Dec 15, 2018 cracks that cause concern are those which run across the length of a ceiling and then continue down a wall along the same line. As they are artex ceilings and look horrible we have had them smoothed over by a plasterer and the cracks just reappeared after a few weeks. I thinks its generaly older artex that contains asbestos, remember there are different types of asbestos, not all are considered dangerous. If you dont mind the ceiling looking like a commercial building, a drop ceiling is an economical coverup. Sep 23, 2019 asbestos in artex ceilings swirl pattern artex ceiling artex was used a lot throughout the 1970s, mainly on ceilings but also on interior walls. Artex and other textured ceiling or wall coatings brought and applied after 2000 should not contain asbestos but you should always check before you remove it, unless you are using a nontoxic product like xtex. Plastering over artex ceilings plastering for beginners. Cracks in drywall can be caused by truss uplift or vibrations from an appliance, such as a. Ceiling cracks become more of a red flag if there are other signs that the house may have movement or structural problems.
Feb 26, 20 asbestos itself is only dangerous when breathed in as dust. You can remove old artex by using a wallpaper steamer or a specialty removal product, but either method can be very timeconsuming. Plasterer has scraped artex ceilings is this potentially. Cracks in the ceiling can be cosmetic or indicative of a serious structural problem. Cracks that cause concern are those which run across the length of a ceiling and then continue down a wall along the same line. Removing artex with an external product if youre looking for a faster solution to your artex removal, you can use a waterbased coating remover such as xtex. Repairing artex requires a great level of skill, and in most cases the entire ceiling will need to be repainted. I had similar and was told it was such low grade asbestos, if there at all, that it didnt matter.
In older homes, asbestos is often present in ceilings decorated using artex textured coating. Settlement cracks if a part of the house is sagging, you may find converging cracks running across your plaster walls. Before beginning either procedure, you must also make sure that the artex does not. I remember that we had to delay moving in because of a water leak. I am concerned about a crack in my asbestoscontaining. Really worried about artex moneysavingexpert forum. I patched up a cracky artex ceiling relatively easily using this. The water flowed to an old crack in the ceiling where it dripped through the artex causing a stain.
Artex is the name of a company that produces textured wall and ceiling coatings. Cracked broken artex containing asbestos, what are my. You have nothing to worry about unless your planning to pull the ceiling down, and even then the risk is minimal if its just asbestos in the artex. Many people will skim over the artex to get a smooth ceiling, its easier than trying to chip the stuff off. You are right that some old artex contains asbestos but this isnt on the scale of asbestos used as insulation so there is no need to panic. Dec 10, 2018 you might think that peeling ceiling paint is simply an oldhouse problem. For our us readers artex is not dissimilar to popcorn coatings applied to ceilings and sometimes walls.
Quite frankly, knowing the difference between the different types of ceiling cracks can save your home. Im in the midst of renovating our kitchen, the concrete ceiling is in a pretty bad state, not structurally but the artex covering it needs some attention. Depending on your taste they can be a pleasant feature or an unsightly distraction. While unattractive, cracks in your ceiling usually arent a cause for alarm, unless they accompany other problems, such as blackened drywall or a known leak. Without consulting anyone getting it tested hes scraped off the artex ceiling leaving the room very dusty and the artex chippings everywhere. Artex ceilings and the possibility of asbestos overclockers. If you can email a photo of some of the cracks to me, i can probably tell you what they are from structural movement, or perhaps the texture was applied too wet, and shrank as it dried, etc. Drilling the odd hole in it wont be at all dangerous either. So the inspector never made any real note about the cracks in the ceiling, but over the past two days where i have been sick at home, ive looked at them more and wanted to get an opinion on this. Some say dont touch it, get the experts in, etc, but then others say theres a lot of confusion over how dangerous it is and actually white abestos, with levels of % in a plaster finish, presents very little danger as long as precautions are taken, such as wearing a max, ventilated area, dust sheets etc. It is cracked and has even broken away in one corner. Posted on april 23, 2017 by stephen during its heyday in the early to mid20th century asbestos found its way into a variety of building materials including a decorative, plasterlike substance marketed under the brand name artex. However, work on textured coatings can be carried out by nonlicensed workers who are appropriately trained. The ceiling above the shower in my bathroom is artexed and has cracked, with the artex beginning to flake away slightly.
