Asbestos testing for Artex

Sampling and accredited lab analysis of Artex and textured coatings so you know whether asbestos is present before any work. Typical UK prices.

In short: Asbestos testing for Artex involves taking a small sample of the textured coating and having it analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory to confirm whether asbestos is present. It is recommended for any coating applied before 2000 before it is sanded, scraped or drilled. In the UK a test usually costs £30 to £80 per sample.

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You cannot tell whether a textured coating contains asbestos by looking at it, by its pattern, or by the age of the house alone. Coatings were often reapplied or patched over the decades, so two rooms in the same property can give different results. A lab test is the only way to know, and it is cheap compared with the cost of getting the method wrong.

A sample is a small piece of coating, roughly the size of a thumbnail, cut out carefully after the area is dampened to keep dust down. It is sealed in a bag and sent to a UKAS-accredited lab, which examines it under a microscope. Results usually come back within a few working days, and the small hole is sealed so no material is left exposed.

What is included

Advice on how many samples are needed and from which rooms
Dampening the coating before sampling to suppress dust
Cutting and sealing the sample in a labelled bag
Sealing the sample point so no coating is left exposed
Analysis by a UKAS-accredited laboratory
A written result stating whether asbestos was detected and its type
Advice on the right next step based on the result

Who it is for

Any textured coating applied before 2000
Owners planning to drill, cut or remove part of a ceiling
Buyers who want to know what they are dealing with before budgeting
Landlords and agents needing a record before contractors start
Rooms where different patterns suggest coatings of different ages

How much does it cost?

As a guide, an asbestos sample test for a textured coating usually costs £30 to £80 per sample, with a site visit to take the samples sometimes adding to that. See our full cost guide.

How it works

How asbestos testing for artex works, step by step

Decide what to sample

Rooms that look as if they were coated at different times are sampled separately, as one result does not always cover a whole house.

Take the sample

The area is dampened, a small piece is cut out with hand tools and sealed in a labelled bag.

Lab analysis

The sample goes to a UKAS-accredited lab for microscope analysis, usually within a few working days.

Plan the work

The result decides whether skimming, removal or specialist handling is the right next step.

Asbestos testing for Artex: FAQs

Can I take the sample myself?

Home testing kits are available and some people use them for a single sample. If you do, follow the kit's instructions closely: wet the area, wear a disposable mask of at least FFP3 standard, use hand tools only, seal the sample and the hole. Many people prefer a professional sample so the right areas are chosen and the result is clearly documented.

How many samples do I need?

At least one per distinct coating. If every room has the same pattern and was clearly done at the same time, a single sample may be enough. If patterns differ between rooms, or some ceilings look newer, sample each one. A negative result in one room does not prove another room is clear.

What does the result tell me?

The lab report says whether asbestos was detected and, if so, the type, usually chrysotile in textured coatings. It does not usually give an exact percentage. A positive result does not mean the room is unsafe to use; it means the coating should not be sanded, scraped or drilled without the right precautions.

Is a test worth it if I am only skimming?

Usually yes. Skimming itself does not disturb the coating much, but the preparation often involves scraping back high points, and electricians may need to drill for new fittings. Knowing the result lets the plasterer choose a preparation method that suits it, and gives you a record if you sell the property later.