Does My Artex Contain Asbestos?
A practical guide for UK homeowners. How to assess your textured ceiling coating, which patterns are highest risk, and what to do before any renovation work.
Quick answer:
If your Artex was applied before 1985 and has a distinct pattern (swirl, stipple, fan, bark), it may contain up to 3% chrysotile asbestos. You cannot confirm this by sight — only laboratory analysis of a sample can tell you for certain.
Artex and other textured decorative coatings applied before approximately 1985 may contain chrysotile (white asbestos) at concentrations of up to 3%. The coating itself is not dangerous when intact — the risk arises when it is sanded, scraped, or drilled. Before any renovation work that disturbs a pre-1985 ceiling, testing is essential.
What is Artex and why does it matter?
Artex is a brand name that became a generic term for any textured decorative coating applied to ceilings and walls. It was enormously popular in the UK from the 1960s through to the late 1980s — the swirled, stippled, and combed patterns it produced were considered modern and fashionable. In South East London, it is present in the majority of homes built or refurbished between 1965 and 1985.
The original Artex formulation contained chrysotile (white asbestos) as a reinforcing agent. The manufacturer phased this out around 1984, but the exact cut-off date varies — some batches applied in 1984 and early 1985 may still contain asbestos. The HSE's guidance on asbestos in buildings is clear: if you cannot confirm the coating was applied after 1985, treat it as potentially containing asbestos.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, large-scale removal of asbestos-containing Artex (more than one room, or more than 100m²) is notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW), requiring advance notification to the HSE. It cannot be carried out by an untrained person.
Artex patterns: risk by era
The pattern alone cannot confirm asbestos — but it is a strong indicator of the era of application, which determines the probability of asbestos content.
Swirl / Circular
1960s–1980sConcentric circles applied with a brush or pad. One of the most common patterns in South East London homes. Very likely to pre-date 1985.
Stipple
1960s–1980sRough, bumpy texture applied with a sponge or roller. Common on ceilings and upper walls. Often painted over multiple times.
Bark / Tree bark
1970s–1980sDeep, irregular ridges resembling tree bark. Applied with a comb or trowel. Less common but found in older SE London properties.
Fan / Comb
1970s–1980sRepeating fan or arc shapes created with a comb tool. Distinctive and easy to identify. Almost certainly pre-1985 if original.
Broken leather
1970s–1980sIrregular cracked pattern resembling leather. Applied with a crumpled plastic bag or similar tool. Common in 1970s kitchens.
Sand / Fine texture
1980s–1990sFine, sandy texture with no distinct pattern. May be post-1985. Testing still recommended if property was built before 1990.
Smooth skim
AnyFlat, smooth plaster finish. Not Artex. No asbestos risk from the coating itself (though underlying materials may differ).
Pattern identification is a guide only. The only definitive test is laboratory analysis of a sample. See HSE Asbestos Essentials for further guidance.
What is safe — and what is not
Safe — no disturbance
- ✓Painting over intact Artex with a roller or brush
- ✓Leaving intact Artex in place and managing it
- ✓Hanging pictures with a single nail (minimal disturbance)
- ✓Commissioning a survey and sample test
- ✓Calling Diamond for a free assessment
Not safe — causes disturbance
- ✗Sanding or scraping Artex to smooth it
- ✗Drilling through Artex for light fittings
- ✗Dry-scraping or using a heat gun
- ✗Skimming over Artex without testing first
- ✗DIY removal of any kind
The Lewisham kitchen that nearly became a problem
A homeowner in Lewisham called us after a plasterer had quoted to skim over the kitchen ceiling. The plasterer had said the Artex was "probably fine" and had started sanding a test patch to see how it would take the skim coat. The homeowner had seen our website and wanted a second opinion before the work continued.
We visited the same afternoon. The ceiling had a classic stipple pattern — the kind applied with a sponge roller that was ubiquitous in 1970s kitchens. The house was built in 1971. We took a sample from an undisturbed area and sent it to the laboratory. The result came back: 2.1% chrysotile.
The sanded patch the plasterer had created was a problem. We contained the area, carried out a localised clean-up, and then removed the entire ceiling coating using a wet method — which suppresses fibre release — over two days. The ceiling was then re-plastered and the homeowner had a clean, smooth finish and a 4-stage clearance certificate.
The plasterer was not at fault — he genuinely did not know. But the cost of getting it wrong would have been significant. A test before the work started would have cost £200. The containment, removal, and clearance cost considerably more. Test first.
Removal and management options
Leave and manage
£0 (survey cost only)
Intact, undamaged Artex not being disturbed
✓No disruption
✓No cost beyond survey
✓Legally compliant if managed
–Must be monitored
–Cannot be sanded or drilled
–Must be disclosed to future buyers
Skim over (encapsulation)
£300–£800 per room
Intact Artex, renovation planned
✓Smooth finish achieved
✓Lower cost than removal
✓Fibres sealed beneath skim
–Asbestos remains in place
–Must be disclosed
–Future removal more complex
Full removal
£600–£1,500 per room
Damaged Artex, full renovation, sale preparation
✓Asbestos permanently removed
✓Clean clearance certificate
✓No future disclosure needed
–Higher cost
–2–3 days per room
–Requires trained operative
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
What Does Asbestos Look Like?
Full visual identification guide covering all common asbestos-containing materials in UK homes.
Read →Asbestos in Floor Tiles & Vinyl Flooring
How to identify thermoplastic and vinyl floor tiles that may contain asbestos — including the adhesive.
Read →Artex Removal Service
How Diamond removes Artex safely using wet methods — and what the 4-stage clearance process involves.
Read →Not sure about your Artex?
We take a sample, send it to a UKAS-accredited laboratory, and give you a written result. Free site assessment — no obligation.
Diamond Asbestos Services Ltd · 182 Evelyn Street, London SE8 5DB · Co. No. 17239791