any nails or other sharp objects. As we’re working on the ceiling, a ladder is needed to access the artex comfortably and safely. It’s up to you where you start to but generally it’s best to start in a corner and work your way across the room.
Note: If you are stripping artex with asbestos in, just to be 100% safe, always wear a suitable mask, FFP3 or above and clean up after every patch has been stripped, just to keep everything as tidy as possible. Put everything in a plastic bin liner. This can be left to dry, which will only take about an hour or so depending on the ambient temperature. Re-Score the Plaster: If the plaster isn’t breaking along the scored lines as expected, you may need to score the plaster again. Deepen the existing scores or make new ones, forming smaller squares. This might help control the breakage and make the removal easier. Using a Wallpaper Steamer: This is a fairly cheap and effective way of removing artex from a ceiling, but it’s extremely messy and if you leave the steamer in one place for too long it can damage the surface beneath the artex. Do not use if asbestos is present Once all boards are fixed to the surface there’s a few different ways they can be finished. The standard way is to plaster over them, which can be done using the steps above, however there is another way.
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Use a half-inch, wet (water), soft paint brush to define corners and the abutment of the plastered surface to any other.
Remove Using Eco Solution X-Tex: X-Tex is one of the only products available that can be used to remove atrex with asbestos in it. As it’s gel-based, all the fibres are held within the gel, preventing them from getting into the air Hold the chisel at a slight angle to the wall, placing its edge on one of the scored lines. With your other hand, tap the end of the chisel lightly with the hammer. The goal is to use enough force to break the plaster along the scored lines, but not so much that you damage the underlying lath too severely or risk punching through the wall into wiring or plumbing. Breaking Up the Plaster Use Different Tools: If increasing the force isn’t working or isn’t an option, you could try using different tools. A pry bar might be useful to get underneath the plaster and apply pressure in a different way.X-Tex is great for removing textured coatings, like Artex and Polytex, which were popular a few years ago. It is a safe products as it doesn’t create dust from asbestos which can be harmful. It is made by Eco Solutions using an advanced “science not solvents” approach as it is a water based product. Plaster Boarding Again a very effective way of resolving an artex problem, especially if it contains asbestos. Like the plastering route, it simply involves boarding over the artex using plasterboard. If you do it yourself and don’t plaster it, it can be fairly cheap, however if you use tradesmen and have it plastered, again it can be rather expensive Next, remove all obviously "high spots" of artex, where the stipples hang down. You can do this using a hand scraper or wall scraper as this will further aid in the final finish and also the ease in which it can be plastered over. If there are, gently remove them and place if a plastic bin bag. However, if your surface has asbestos in it, don’t touch it! You will need to get the professionals in to remove it correctly and prevent any fibres from being released into the air. Also, leaving the plate in one place too long and overheating the artex can cause it to liquefy and run everywhere, creating even more of a mess.
You'll realise that it won't take much for this thin plastic material sheeting to tear, and after a few bits of falling plaster it will end up practically useless. You'll need to lay something extra on top. Before using a wallpaper steamer it needs to be prepared and this means filling it with clean water up to the max fill line on the tank and then screwing the lid on fully. Next, cover any and all flooring with plastic dust sheets as again, plaster can soak in and once dry is a nightmare to get out. Despite your best efforts, you may encounter areas of the wall where the plaster proves stubborn and does not come off as easily as anticipated. These can be challenging, but here are some strategies to deal with them: Once mixed you can start laying it on the wall. This is done using a hand held board called a hawk and plasterers trowel. No more than two trowel fulls should be placed on the hawk at any one time.Pry off the Sections: Insert a pry bar into the cuts you’ve made and carefully pry the sections away from the wall studs. Again, be mindful of what’s behind the wall. If you’re not sure about something or if it’s a larger project, it might be best to hire a professional. They can safely remove the plaster and handle any unexpected issues that might arise. Related Plastering Articles The process of breaking up the plaster is a gradual one and patience is key to ensure the work is done effectively and safely. Remember that the lath was nailed to the wall studs, so as you’re removing it, you’re likely to encounter nails. Some of these may be rusty or have sharp, jagged edges. Be mindful of your hands and fingers as you’re prying the lath loose, and use a sturdy pair of gloves to protect your hands. Watch Out for Sharp Wood Replacing plaster is a big undertaking - I've produce a whole course on the topic covering 6 extensive blogs posts. With this in mind, I want to challenge you to think if it's worth it, and whether the benefit outweighs the time, effort & cost.
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