The older a structure is, the more likely that stress, moisture, and temperature will cause the formation of cracks. Skimming over is fine, but by law, the landlord would have. You might think that peeling ceiling paint is simply an oldhouse problem. Cracks in the ceiling are almost certainly nothing to worry about, at least structurally. Nov 10, 2017 interior design trends come and go, and most of them can be hidden with a simple lick of paint, or removed and replaced. Artexing is becomming a lost art as more people are trying to get rid of it that actually want it.
Home asbestos in artex surface coatings asbestos is a hazardous substance that causes illhealth to anyone who disturbs or damages it. Hairline cracks in every ceiling of recently bought. Thats around double the asbestos content found in asbestos cement. It has been replastered a couple of times but still the cracks come back.
Heres how to determine the cause of your ceiling cracksand fix them. How to tell if your artex ceiling coating contains asbestos. It was very widely used in britain in the 1970s, mainly with the familiar stippled and swirled patterns. It can lead to a slow and painful death years after exposure. Aug 05, 2006 i thinks its generaly older artex that contains asbestos, remember there are different types of asbestos, not all are considered dangerous. If the work is likely to cause significant break up and. Todays guide how to tell if your artex contains asbestos.
How do i know if the artex in our ceilings have asbestos. This is the most dangerous situation you can be in. So if youre claiming on your insurance for damage to your artex ceiling, its important to choose an experienced contractor. It is often found in places where it can be easily disturbed, for example in partition walls and ceiling tiles. Simple cracks in a ceiling texture are not necessarily something to be worried about. I dont know much about it but various people have said this is dangerous as it may disturb asbestos. How to know when ceiling cracks are structural or just old. Step in chartered surveyor ian rock to provide the answers. Artex ceiling repairs required after leak from ensuite. How to tell if your artex ceiling coating contains.
Thankfully this ceiling in the video pnly has a 15 crack and some loose drywall. Today, artex textured ceilings are not as popular as they once were, although the product is still sold and used. The fact remains however, that it is still a wonderful way of providing a finish on walls and. Many properties have slightly naff features like artex ceilings, which people routinely get rid of anyway.
This is a sign of structural damage, usually related to a weak wall. Textured ceiling repair using the artex easifix texture repair kit if youve been afraid to tackle a textured wall or ceiling thats in need of repair, fear not, this handy guide will show you how to apply and seamlessly blend the texture into the existing. Feb 24, 20 the only thing that could contain asbestos is the artex and it was a minute amount that was used. If the artex was installed pre2000, it may contain asbestos, and cracks can release the dangerous fibres into the air, so we recommend that it is either repaired or removed. Asbestos in artex ceilings swirl pattern artex ceiling artex was used a lot throughout the 1970s, mainly on ceilings but also on interior walls.
No, cracked artex wont release enough asbestos fibres to be measurable. However, some trends such as textured artex ceilings can be a bit more complex. Poor workmanship is the most common cause of early cracks in a ceiling, specifically. The older the home, the more likely for cracks to appear. One of the key uses for asbestos was in textured coatings, like artex, which were used to create decorative finishes on ceilings and walls. Sadly, most homeowners are completely oblivious to what their homes cracks are telling them. Diagnose common plaster problems the craftsman blog.
Asbestos itself is only dangerous when breathed in as dust. I have noticed a crack in our artex covered ceiling. When we bought the bungalow we did have a full survey and were told it was nothing to worry about. Luckily before i started to do anything with it i discovered it could potentially contain asbestos.
Download the free asbestos awareness toolbox talk to let your team know about the dangers of asbestos according to the asbestos removal contractors association arca, the asbestos content of aib is usually 2045%. A crack that is an 18 inch wide and only two feet long in a corner will not be given as much weight as a ceiling with 14 inch wide cracks, three or five feet long and that appear in a number of locations. This is because, until the mid1980s, artex was made with white asbestos to strengthen it. So the inspector never made any real note about the cracks in the ceiling, but over the past two days where i have been sick at home, ive. Artex ceiling repairs should be treated with caution. This is the general overview of the ways to tackle aretx. Jan 07, 2017 thankfully this ceiling in the video pnly has a 15 crack and some loose drywall. A group of cracks converging in one direction are often signs of settling. Installing a corrugated tin ceiling is a unique way to get a minimalistindustrial vibe in a room. I suspect this has got damp over the years since the extractor fan isnt amazingly effective.
