How-to · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Artex asbestos test results explained: what your lab report means
How Artex is tested
A small piece of the coating is taken from the ceiling or wall, sealed in a bag and sent to a laboratory. The lab examines it under a microscope using standard methods to identify whether asbestos fibres are present and, if so, which type. Results usually come back within a few working days, and many labs offer faster turnaround for an extra charge. Typical prices are around £30 to £80 per sample as a guide.
- Choose a laboratory accredited by UKAS for asbestos identification
- Take one sample from each different coating, pattern or room that looks different
- Label each sample with the room and location
- Seal the sampled spot afterwards with paint, filler or a sealer
- Keep the report with your property records
Reading the report
| Result on the report | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No asbestos detected | No asbestos fibres found in that sample | Skim, overboard or remove as suits the job |
| Chrysotile detected | White asbestos present in the sample | Leave, paint, skim over or have it removed safely |
| Amosite or crocidolite detected | Brown or blue asbestos present, rare in textured coatings | Get specialist advice before any work |
| Sample unsuitable or insufficient | Not enough material to analyse | Take a new, larger sample |
Reports usually also list the sample reference, the location you gave, the date analysed and the analyst. Check the details match the samples you sent.
Why reports say present, not how much
Standard bulk analysis identifies whether asbestos is present and its type. It does not usually give a percentage, and textured coatings typically contained only a small amount. A positive result does not mean the ceiling is dangerous as it stands; it means the coating should not be sanded, scraped or broken up without the right precautions.
Why one sample may not be enough
Different rooms in the same house may have been coated at different times with different products. A hallway may have been done in 1975 and a bedroom in 1992. If the patterns, colours or textures look different, or you know rooms were decorated at different times, test each separately. A negative result in one room does not prove another room is clear.
Walls and ceilings in the same room can also differ, as can extensions, garages and porches, which were often built and coated at different times from the main house.
If the result is negative
You can choose any method. Skimming is usually the quickest and cheapest way to get a smooth finish. Full removal is possible, typically around £25 to £45 per square metre for non-asbestos coatings, but only worth it if you need the original surface back. Keep the report, because future electricians, plasterers and buyers may ask for it.
If the result is positive
- Leave it and paint over it if you are happy with the texture
- Skim over it to seal the coating in and get a smooth finish
- Overboard it with new plasterboard if the ceiling is uneven or damaged
- Have it removed by trained operatives following HSE guidance, with waste disposed of as hazardous
- Tell anyone who will work on the ceiling in future, and keep the report
Skimming is the most common choice, because it seals the coating in without disturbing it. Removal of asbestos-containing Artex is slower and more expensive, typically around £50 to £100 per square metre plus disposal as a guide.
Using the results for future work
A test result is useful long after the job that prompted it. Electricians, plumbers, kitchen fitters and loft installers may all need to know whether a ceiling contains asbestos before drilling or cutting. Keep a copy of the report and a simple note of which rooms were tested, and share it with anyone working on those ceilings.
- Store the lab report digitally and on paper
- Note which rooms and surfaces each sample covered
- Record any rooms that have since been skimmed or overboarded
- Pass the information on when you sell or let the property
If a ceiling that contains asbestos is skimmed over, the coating is still there underneath. Anyone cutting into that ceiling later, for example to fit downlights, still needs to know. Writing it down now saves someone repeating the test or, worse, cutting in without knowing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an Artex asbestos test take?
Most UKAS-accredited laboratories return results within two to five working days of receiving the sample, and many offer same-day or next-day results for a higher fee. If you are using a postal kit, allow for delivery time as well. Plan the test before booking plasterers or electricians so the result is ready before work starts.
Is chrysotile in Artex dangerous?
Chrysotile is a type of asbestos, and all types can cause serious disease if fibres are breathed in. In textured coatings, it is bound into the material and is considered low risk if the coating is in good condition and undisturbed. The risk rises when the coating is sanded, scraped, drilled or broken up without precautions, which is why testing first matters.
Do I need a full asbestos survey or just a test?
For a homeowner who only wants to know whether a textured coating contains asbestos, a sample test is usually enough. A full survey, such as a refurbishment survey, is more appropriate before major renovation or demolition, because it looks for asbestos throughout the areas affected, including hidden materials such as boards, pipe lagging and floor tiles.
asbestos testing lab results chrysotile sampling
