NEVER EVER remove Artex, or disturb it in any way, until it has been professionally tested for asbestos
Until the late 1980s white asbestos was commonly added to Artex to strengthen it. Athough the hazards were widely and publicly broadcasted in the 90s, and Artex containing asbestos banned in the UK in 1999, old Artex was still being used and imported. There is no guarantee that Artex did not contain asbestos even in the new millenium. Don’t assume that any Artex in your property is safe, no matter when it was applied. If your Artex, or any construction/finish in your property, is found to contain asbestos you MUST have it removed by professionals – it is NOT a DIY job! Untested Artex can be painted or papered over but never disturb it by drilling holes, cutting, scraping etc.
Although safe when undisturbed, Artex or any similar product is a hazard to health in it’s powder form due to the inhalation of dust particles. To this end, even if proven there is no asbestos present, we recommend getting in professionals.
If determined to tackle the task yourself, always wear gloves and a mask as well as dust-proof clothing if possible, and make sure the surrounding area and furnishings are covered.
Removing Artex, woodchip, or any textured finish is unfortunately a very time consuming task. Use a proprietary removal solution (following the manufacturer’s instructions) or wallpaper steamer, scoring or perforating the surface first as much as possible with a sharp blade or appropriate tool. If not using a solution or steamer, soak the surface with warm water and leave for 10-20 minutes before scraping, re-soaking if necessary. Don’t add anything to the water as it may leave a residue which could cause problems when re-papering or painting.
If you find it too difficult to remove, we would suggest instead sanding off the rough texture as much as possible using a surform plane (sort of a cross between a rasp and a cheese grater) available from most DIY stores, Stanley or Amazon. You can then get the surface as smooth as possible, and use a 1000 grade lining paper before wallpapering or painting.
Another remedy is to coat the surface area with PVA adhesive, leaving it to dry completely before adding a new layer of plaster thick enough to cover any bumps.
Numerous members of our diy community have painstakingly removed woodchip wallpaper, but many more are wary of even attempting it due to the labour involved – if you have any tips or advice to give them, they’d be delighted! https://www.facebook.com/groups/diyonabudgetofficial
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