Youll just need to paint the substance over the wall or ceiling that is coated with artex, leave it to dry for 3060 minutes possibly slightly longer if the surface is covered by. Ceiling cracks happen naturally over time as a result of many factors. What you need to know about popcorn ceilings also known as stucco or textured ceilings, popcorn ceilings are fairly common in older new zealand homes. If you dont mind the ceiling looking like a commercial building, a. What you need to know about popcorn ceilings chemcare. Usually most contractors and homeowners will view cracks a maintenance or cosmetic issue. Aib can contain a high quantity of asbestos up to 45%. Ceiling cracks are common and usually not a major concern. It was particularly popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Remember, providing artex is left undamaged, there is no increased risk to your health.
Fixing cracks in walls how to fix holes and cracks in walls its easily done, whether its the door handle, back of a chair, or a childs toy thats been hurled across the room, holes in your walls can seem a nightmare to repair. The metal is attached directly to the ceiling joists with screws and is easy to maintain. If you are planning building work, or to get your artex ceiling removed, you can get advice from an environmental health office, the hse or asbestos specialists in order to safely plan the work and prevent accidental asbestos exposure. If your ceilings are plastered, cracks are often attributable to weathering of the plaster. However, before we start i need to give a quick heads up. May 02, 2016 artexing is becomming a lost art as more people are trying to get rid of it that actually want it. Yes, youll want to patch and fill these cracks, but address the bigger issue of foundation problems first. Artex was huge from the 1950s, until as late as the 1990s, and. Nov 10, 2017 asbestos is only considered dangerous if it becomes friable, that is, it is producing breathable dust particles that can get into your lungs. If you wrote a book entitled crimes against property, the chapter on ceilings would contain some pretty grizzly horrors. One that will ensure your artex repairs are treated with. Artex ceilings up to 1985 contained asbestos which we all know is a highly dangerous material. Ceiling cracks and what they tell you about your foundation.
If the ceiling is in good condition leave the artex as is, give it a good coat of uni bond either with a roller or garden sprayer then let that dry,once dry give it another coat of uni bond then while still wet apply two coats of thistle multi finnish,some times if the finnish of the artex is very rough a coat of thistle bonding will be required first. But there are reasons why paint especially that on a ceiling keeps flaking off in a. Artex differs from plaster in that it was marketed as a material intended to receive a textured finish, thus enabling a ceiling to be finished without plastering skills. If nothing else, it can prevent unnecessary stress and anxiety. Apr 30, 2011 in older homes, asbestos is often present in ceilings decorated using artex textured coating. A coat of paint should be fine for slight cracks, but do not sand the surface for preparation this would be dangerous. Well discuss the best options and show you the easiest way to do it. Asbestos containing drywall compounds are not releasing asbestos particles or fibers unless they are dist. These days the dangers of asbestos are relatively well known and, as a consequence, the material has been banned in the uk since 1999. If drilling or sanding artex you are supposed to take precautions to ensure noone. Im going to be repaing a ceiling crack from someones foot stepping down on the drywall ceiling creating the crack. Dec 26, 2017 simply scrape back and plaster over artex. Apr 18, 2016 settlement cracks if a part of the house is sagging, you may find converging cracks running across your plaster walls. Hello wickedtart, i am a decorator, if the artex ceiling has a stippled finish it shouldnt be to difficult to repair it, you could try plaster or something like polifilla, you would mix it with water so that it is so that is about is as creamy as slightly runny porridge,apply is thickly to the damaged area and then use a cheap small about 4x3 inches stippler available from diy or decorators.
Hairline cracks in every ceiling of recently bought property. Apr 22, 2020 ceiling cracks happen naturally over time as a result of many factors. The name has become synonymous with all textured coatings but there are in fact, several competing businesses that sell similar products. Should i be worried about these cracks in the ceiling. Once disturbed, minuscule asbestos fibres are released into the air, which are then inhaled and have the potential to cause serious longterm damage to peoples health. Asbestos is only considered dangerous if it becomes friable, that is, it is producing breathable dust particles that can get into your lungs. Are cracks in artex enough damage to release asbestos. From cracks and bulging to dreaded artex, ceilings can be subject to a whole host of problems. Asbestos was banned in 1999, so any artex predating this has the potential to contain asbestos and it is easy to get it tested to confirm. But there are reasons why paint especially that on a ceiling keeps flaking off in a home of any age. It is basically a thin plaster skim which is then textured by rolling or trowelling. Interior design trends come and go, and most of them can be hidden with a simple lick of paint, or removed and replaced. Currently getting the ceilings skimmed in our new house.
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