Artex removal from walls. Is it really as hard to remove as everyone says? We have a wallpaper steamer.?

Question

Im told with a wallpaper steamer the job is messy. Dont mind the mess but is it a difficult thing to do to get "normal" walls back?

Answer 1

How can you steam and then scrape an artexed wall?? Is it not plaster??
Are people confusing artex with woodchip?

Answer 2

Skimming with plaster may cost more but it's the best solution. Older artex has asbestos fibres, the artex is often used to mask problem walls and scraping it off invariably leaves marks on the wall that will need filling. Bite the bullet and get it skimmed. (The have been ads on tv for a product you can use to smooth over artex but I haven't tried it)

Answer 3

Hi,
Well we've done it two ways before.
1. plaster over the artex which is quick but needs to be done professionally.
2. use your steamer, by leaving it in the room which needs stripping with doors and windows shut for a couple of hours, topping up water of course! and it should come off easy,
Although dont do the latter if you have chest problems for obvious reasons!!
They both worked for us!
Good luck!
Marie.
edit;
Hi, acotton, yes you can actually steam artex even though it is a plaster, it just gets a little messy, I agree that both artex and woodchip are 'pains' to get off!!

Answer 4

Yes it is messy, but artex contains asbestos, if you are unsure of it's age, then you must at least steam in, don't scrape it off dry and dusty.

If it does contain Asbestos you might contaminate the entire contents of your house and as the dust causes fatal mesotheliomas I would make sure it was wet. Bag it and take it to the council tip, and tell them it is Artex.

So use the steamer, let it soak and take your time, it is not a job you can rush. Just bag up the waste and use a mask if it gets dusty. If necessary, hack off back to the brickwork and get the walls re plastered, but it is expensive.

Answer 5

The best way to get wallpaper off a wall is to follow these steps: 1. Use a scoring tool (it looks like a pizza cutter with spikes) you can get one at any home hardware store for peanuts. 2. Run the tool every-which-way all over your wallpaper. 3. Fill a spray bottle with blue windshield washer fluid and spray this all over the wall. Wait 10 minutes. Sray a second time and wait 10 minutes. 4. Peel and scrape the paper off the wall. It comes off easily. Don't use fabric softener like some people will tell you to. It's slimy and hard to get off the walls after and if you want to paint, it'll keep the paint tape from sticking to the wall and your latex paint won't apply properly. Enjoy your new wall!

Answer 6

Re skim the walls and ceiling 5mx9m room ceilings and walls should be no more than £500...removing the Artex your just left with bad walls..and a lot of filling

Answer 7

best thing to do with artexed walls is get a plaster to scimm over the artex If it is really rough and spikey he wil sand it down first. After scimming lovely smooth walls and very little mess

Answer 8

Be aware of asbestos contamination. Get a sample taken prior to any works. Sanding is the best option but messy. If you have funds then get a price for the walls to be uni bonded and set No need to remove skirting's etc as setting is only a thin coat, this would be the best and quickest option.

Answer 9

To be honest - you are better of with a wide blade scraper and scraping the nobbly bits off and then skimming over the top to get a flat surface.

Steamer will work but it is really messy and takes ages.

A wide blade scraper with a razor edge (about £2.99 from a DIY store) will remove large areas really quickly - then just skim over and allow to dry - rub down a little and paint or paper

Answer 10

You can get removal tools. A long stick with a stiff metal scraper on the end. You'll need a plasterer to come and skim the walls to make it look decent.