70's Textured Ceiling is it Asbestos and how to match the texture ??

[Simon+T]

Helping a friend tidy up a mid 70's Bungalow in Cramlington, Northumberland ready for Sale.

Fixed a couple of leaks the more serious of which has bowed the ceiling.


The tradesman who is helping me suggested the Texture on the ceiling might contain asbestos.
Is this likely, how do I tell ??

Not sure if he is serious or just doesn't want to deal with it. It sagging and unsightly and I would rather fix if possible.

Assuming its not asbestos, if I do fit new plasterboard where its sagging, how could I best match the paint texture /pattern so its not too obvious ??

 

[Deleted member 174758]

The tradesman who is helping me suggested the Texture on the ceiling might contain asbestos.
Is this likely, how do I tell ??

Not sure if he is serious....

You get a test kit and have it tested. There is no way to tell from visual inspection alone as asbestos fibres are actually so small that they cannot be resolved by the human eye (in other words they are much thinner than the human hair). Basically asbestos was allowed in construction in the UK right up to 1999, although its' use started to diminish from the mid to late 1980s. If your ceiling is Artexed and it was done prior to about 1990 then it will contain asbestos, from 1990 to 1999 it may contain asbestos. And I think he is being serious

 

[^woody^]

It will contain asbestos (although in very small quantities and of the least hazardous type) and you will never match a textured finish anyway.

The problem with testing textured coatings is that the small sample from one or even a few locations may well be negative, but other locations may be positive.

It will need removing by a competant person (trained and experienced in this work) but you wont need a fully licenced removal contractor.

Sheeting and containment of the dust will be necessary, and a full vacuum afterwards. Checking the method statement of a potential contractor is the best way to check if they are competant.

Fibres are so light they can waft around in the air for a long time before being breathed in

 

[Simon+T]

Thanks,folks. That's what I needed to know.
Sounds like installing a false ceiling might be far easier and cheaper than disturbing the asbestos.