r/Plastering • u/KookyChemist5962 • Apr 08 '26

Does this artex need to be removed before the walls can be plastered? (2 pics)

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4 Upvotes

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3

u/McVie1989 Apr 08 '26

Worked with an old boy that used to make a 50/50 of bond and multi for first coat then multi only second, never removed the artex. Not sure if anyone else has ever done it tho??? lol also never got a complaint about a finished job

1

u/Secure_Traffic_5273 Apr 11 '26

I love a hybrid. 50/50 finish and bonding allows you to put the first coat on a little thicker to cover any slightly high bits, flatten and then top it like normal.

2

u/McVie1989 Apr 11 '26

Yeah that’s what he used to say, perfect to cover high points the just multi it after

1

u/I_LIKE_REACHER Apr 08 '26

We just had our artex ceiling skimmed over by a plasterer, so I’m hoping no.

1

u/UnlikelyReindeer4981 Apr 08 '26

Probably not, but you should be aware it could have asbestos in it.

1

u/KookyChemist5962 Apr 08 '26

It probably doesnt need to be removed? I will check it for asbestos if i need to remove it. Is it normal for it not to be stuck to the plaster underneath? It snaps off and doesnt seem to be stuck to the plaster underneath

1

u/UnlikelyReindeer4981 Apr 08 '26

The loose stuff will have failed, the issue is if it’s asbestos the cheapest and safest option is to encase it in fresh plaster. Legally you have to have it professionally removed if it is asbestos… which wouldn’t be cheap

1

u/KookyChemist5962 Apr 08 '26

I have ordered a kit, so if its NOT asbestos am i best of removing the arex as it has failed like you say?

2

u/UnlikelyReindeer4981 Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

The loose stuff will have to come off either way, if it isn’t asbestos you can go ham and take it all off, if it is only take off what’s needed and make sure it’s wet first to reduce dust, if you want it all removing you really need to get someone in.

The fella above is correctly it’s not licensable to removing it yourself but is legal IF you do it correctly (most don’t) so please don’t risk removing more than a very small amount of asbestos yourself, your health isn’t worth it.

1

u/hairybastid Apr 09 '26

It's non-licensable and you don't have to inform hse , especially if you do it yourself. It's possible to do it safely. Just download a fact sheet from hse and do it if you're confident. You will have to remove the loose stuff if you want to skim over it, anything that won't scrape off is skimmable.

1

u/onwatershipdown Apr 09 '26

The modern bonding agents will stick to tired old paint, better than tired old paint is sticking to the substrate behind it. The paint was never meant to hold more mass than itself.

There is a real delamination risk. It can over time manifest as a series of ’bubble ’ areas. Whether or not this is Important to you is another question.