Hello All
I would like to get advice from tutors and plasterers on how to deal with an Artex like textured coating that contains white chrysotile asbestos. I have read the earlier posts here and done some research, as summarised below.
My flat was built in 1970. The coating is on top of concrete ceilings, (except under the steps leading to the upstairs flat where it may be on plasterboard). It is a very shallow pattern of 4mm wide pimples about 1mm to 2mm deep. In one bedroom, the ceiling has been artexed over a second time, forming spikes in places of up to 3mm. The lounge also has a little of this spike pattern in 3 inch wide strips where the concrete slabs join each other, about every 4 feet apart. All the ceilings are painted with matt emulsion and all are in sound condition. Incidentally, the textured coating in the bathroom, which is about 6ft by 6ft, was plastered over, probably about 3 years ago by the previous owner, and the ceiling is fine.
Looking at the earlier forum posts on this topic, I see that there is some risk of the artex falling off the ceiling if it is plastered over. Some comment that this is possibly due to the moisture in the PVA-water mix, or in the wet plaster, weakening the bond between the textured coating and the underlying ceiling. Talking with British Gypsum and Artex, I learned that:
a) Thistle-Bond-It has a small risk of reacting with the textured coating and its use is not recommended and
b) Thistle Uni Finish plaster, or Artex Ceiling Finish powder (preferably after using Artex Sealer), are their only recommended products to smooth out Artex.
Talking with the paint manufacturers, I am informed that the norm is to scratch the ceiling or break the tips of the textured coating to enable the plaster to bond with the underlying substrate. As it is not advisable to do either of these where asbestos is present, any replastering will cause the plaster to stick only to the existing paint on the ceiling. The plaster data sheet shows that it weighs 3.4Kg per Sq M per 2mm coat. I am not sure whether that is dry or wet weight; but 2 to 3 coats of plaster, adding up to 4 to 6mm thickness, may create a lot of weight resting just on the paint.
The plasterers who have come to look at the job are happy to do it, but none is willing to use either Uni Finish or Artex Ceiling Finish. They all seem to have experience of having done such work before and none has had any incidence of the textured coating coming off the ceiling. Two suggested the use of two coats of PVA-water mix, and one suggested a coat of Thistle-Bond-It overnight, prior to plastering with Multi-Finish. Incidentally, the use of Febond has been recommended in the forum; speaking with them they suggested to me the use of Ever Build 501 PVA instead, perhaps because it goes on neat without needing to be diluted with water.
I have not yet come to a decision on whether to (a) just repaint the ceilings as required (and live with the not so pleasant textured look) (b) have the ceilings plastered over to smooth them or (c) get a licensed company to remove the textured coating and then have the concrete ceiling plastered. (I don’t want to put up a false ceiling, owing to the loss of height). I would appreciate your early advice.
Thank you for your valuable time.
I would like to get advice from tutors and plasterers on how to deal with an Artex like textured coating that contains white chrysotile asbestos. I have read the earlier posts here and done some research, as summarised below.
My flat was built in 1970. The coating is on top of concrete ceilings, (except under the steps leading to the upstairs flat where it may be on plasterboard). It is a very shallow pattern of 4mm wide pimples about 1mm to 2mm deep. In one bedroom, the ceiling has been artexed over a second time, forming spikes in places of up to 3mm. The lounge also has a little of this spike pattern in 3 inch wide strips where the concrete slabs join each other, about every 4 feet apart. All the ceilings are painted with matt emulsion and all are in sound condition. Incidentally, the textured coating in the bathroom, which is about 6ft by 6ft, was plastered over, probably about 3 years ago by the previous owner, and the ceiling is fine.
Looking at the earlier forum posts on this topic, I see that there is some risk of the artex falling off the ceiling if it is plastered over. Some comment that this is possibly due to the moisture in the PVA-water mix, or in the wet plaster, weakening the bond between the textured coating and the underlying ceiling. Talking with British Gypsum and Artex, I learned that:
a) Thistle-Bond-It has a small risk of reacting with the textured coating and its use is not recommended and
b) Thistle Uni Finish plaster, or Artex Ceiling Finish powder (preferably after using Artex Sealer), are their only recommended products to smooth out Artex.
Talking with the paint manufacturers, I am informed that the norm is to scratch the ceiling or break the tips of the textured coating to enable the plaster to bond with the underlying substrate. As it is not advisable to do either of these where asbestos is present, any replastering will cause the plaster to stick only to the existing paint on the ceiling. The plaster data sheet shows that it weighs 3.4Kg per Sq M per 2mm coat. I am not sure whether that is dry or wet weight; but 2 to 3 coats of plaster, adding up to 4 to 6mm thickness, may create a lot of weight resting just on the paint.
The plasterers who have come to look at the job are happy to do it, but none is willing to use either Uni Finish or Artex Ceiling Finish. They all seem to have experience of having done such work before and none has had any incidence of the textured coating coming off the ceiling. Two suggested the use of two coats of PVA-water mix, and one suggested a coat of Thistle-Bond-It overnight, prior to plastering with Multi-Finish. Incidentally, the use of Febond has been recommended in the forum; speaking with them they suggested to me the use of Ever Build 501 PVA instead, perhaps because it goes on neat without needing to be diluted with water.
I have not yet come to a decision on whether to (a) just repaint the ceilings as required (and live with the not so pleasant textured look) (b) have the ceilings plastered over to smooth them or (c) get a licensed company to remove the textured coating and then have the concrete ceiling plastered. (I don’t want to put up a false ceiling, owing to the loss of height). I would appreciate your early advice.
Thank you for your valuable time.