How To Repair Artex Ceiling?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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To plaster over an Artex ceiling it’s all about the preparation. For best results scrape off as much as the nipples and dimples as possible, then a good clean up is needed as these bits go everywhere and you don’t get PVA on them.

What can I cover my Artex ceiling with?

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 scrape Artex off a ceiling?

1 – How To Remove an Artex Ceiling

The most popular way to remove Artex is to

use a steamer to loosen it and then ease it off with a scraper

. This process is slow but effective, if you hold the steamer in the same place for too long, however, the Artex will liquefy and run everywhere making a mess.

Can you skim straight 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

. Stippled Artex can’t be treated effectively in this way.

Can you just plaster over Artex?


Plastering over artex is no different to normal plastering – but it is one of the hardest aspects of skimming

. First you need to decide if it will be easier to first apply a base coat. If the highest point of the artex is 5-10mm then it will be easier to apply a base coat of ‘Bonding Coat’ to the surface.

Can you plaster over a textured ceiling?

How to do it: Clean the existing textured ceiling. Apply a coat of PVA per traditional plastering techniques.

Apply a thin layer of a lightweight plaster composite to a smooth finish

.

Is Artex worth removing?

Artex is often considered outdated and removing it can be difficult and dangerous if you’ve never done it before and are not using a safe and non-toxic remover like X-Tex. You can plaster over the textured wall or ceiling covering however this is much like sticking a plaster over something that may rear its head again.

How do you remove Artex without plastering?

  1. Use a steamer.
  2. Move your steamer slowly but steadily along the area of Artex you want to remove.
  3. Do not leave the steamer in any one spot for too long. …
  4. Once the Artex is damp from the steam, remove it using a handheld scraper.

Can I sand Artex down?

Artex surfaces which were added prior to 2000 are likely to contain asbestos and

it is extremely unwise to sand or scrape without seeking the advice of an asbestos specialist

, as this can potentially damage your health and anybody around you.

Can you paint over Artex?


We don’t recommend you paint straight over Artex

, it’ll take several coats no matter how good the paint is. But, if you level out the Artex first, then you can paint it. There are plenty of smoothing products available which can make evening your Artex easy.

Can I plaster over asbestos Artex?

Can I cover up or skim over textured coatings that contain asbestos?

If the textured coating/Artex is in good condition then it is safe to apply a sealant, cover the coating with new plasterboard or skim over it with a new layer of plaster

.

How do you skim a ceiling for beginners?

Do I need to PVA over Artex before plastering?


The PVA can be applied the day before as the artex provides a rough surface which will act as a good key

. If it is really smooth though you need to either apply the plaster when PVA is tacky or if wanting to PVA day before a handful of sand mixed in with PVA will provide a rough surface for plaster to stick to.

Does Artex ceilings devalue a house?

Now,

Artex ceilings can actually devalue a house

. It’s very difficult to match up new repairs onto old Artex patterns. Undamaged and painted Artex is usually harmless. However, many people don’t like asbestos–based building materials in their home and will take any opportunity to remove it.

Is Artex out of fashion?

Artex ceilings

Sometimes referred to as ‘popcorn’ or ‘cottage cheese’ ceilings, they fell out of favour years ago, not only because

the look was no longer considered fashionable

, but also because until the mid-80s Artex was made with white asbestos to make it stronger.

How do you bond with Artex?

Can you skim over textured ceiling?


With painted texture, some pros scrape as best they can and then ‘skim coat’ the entire ceiling with a thin layer of joint compound

. Scraping dry texture is a dusty mess, and skim coating requires some practice.

How much does it cost to smooth a textured ceiling?

Project type Cost per square foot Ceiling texture

$1.00 – $2.00
Remove popcorn & retexture $1.80 – $3.80 Smooth textured walls $1.00 – $3.00

Can you board over Artex?

The good news is if the coating/Artex is in good condition then it is safe to apply a sealant, skim over it with a new layer of plaster or cover the coating with new plasterboard.

You can plasterboard over the ceiling as it it as long as you locate joists accurately and screw the plasterboards to the joists

.

What is the easiest way to remove Artex?

Removing Artex with Steam


Using a steamer is the most labour intensive and time consuming way to remove artex

. You’ll need a lot of patience, as it will involve moving very slowly and steadily – if you leave your steamer in one place too long you risk damaging the wall behind the coating.

How do you get rid of asbestos Artex?

There are two ways in which this is completed. One is

through the application of steam which gently removes the asbestos Artex along with hand scraping

. The other is through chemical gel application which when left to soak allows the asbestos Artex to be scraped away. Both ways are messy and time-consuming procedures.

Does Wallpapermark remove Artex?

Products include

Zinsser concentrated wallpaper stripper, X-Tex Artex removal or Fuze Durostrip Artex removal

. These will help to loosen the coating and make it easier to strip off the wall. Like the wallpaper steaming option, this still involves a lot of hard work to remove the covering.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.