How to Remove Artex

How to Remove Artex

Artex was big in the 1970s. Now, homeowners want a smooth finish on their walls and ceilings.

If you're renovating or simply finding the Artex a little challenging to maintain, you may wish to remove it. You have two options: either removing the texture or covering it.

Which to choose depends on where the Artex is, your budget, and whether the Artex contains asbestos. It can also be messy, so lots of preparation is required.

You can hire the tools you need to remove Artex from Speedy Hire by booking online for collection or delivery to your site.

 

What is Artex?

Artex is a decorative coating usually used on ceilings and occasionally walls. It is textured, so it can cover uneven or cracked surfaces without the need to repair or replaster them. While it is a trademark company name, it is now a broader term for textured finishes on home walls and ceilings.

 

Before you begin

Before working with Artex, you need to ensure it contains no asbestos. Asbestos was initially used in Artex to harden and strengthen the coating and finish.

To test the Artex in your home for asbestos, you need to send off a sample for testing. However, this can disturb any asbestos, so it is best to get an accredited business to do this for you.

Before any decorating work, remember your PPE. Remember eye protection, a dust mask, and gloves when working with Artex, dust particles, and potential asbestos. You will also want to protect your clothing.

Any PPE required can be purchased from Speedy Hire alongside booking your required hire tools and equipment.

 

How to remove Artex

As long as asbestos isn't present, you can DIY Artex removal or board covering.

 

Steaming

Like wallpaper, Artex can often be softened using a wallpaper steamer or stripper. The softened Artex can then be scraped away.

You will need:

• Wallpaper stripper
• Low-level access platform
• PPE (eye protection, gloves, work shoes, and dust mask)
• Scraper

Place the steamer plate on each section for a few seconds before testing with a scraper to check the softness. Don't leave the steamer in place too long, as this can damage the surface below the Artex.

Our hire products come with instructions and a guide, so read this before beginning the job. Removing Artex is similar to removing woodchip wallpaper, so read our guide before proceeding.

Stripping Artex can be messy, so remove as much furniture and décor as possible from the room and cover everything else with plastic sheeting.

 

Sanding

You can try sanding back artex, especially if it is bumps and can be flattened. You will need a dry wall sander which can reach the ceiling and work to flatten imperfections and bumps.

 

Chemical removers

There are products on the market which can soften Artex, enabling it to be scraped away. This is chemical Artex remover, which you leave in place until the correct time has passed and then scrape.

This can be less strenuous and time-consuming than using a paper stripper, but you do need to follow the product's instructions. They can often harm skin, clothing, or other surfaces they get on, so be careful when handling them. Wear breathing protection, gloves, and cover clothing.

 

How to cover Artex

Artex can also be covered by skimming over it or using ceiling boards. However, something to bear in mind is whether the Artex will likely be disturbed in the future. If so, and it contains asbestos, you best get a professional in.

Skimming will require some plastering or skimming skills. Therefore, if you want to do this job yourself, it may be easier to board over the Artex.

 

How to board over Artex

You will need:

• Ceiling boards
• Drill
• Joist/stud detector

Firstly, detect the joists of your ceiling using a detector. These will be the base on which you attach the ceiling boards or plasterboard, and their placement will give you a rough estimate of the required size of the board.

You can drill the boards into the joists. Drill a pilot hole before driving a screw into the hole to fix it.

The downside is that the height of your ceiling will be reduced, but it is the safest and easiest method. Just fill in any gaps and screw holes with filler and allow to dry before sanding if needed.

 

How to skim Artex

Before skimming or plastering over Artex, you want to scrape off as many swirls or patterns as possible. Coat the ceiling with PVA glue and allow it to dry before skimming.

SPEEDY TOP TIP: Add some food colouring to the PVA glue so you know where you've covered already.

Alternatively, you can use some bonding agent. Once the PVA starts to go tacky, mix the plaster. Start in the left-hand corner of the room and use enough plaster to cover the Artex. If the pattern is deep, you will need a thicker first coat.

Leave it to dry before giving a second cover. Once completely dry, read our guides on how to paint fresh plaster and how to paint a ceiling.

Most people opt for white ceilings, but colour blocking is trendy right now, so you can always paint your ceiling the same colour as your walls.

 

 

Ready to hire?

Start hiring today by opening a Speedy account online or on the app for all your tool hire needs.

Speedy has more than 200 local service centres nationwide and 4-hour delivery across our Capital Commitment products. It has never been easier to hire the tools and equipment you need.