Asbestos Artex Testing
Artex applied before 2000 may contain asbestos. The only way to know for certain is laboratory testing. We take samples using a safe wet technique, send them to a UKAS-accredited laboratory, and provide a written report with clear recommendations — typically within five working days.
Whether you are planning a renovation, selling a property, or simply want peace of mind, our artex testing service gives you the documented evidence you need to make an informed decision. We cover Surrey, London, and the South East.
Do not sand, scrape, or drill artex before testing. Disturbing artex that contains asbestos without protection can cause serious and irreversible lung damage. Call 07345 062075 for same-week testing across Surrey and London.
Why artex asbestos testing needs evidence-led planning
Textured coatings cannot be confirmed as asbestos-free by appearance. Sampling before scraping, sanding, drilling or removal gives homeowners and contractors evidence on which to plan safely. The appropriate first step is usually representative sampling and laboratory analysis.
Before work
Check asbestos risk before materials are disturbed.
Material + condition
Both determine whether removal, encapsulation or management is appropriate.
Complete records
Survey evidence and disposal documentation support safe decisions.
The three decisions behind a controlled artex asbestos testing programme
Identify the material
Confirm the asbestos risk relevant to textured ceiling and wall coatings before decorative or refurbishment work.
02Assess condition and access
Damage, weathering, occupant access and planned disturbance determine the appropriate controls.
03Plan controlled work
The plan should define the work scope, protective controls, waste route and documentation for artex asbestos testing.
When to act
Before work begins
Arrange evidence before contractors alter the building fabric.
When material is damaged
Restrict access and obtain a competent assessment before cleaning or repair.
Before buying or leasing
Understand asbestos risk before committing to a property or works budget.
When records are absent
A current survey or inspection provides a defensible basis for decisions.
Before disposal
Asbestos waste needs a legal route, appropriate packaging and complete records.
After an incident
Do not disturb suspect debris; arrange an assessment and controlled response.
Relevant work across Surrey, London and the South East
Clear scope. Controlled work. Complete records.
ARCA Member
A professional framework for planned, controlled asbestos work.
UKATA Certified
Trained operatives who understand material-specific controls.
Full Documentation
Clear records for surveys, waste and completed work.
Why Artex Must Be Tested Before It Is Disturbed
Artex — the textured ceiling and wall coating applied across millions of UK homes between the 1960s and 1990s — was routinely manufactured with chrysotile (white asbestos) as a strengthening and fire-retardant additive. The asbestos content typically ranges from 1% to 6% by weight, which is sufficient to release significant quantities of respirable fibres when the coating is sanded, scraped, or mechanically disturbed.
The critical point is that you cannot tell whether artex contains asbestos by looking at it. The pattern, colour, age, and texture of artex give no reliable indication of its asbestos content. The only definitive method is bulk sampling followed by laboratory analysis using polarised light microscopy (PLM) — the technique used by all UKAS-accredited asbestos laboratories in the UK.
Artex testing is not just about compliance. It is about making an informed decision before you — or a tradesperson working in your home — disturbs a material that could cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer. The Health and Safety Executive estimates that around 5,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases in the UK every year, and domestic exposure during renovation work is a significant and growing contributor.
If your property was built or decorated before 2000, and you are planning any work that involves disturbing ceilings or walls, artex testing is the first step. Our guide to asbestos in artex covers the full background, including which artex types are most likely to contain asbestos and what to do if testing confirms its presence.
Artex Patterns, Periods, and Risk Levels
Stipple / Blown Vinyl
Common period: 1960s–1980s
The most common artex type found in UK homes. Applied directly to plasterboard or plaster ceilings, stipple artex from this period frequently contains chrysotile (white asbestos) at concentrations of 1–6%. Cannot be identified visually — laboratory testing is the only reliable method.
Swirl / Bark Pattern
Common period: 1970s–1985
Swirl and bark-effect artex was applied by specialist decorators and is commonly found in living rooms, hallways, and dining rooms. Asbestos content is similar to stipple artex. The pattern itself gives no indication of whether asbestos is present.
Comb / Ridge Pattern
Common period: 1965–1985
Ridge and comb-pattern artex was widely used in kitchens and bathrooms. The textured ridges can be particularly fragile and prone to releasing fibres if disturbed. Testing is essential before any sanding, scraping, or overboarding.
