Removing Artex.....

[GazLC81]

Ok so I have got a job to quote. Thing is the wall to tile on are all artex and then a good few coats of paint it would seem.

I have read that tiling on the artex is a no no (I figured as much) so how hard would this stuff be to remove?

I think she is expecting me to tile over it so worried I won't get the job.

All help appreciated
Gaz

 

[Fred]

It's a horrid job. I've used a grinder at a swallow angle to take it off before now, it's really the only way.

 

[GazLC81]

Oh great..... and it's an oldish house too so pretty sure it's going to contain asbestos.

Gaz

What would be the best solution here? Plaster over it?

 

[DHTiling]

Wall paper stripper is the easiest way to go, messy job which ever way method you use....dave..

 

[Fred]

Consult a plasterer, thats the best if your worried. He would advise re paint etc, sorry, know nothing about it myself.

 

[GazLC81]

Would a wall paper stripper still work through the many layers of paint? How long does it take?

Gaz

 

[Fred]

A very long time in my opinion.

 

[sc24]

best way wallpaper stripper, will come off eventually

 

[DHTiling]

Its will work but time consuming though..I think plastering is ok if all the customer was going to do was paint,but to hang tiles onto it , i don't think it will hold onto the the painted surface.....good luck what ever your decision is gaz.........dave..

 

[GazLC81]

Thanks Dave, going to ring her and be honest, I really need the work but I'm not willing to risk doing a dodgy job.

Cheers everyone.

Gaz

 

[DHTiling]

Best way to be gaz ( honest ) the customer will respect this....dave...

 

[Grace'sDad]

I removed all the artex from my 30s semi.
DONT use a wallpaper stripper, it makes a total mess.
Some pre 1980s Artex contains very small amounts of "heavy" asbestos, you can see it as small silvery specs in the dust. I have read that the levels of asbestos are not going to kill or do anywhere near as much damage as insulation / roofing / blue etc, and as it's heavy dust it can be vac'd up with a HEPA vac or dyson. (Disclaimer: I believed this and I may die from it in 20-30 years time so don't believe everything you read!)

Most of the artex I removed came off the underlying lining paper or plaster really easily using a jumbo scraper which you can get for about £6 - long handle with a big h/d razor blade on the end - works a treat!

For really tough areas including some of my ceilings I hired one of these babies:
[DLMURL="http://www.hss.com/g/5231/Drywall-Sander-Kit.html"]HSS Hire › Drywall Sanding Kit[/DLMURL]

If you go down the messy route make sure there are no kids or pets in the house. Wear a good mask FFP3 minimum and goggles. The dust gets everywhere so seal rooms and wear paper overalls.

This was before I learnt to plaster. Now I just scrape off the bumps with a clean trowel edge, couple of pva coats and skim away - easier and cleaner.

 

[devonmark]

as a plasterer..i'd say give it a good soaking and start scraping..wallpaper steamers as all ready mentioned work well. As dh says if painting knock off the highspots and re-skim, if tiling i'd scrape on a day rate...I wouldn't be confident of re-skimming and then tiling..although it does stick like the preverbial to a blanket..Mark.

 

[GazLC81]

Thanks for the help guys.

The guys said he would take it off himself as he has done it before and doesn't mind. (why not say that in the first place?)

Anyway I gave them a price for just tiling 7m2 in ceramics for £150 including adhesive and grout etc.

Not heard back yet so doesn't look like i'll be doing the job anyway! Not sure what price they were expecting.........

Gaz