Advice · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Artex and asbestos myths: what is true and what is not
Myth: all Artex contains asbestos
Many textured coatings contained a small amount of chrysotile, or white asbestos, mostly in products made before the mid-1980s. Many others never did. Artex is actually a brand name, but it has become the everyday word for any textured ceiling coating, so the term covers a wide range of products and ages. The only way to know is to have a sample tested by an accredited laboratory.
Even where asbestos was present, the amount was usually small, and it is bound into the coating rather than loose. That does not make it harmless if it is broken up, but it does explain why HSE treats textured coatings as one of the lower-risk asbestos materials.
Myth: you can tell by the pattern or colour
There is no visual way to tell whether a coating contains asbestos. Swirl, stipple, comb and bark patterns were all produced with and without asbestos, and coatings applied years apart can look identical once painted. The age of the property helps: a coating applied after 2000 is very unlikely to contain asbestos, because all use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999.
Some people assume that a coating which has been painted many times is safe because it is sealed. Paint does help, but it does not change what is in the coating, and it can still be disturbed by sanding, scraping or drilling.
Myth: Artex with asbestos must be removed
There is no general requirement for homeowners to remove asbestos-containing textured coatings. In good condition and left undisturbed, they are low risk. Common, accepted options are to leave and paint over them, to skim over them so they are sealed in, or to overboard them. Removal is only one option and is usually the most disruptive.
Removal also creates the most disturbance and waste. Leaving or sealing the coating means nothing is broken up, which is why skimming is often described as the safest route for a sound ceiling.
Myth: only licensed contractors can work on it
HSE classes work on textured decorative coatings as low risk, and most of it can be done by non-licensed workers who are trained to work safely with asbestos. Large-scale removal using steaming or gel methods is notifiable non-licensed work, which means the employer must notify the enforcing authority and keep health records. A licensed contractor is needed for higher-risk methods, or where the coating is on top of asbestos insulating board.
Being non-licensed does not mean anyone can do it without precautions. Workers still need asbestos awareness training, suitable equipment and the right methods to keep dust down, and waste still has to be disposed of as hazardous if the coating contains asbestos.
More myths, quickly
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Skimming over asbestos Artex is illegal | It is legal and a common way to seal the coating in |
| Wetting the coating makes it completely safe to scrape | Wetting reduces dust but does not make dry scraping or sanding safe |
| A dust mask from a DIY shop is enough | HSE guidance for this work points to a disposable FFP3 respirator as a minimum |
| A test result is valid for the whole house | Different rooms may have different coatings, so sample each type |
| One exposure will definitely make you ill | Risk relates to the amount and frequency of exposure, but any avoidable exposure should be avoided |
| New builds can have asbestos Artex | Very unlikely if built and decorated after 2000 |
Myth: sanding is fine if you open a window
Sanding is the single worst thing you can do to a textured coating that has not been tested. Power sanders break the material into fine dust that spreads through the house and settles on surfaces, and opening a window does not remove it. If a coating may contain asbestos, it should not be sanded at all. Even for a coating that has tested negative, sanding is messy and slow, and skimming is usually a better route to a smooth finish.
What to do instead
- Find out when the coating was applied, if you can
- Have a sample tested before any work that will disturb it
- Choose between painting, skimming, overboarding or removal based on the result and your plans
- Use someone who knows how to work with textured coatings safely
- Keep the test result and records of the work for the future
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to live in a house with Artex ceilings?
Yes, in most cases. Textured coatings in good condition, even those containing asbestos, are low risk if they are not disturbed. The risk comes from sanding, scraping, drilling or damaging them. Keep the coating painted and in good repair, and have it tested before any building, electrical or decorating work that could break the surface.
Can I test Artex for asbestos myself?
You can buy postal sampling kits, which are sent to a laboratory for analysis. If you take your own sample, follow the lab's instructions closely: dampen the area, wear a disposable FFP3 mask and gloves, take a small piece, seal it in the bag provided and seal the spot afterwards with paint or filler. Many people prefer a surveyor or contractor to take the sample.
Did Artex stop using asbestos in the 1980s?
Manufacturers of textured coatings moved away from asbestos during the 1980s, and that is why coatings from before the mid-1980s are most likely to contain it. However, older stock and other products may have been used for some time afterwards, and all asbestos use was banned in the UK only in 1999. Any coating applied before 2000 should be treated as possibly containing asbestos until tested.
myths asbestos Artex safety
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