Smooth Skim Over Artex
Common period: 1985–2000
Many properties had artex skimmed over during the 1990s renovation boom. The skim coat may be asbestos-free, but the original artex beneath may still contain asbestos. Sampling must penetrate through the skim to the original coating.
Post-1985 Artex
Common period: 1985–2000
Artex manufactured after 1985 is unlikely to contain asbestos, as the industry largely phased out asbestos additives following the 1985 ban on blue and brown asbestos. However, some products continued to use chrysotile until 1999. Testing is still recommended for any property built before 2000.
Risk levels are indicative based on typical manufacturing periods. Only laboratory testing can confirm whether a specific sample contains asbestos.
What Our Artex Testing Service Covers
Six Situations That Require Artex Testing
Before Sanding or Scraping Artex
Sanding or dry-scraping artex is one of the most common causes of uncontrolled asbestos exposure in domestic properties. If your artex was applied before 2000, it must be tested before any sanding, scraping, or mechanical removal takes place. This applies to DIY work as well as professional decorating.
Before Overboarding a Ceiling
Overboarding — fixing new plasterboard over existing artex — is a popular alternative to removal. However, if the artex contains asbestos, overboarding must be carried out by a competent person and the asbestos must be recorded in the property's asbestos register. Testing first establishes what you are dealing with.
Before Selling or Buying a Property
Solicitors and mortgage lenders increasingly require asbestos information as part of property transactions. A written artex test report provides clear documentation for buyers, sellers, and their legal teams — and avoids delays or renegotiations at exchange.
Before Renovation or Extension Work
Any renovation work that involves disturbing ceilings or walls — including loft conversions, kitchen refits, and bathroom renovations — requires an asbestos survey before work begins. Artex testing is a key component of a pre-refurbishment survey.
Landlord & Letting Agent Compliance
Landlords have a duty under CAR 2012 to manage asbestos in their rental properties. Testing artex in rental properties provides the evidence base for your asbestos management plan and demonstrates compliance to tenants and local authorities.
After Accidental Disturbance
If artex has been accidentally sanded, scraped, or drilled without prior testing, testing is still required to determine whether asbestos exposure has occurred and to inform any decontamination or clearance air testing that may be needed.
How We Test Artex for Asbestos
Initial Assessment
We review the property details, identify all artex surfaces, and determine the number of samples required. For a standard three-bedroom house, two to four samples are typically sufficient. Larger properties or those with multiple artex types may require additional samples.
Safe Wet Sampling
Our UKATA-qualified surveyor takes samples using a wet technique — dampening the surface before cutting to minimise fibre release. The surveyor wears appropriate PPE throughout, and the sampling area is cleaned and sealed after each sample is taken.
UKAS Laboratory Analysis
Samples are sent to our UKAS-accredited laboratory partner for analysis by polarised light microscopy (PLM). This technique identifies the presence, type, and approximate concentration of any asbestos fibres in the sample. Results are typically available within 3–5 working days.
Written Report & Recommendations
You receive a written report including sample locations with photographs, laboratory certificates, and a clear recommendation: safe to disturb, encapsulate, or remove. The report is suitable for solicitors, mortgage lenders, building control, and your asbestos register.
Next Steps (if required)
If asbestos is confirmed, we can arrange encapsulation or licensed removal as required. We will explain your options clearly and provide a written quotation. There is no obligation to proceed with us, but many clients find it convenient to use the same team for testing and any subsequent work.
Testing Is Not the Same as Removal
Artex testing tells you whether asbestos is present and in what concentration. It does not remove the asbestos. Once you have your test results, you have three options: leave the artex undisturbed (if it is in good condition and will not be disturbed), encapsulate it, or have it removed by a licensed contractor.
Our asbestos artex removal service covers the full removal process for artex-containing ceilings and walls. If you are considering encapsulation as an alternative to removal, see our asbestos encapsulation page for a full explanation of when encapsulation is and is not appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Areas We Cover for Artex Testing
We provide asbestos artex testing across Surrey, London, and the South East. Same-week appointments are available in most areas.
Book an Artex Test
Same-week appointments available across Surrey and London. Results within 3–5 working days. Written report included.
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