We bought our house 10 weeks ago and because of the cowboys who "renovated" we've incurred a small amount of water damage in the back bedroom on an artexed cealing. The insurnace contractor has to get out a specialist to test for asbestos. Is it correct that left alone artex/asbestos cealing finishes are safe or do they all have to come down using specialists. If so isn't that expensive? Or is the coating of PVA mentioned earlier sufficent?

Very, very confused and cheesed off of South Wales

I have just moved into a Victorian Villa. Totally cool pad but at some point in the last 20 years or more they have Artexed the ceilings in the attic rooms. I was alerted to the Asbestos content with the survey results (it was just the common garden survey, not the more expensive fancy dan version). So, having been an asbestos stripper in the past, I am aware that you JUST DON'T MESS WITH THIS STUFF not unless you are protected. I contacted the local environmental health officer who said that there is a GEL that you can use. It is called X-TEX and his advice was this. Put on disposable paper overalls, eye protection and an Asbestos RATED face mask (nose and mouth) and shower cap covering all my hair; then use this gel to paint over the Artex. It will turn it to liquid and you can then just scrape it off with minimal effort, putting it into a bag for Asbestos waste that you can get from your local tip. Don't overfill the bags, and tape them closed, then double bag them into another Asbestos waste bag and tape that too. (this rings true from my asbestos days when everything was double bagged). When you have finished (and check with the local tip how many bags you are allowed to dispose of) put your overalls, cap, mask, goggles, rags etc into an Asbestos waste bag, tape it, and double bag it as before. Wipe everything down with damp cloths, and double bag these; avoid using a vacuum cleaner as this will possible get contaminated and remain so, spreading this stuff all over the house. Put the cloths in a double bag as before. Dispose of everything at the local waste centre. Important points - everything that comes in contact with the artex must go. When thinking about asbestos in the home, think about where it can be and if you are not sure, use the internet to check any hunches. I have two room heaters that I discover have asbestos in them but having researched it and spoken again, I am confident that I can dispose of them responsibily without incurring any risks to me or my large family. Final serious point: we didn't always know that asbestos was dangerous but now we do, and with that knowledge comes responsibility. If anyone wants to just come into your home and hack it off, give them a wide berth. A young man I worked with used to lift off his mask and take a ciggy break when the air was think with asbestos dust from the stripping; I last saw him two years ago being pushed around in a wheelchair loosing his battle with asbestosis. TAKE CARE and be sensible.