Step-by-Step Instructions
- Put on your safety goggles, dust mask and gloves
- Warm up the steamer and gently press its plate on the artex while testing its softness every few seconds (see step 3 below)
- Test frequently with a utility knife or a stripping/joint knife to monitor how soft the artex is becoming
Can You cover Artex ceiling with plasterboard?
Another option, and often preferred by the Pros, is to cover the artex with plasterboard. However, covering a ceiling with plasterboard is no simple task, as it involves; heavy lifting, plenty of time, mess and some skill. Don’t have to deal with asbestos.
What to do if you have a cracked asbestos artexed ceiling?
Such coatings can release asbestos fibres into the air, where they can be inhaled by humans, and cause a variety of serious health problems. If you have a cracked asbestos Artexed ceiling, it is essential that you have the issue resolved as soon as possible. You can choose to have the ceiling repaired or completely removed.
How do you remove an Artex ceiling?
If it’s time to bid farewell to your artex ceiling, there are five ways you can remove it: ‘ Scrape and Sand ’, ‘ Cover with Plasterboard ’, ‘ Wet Plaster Over ’, ‘ Steam, Scrape and Sand ’ or use ‘ Eco Solutions X–Tex ’. The best option for you depends on many things, including the age and condition of your ceiling.
What happens if you have a cracked artexed ceiling?
If you have a cracked Artexed ceiling, the asbestos fibres in it can be released when the coating starts crumbling. According to the law, you do not have to remove asbestos from your building – home or commercial premises.
How do you fill Artex ceiling cracks?
0:293:49Make sure the surface is dry and free from flaking material oil and grease when working with glossMoreMake sure the surface is dry and free from flaking material oil and grease when working with gloss surfaces. Give them a light sand first sponge. Off all the dust.
How do you fix a hairline crack in a textured ceiling?
How to Fix a Hairline Crack in a Textured Sheetrock CeilingLook for Water Damage. ... Use a Drywall Knife. ... Apply Drywall Primer. ... Place Drywall Tape Over the Crack. ... Coat the Tape With Drywall Joint Compound. ... Apply a Second Coat of the Joint Compound. ... Apply the Texture. ... Finish With a Few Touch Ups.
How do I cover my Artex ceiling?
Using the spatula, load the smoother with Artex Easifix Smooth-It. Apply an even coat with firm, sweeping strokes. When the whole surface is covered, allow to dry until firm to the touch. Repeat the process as many times as required to reach the desired smoothness.
How can I hide my ceiling cracks?
Rather than applying standard paper or mesh drywall tape to the crack, brush on a thin coat of Elastopatch with a small brush—directly over a crack that's been filled with compound or spackling and then sanded smooth. One or two coats of Elastopatch is all it takes to form a flexible seal over the repaired crack.
What is the best filler for ceiling cracks?
Toupret Fibacryl is a specialist flexible filler, which is suitable for filling and repairing movement cracks, problem cracks, and moving cracks on internal and external projects.
Should I be worried about cracks in my ceiling?
Ceiling cracks along with sagging indicate a possible structural problem that needs immediate attention. One, big, continuous ceiling crack that goes across the ceiling and down a wall is almost certainly a structural issue. Contact a foundation professional right away for an inspection.
How can I cover my Artex ceiling without plastering?
If it's time to bid farewell to your artex ceiling, there are five ways you can remove it: 'Scrape and Sand', 'Cover with Plasterboard', 'Wet Plaster Over', 'Steam, Scrape and Sand' or use 'Eco Solutions X–Tex'. The best option for you depends on many things, including the age and condition of your ceiling.
Can you cover over Artex?
Taking down an artex ceiling that contains asbestos isn't compulsory if you can work out a way to cover it without damaging it. But most ways of doing this, like laying plaster over your artex ceiling, involving sanding or weakening it in some way.
Can you skim over an Artex ceiling?
Skimming Over Artex. If you have patterned Artex, it's possible to coat it with PVA to achieve a flat surface, and then skim it.
What is the cheapest way to cover a ceiling?
