Sampling and laboratory analysis
Artex Asbestos Testing
Textured coatings — Artex being the best-known brand — were widely used on ceilings and walls in UK homes from the 1960s onwards, and older formulations were reinforced with asbestos. You cannot tell by looking. Testing a sample is what settles it before you scrape, sand, drill or board over.
How the testing works
- Step 1
Tell us what you're dealing with
The room, the approximate age of the ceiling or wall finish, and what you're planning to do to it. A photo sent over WhatsApp is often enough for us to advise on scope.
- Step 2
We take a representative sample
A small sample is taken under controlled conditions and sealed. Where a property has several different textured finishes applied at different times, each one is a separate sample — they can differ.
- Step 3
Independent UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis
The sample is analysed by an independent UKAS-accredited laboratory. The result identifies whether asbestos is present and, if so, which type.
- Step 4
A written result you can act on
You receive the laboratory result with the sample location recorded, plus plain-English context on what it means for the work you were planning.
What the result means for your plans
A negative result means the coating can be treated like any other decorative finish. A positive result does not mean the material has to come out: a textured coating in sound condition, left undisturbed, is generally managed in place. What changes is how any work on it is planned and who carries it out — dry scraping and power sanding are not appropriate, and the work falls under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
We are an independent consultancy and do not carry out removal, so the result you get is a result — not a quotation for stripping your ceilings.
Testing more than one material, or working through a refurbishment? Asbestos sampling, surveys before building work and the survey selector will point you in the right direction.
Send a photo on WhatsApp
Send us a photo of the ceiling
If you've uncovered a material you're concerned about, send us a photograph and some basic information about the property. We can advise whether sampling or a survey may be appropriate, and what it would cost.
A photograph cannot confirm whether a material contains asbestos. Appearance can sometimes indicate whether professional sampling or further investigation is sensible, but only laboratory analysis of a sample can confirm asbestos content.
Do not disturb, break or sweep up a material you suspect contains asbestos.
Get a quote
Get a price for Artex testing
Tell us where the coating is, how many different finishes you'd like tested and whether works are planned. We'll confirm the price and availability.
- P402/P405 qualified surveyors
- HSG264 survey methodology
- Thousands of surveys completed
- UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis
- Independent — we do not sell asbestos removal
Artex and asbestos — questions we're asked
Does all Artex contain asbestos?
No. Textured coatings were commonly made with chrysotile asbestos as a reinforcement into the 1980s, and asbestos-containing products were not banned outright in the UK until 1999. Later formulations are asbestos-free. The only way to know which you have is laboratory analysis of a sample — appearance, pattern and brand name are not reliable indicators.
Is it dangerous if I leave it alone?
Textured coatings are generally a low-risk material while they are in good condition, sealed and undisturbed. Risk arises from disturbance — scraping, sanding, drilling and demolition — which is why testing matters before work rather than after.
Can I scrape or sand it off myself?
Not before you know what it is, and not by dry scraping or power sanding in any case. Where asbestos is confirmed, work on textured coatings is subject to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and should be carried out by contractors competent and equipped for that work.
Can I skim or board over it instead?
Over-boarding or skimming is sometimes used as an alternative to removal, because it can leave the material in place and undisturbed. It still involves fixings and preparation, so the material should be identified first and the approach discussed with a competent contractor.
How many samples do I need?
One per distinct textured finish. A ceiling in one room and a different-looking finish in another may date from different works, so a single result does not necessarily cover the whole property.
How long do results take?
Tell us your deadline when you enquire and we'll confirm the turnaround we can commit to for your job.
Should I have sampling or a full survey?
If a single textured coating is the only question, sampling usually answers it. If you're refurbishing — new kitchen, rewire, wall removal — a Refurbishment & Demolition Survey scoped to the works covers the coating alongside everything else being disturbed.
Can I take the sample myself and send it in?
We take samples ourselves so that the sampling method, the location and the chain of custody are properly recorded. That's what makes the result meaningful to a contractor or a solicitor later on.