Avanti Can Help With Asbestos in Artex Removals
Back in the 1970s and 80s Artex swirls and stippling was a fashionable finish for British homes. It was created using plaster that had been thickened with asbestos to make it more pliable in its application. And it was made all the more popular because DIYers were able to finish walls and ceilings effectively without the services of a professional plasterer.
Asbestos was finally banned for use in construction materials in 1999. However, we’re still living with the legacy of the Artex, or textured coating trend. There are numerous homes across the UK that still have rooms plastered with it. The hazards of asbestos are also far more widely publicised now than they were, then. But the Health & Safety Executive argues that there’s still not enough public awareness of the dangers around the effects of this toxic material.
Why is Asbestos a Danger to Health?
Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibres which disperse into the air when it’s disturbed or damaged. These are invisible to the human eye but, when breathed in, they can cause serious damage to the lungs. The most chronic effects of asbestos inhalation tend to occur after a long period of inhalation, but even short-term exposure can lead to breathing problems.
When Does Asbestos in Artex Become a Problem?
So long as the Artex is undisturbed and undamaged the risk of asbestos inhalation is low.
The risk becomes extremely high when you:
- Drill holes in Artex
- Attempt to remove it
- Knock down walls or ceilings it covers
- Removing plasterboard
If you’re planning any of these kinds of activity, you should contact an HSE accredited asbestos removals company. They will carry out a survey to test the wall covering for asbestos. If necessary, they will carry out a safe, controlled removal of the plaster.
What is an Asbestos Survey?
An asbestos survey is carried out by licensed asbestos experts who will inspect the Artex and take samples. These are then sent to UKAS accredited laboratories for analysis and reporting. The tests will determine whether or not asbestos is presents, the type of asbestos used, and its concentration levels. Surveys also include air monitoring testing to check the concentration of airborne fibres present in the environment.
What Should I do if Asbestos is Present?
1. Even if we find asbestos it is unlikely to cause a risk if it remains undisturbed.
2. You can apply sealant, cover the Artex with plasterboard, or apply a plaster skim without incurring a risk to health.
3. Should you be planning work which would damage or disturb the asbestos the risk of danger is high. In a domestic environment you should contact a licensed asbestos removals company. In a work environment, you need to need to notify the relevant enforcing authority .
Call Avanti for Expert Artex Removals
We’re HSE licensed asbestos specialists, with years of experience in the removal of Artex from homes and workplaces. The Avanti team prides itself on the application and maintenance of the highest standards of safety throughout our removals process. We offer a prompt response to enquiries with asbestos surveys, risk management and asbestos removals.
