My survey is back: how concerning is possible asbestos?

[FlatsAndCats]

For context, it's a ground floor flat built in the 1930s. The survey says this:

"A textured decorative coating covers the ceilings in the kitchen. This may contain small amounts of asbestos fibres and if disturbed, it could be a fire safety hazard. If the ceiling needs decorating or repairing, you will have to use an asbestos specialist."

Unless you plan to rip it out or it is damaged not an issue. You could have it tested to be certain if it even is asbestos.

Its ok as long as its not disturbed but like the surveyor says you hire in a specialist asbestos removal company if you want to remove it.

We had that, we'll still do, in our kitchen. We wanted a new roof and the joiner suggested the cheapest way would be to drop the ceiling and leave the original ceiling in tact.

I'm struggling to understand how asbestos fibres in the ceiling artex could possibly be a fire hazard as it was used because of its fire resistant properties. You could have the ceiling boarded over and skimmed if you do find it contains asbestos.

Exactly @WeAreTheHeroes asbestos is a very good fire retardent, which presumably is why it was mixed in with the artex. I wouldn't be concerned about artex as long as you are not disturbing it (and it tends to be old style artex that has asbestos in it) and I wouldn't count sticking a coat of paint on it as disturbing it either.

I commissioned an asbestos survey for my property. My artex didn’t have asbestos in it. Every house I’ve lived in has had asbestos in it. Asbestos was widely used for its fire resistant properties and white asbestos wasn’t banned until the 1990’s so a significant amount of houses will likely have asbestos in them somewhere.

Surveyors are ultra cautious. If you are worried get an asbestos specialist to test it

I meant to say every house I’ve lived in has had artex not asbestos!

Thanks everyone! This thread has been really reassuring! :)