If you're looking for an affordable option that's low maintenance and easy to install, consider a glue-on or staple-on ceiling. They're available in basic textures and elaborate designs and attach directly to the existing ceiling or onto furring strips attached to the ceiling.
Can you paint over hairline cracks?
For deeper hairline cracks, you may want to use a filler to fill up the cracks before applying a new layer of paint in the affected area. However, if an extensive area has been affected, you will need to scrape off the paint and then sand the entire area to even out the edges before applying a fresh coat of paint.
What Is An Artexed Ceiling?
An Artexed ceiling is simply a ceiling that is coated with Artex. Widely used in the UK during the sixties, seventies and eighties, Artex – a brand name – is a surface coating that was designed to allow plasterers to apply textures and patterns on to surfaces, such as walls and ceilings, for interior decoration purposes.
When Does Artex Become Risky?
Artex containing asbestos only becomes risky when in powder form; in this state the asbestos fibres in it can be disturbed. If you have a cracked Artexed ceiling, the asbestos fibres in it can be released when the coating starts crumbling.
What The Law Says
According to the law, you do not have to remove asbestos from your building – home or commercial premises. If you choose to leave it in place, the asbestos has to be properly managed to ensure that it does not pose any risks.
Should You Remove Or Repair Your Cracked Artexed Ceiling?
To help you decide whether you will be better served by removing or repairing the cracked ceiling, it is recommended that you seek the professional advice of an asbestos specialist. Such a specialist will be able to determine whether the asbestos fibres in your Artexed ceiling have been disturbed by the existing damage or not.
Conclusion
Asbestos can cause fatal health problems. if you have a cracked asbestos Artexed ceiling, it is best that you consult a qualified expert before taking any other action.
What is artex ceiling?
Artex is a water-based covering that is used to decorate ceilings with a textured finish. It had its heydays in the 1970s when the spiky or swirling effects it produces were considered high fashion. However, in today’s IKEA generation, an artex ceiling looks very dated and is a pain to repair and clean. If it’s time to bid farewell ...
How to apply skim plaster to artex?
Apply skim plaster to the artex surface using a plasterer’s trowel and hawk. Place a maximum of two full trowels of mix onto the hawk. Cut into a small chunk of the mix with a trowel angled at 90° to the hawk. Tilt the hawk towards your body while at the same time scooping and pushing the trowel away.
How to smooth out imperfections in a sanding block?
Mix joint compound in a bucket as per the instructions on the package. Using a taping knife, skim the surface with a thin layer of joint compound to smooth out imperfections. Leave to dry overnight before moving on to step 6. Using a 220-grit sanding block, lightly sand the surface smooth.
How long does it take to paint X-TeX?
Paint X-TEX over the artex with a large emulsion brush. Wait for it to soften. For a single layer of textured coating, this should take between 15 and 30 minutes. For surfaces that have several coats of paint, you might have to wait up to one hour or so.
Is it safe to plaster artex ceilings?
If an artex ceiling containing asbestos is left untouched, or better yet, plastered over, it is not dangerous. HOWEVER, if sent airborne, asbestos is extremely toxic and can severely damage your health. Therefore, Do NOT scrape or sand down artex ceilings without taking the advice of a trained asbestos expert.
Does Artex ceiling contain asbestos?
The answer ultimately depends on the time and money you are willing to spend, your skill level and the current state of your ceiling. One critical factor in making this decision rests on whether your artex ceiling contains asbestos. If it does, you only have two options.
Can you use Artex ceiling before it is all clear?
WARNING: As mentioned above, do NOT use this method before your artex ceiling is given the all-clear by trained asbestos professionals. Failure to do so could severely damage your health.
Why are my plasterboards straight?
The reason the cracks are straight is because they have developed along the plasterboard joints.
Can you use screws to tighten joists?
If you push up on the ceiling and feel excessive movement, you may need to use a few screws into the ceiling joists to tighten the boards up. These will obviously also need filling over, before painting, making the job a little bigger and a bit more time consuming. None of this is difficult though.