Artex......

[greymare]

I am in the process of buying a two bedroom terraced house about 100 yrs old. Lots of the walls have been artexed which I plan to remove. I will have the walls skimmed but to save expense I am planning to get the walls back to the brick with help from friends. Is this feasible using breakers hired from the local merchants. I was told not to plaster on top of the artexing as it would be level or over the level of skirting, arcitraving and picture rails which I want to retain.

 

[Fozz84]

I have removed artex with a steamer, anyone else agree...

 

[noseall]

I have removed artex with a steamer, anyone else agree...

yes it can be done. i've also heard wall paper paste breaks it down too.

 

[Cartboy52]

Be careful when removing artex. Older stuff tends to have asbestos in it!

 

[joe-90]

Be careful when removing artex. Older stuff tends to have asbestos in it!

Tiny amounts that aren't as dangerous as fag smoke,

 

[noseall]

as i understand it, unlike fag smoke, asbestos fibres are not as easily exhaled as they are inhaled.

there construction is such, that the fibres are slightly barbed and it is this 'hook' that attaches itself to the lung lining wall. they then manifest into disease.


probably.

 

[Newboy]

noseall - spot on and if you destroy the artex (break it up or abrade it) then you release the fibres

steam strippers do work (heavy duty type rather than DIY) and they have the added advantage that there is no dust to speak of

joe-90 - great advice - you might want to meet the bloke I used to work with - oops, sorry you can't he died of asbestos related lung cancer three years ago!