What is this on the ceilings??

[worriedftb]

Hi all, I went to a viewing and this stuff is all over the ceilings, in every room, upstairs and downstairs. Does anyone know what this stuff is, and how would I get rid of it if i bought the property?
To me, it looks like wallpaper... on the ceilings 😐

I've also added another photo - there is what looks like a box-like shape on the ceiling of the downstairs reception rooms (not upstairs) - circled in red. This is above the fireplace/chimney areas (both receptions rooms only). It looks like someone did a plastering job around the box border and painted over too, but no idea what could be causing this?

Also, does the electric board look "modern". Any electricians out there? 🙏

Thank you very much for taking a look!

It's not artex, it's agaglypta.

I have anaglypta on all my ceilings, the tiniest pattern available and coving, I like it. No one notices it but it’s there because in my modern house the ceilings had hairline cracks on the plasterboard joints, you could fill them but movement caused them to come back.

You could consider getting a home buyers report instead of full structural survey and supplement with specialist damp and electrical reports.

Further advice here: www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/homes/buying-a-home/a-guide-to-homebuyer-surveys-and-costs

I'm so nervous about asbestos now!! :(

yep my ceilings have paper on

You used to be able to buy plain white paper for ceilings that was actually called “ceiling paper”. My parents put it up in their house. I guess it fell out of fashion.

Thanks everyone telling me it's probably a fashion thing, and sounds like the trend is returning (I clearly do not follow trends haha!). I am a bit nervous it is artex though, with asbestos as a worry especially with the thought of children!

Asbestos is only a concern if you intend to disturb it.

I want to get rid of the stuff on the ceiling. I don't like it at all, plus, if there was a crack of subsidence that would disturb it :(

My ceiling has wallpaper on it, although it’s not textured. It’s not hiding anything, just gives a smooth line in an old house.

Ok, so now I'm research artex vs. agaglypta vs. wallpaper 😅

When we were at the viewing, it looked like wallpaper because we could see the edges between the sheets, if that makes sense, the way wallpaper would appear on walls.

I think artex is textured paint, right?

And agaglypta is like a textured wallpaper.

I read that depending on the age, both could potentially have asbestos.

Might be an idea to get a specialist in to confirm either way then. Or look into a new build which of course may have different issues.

It's not artex. It's anaglypta. Artex looks like someone made patterns in thick paint.

I'm leaning towards thinking it's artex.
Thanks to all those who suggested testing it!

Any idea where to find an asbestos tester/professional? I don't want to go near it myself until I'm told it's safe :(

Not trying to hide damp (it would peel off) but uneven plasterwork. It was all the rage at one point.

sorry, I meant, I think it's anaglypta!!
Why do they both begin with 'a'!!

My dad was a time served decorator for 51 years, I’m pretty certain it’s Anaglypta or blown vinyl. Both are just textured wall paper, personally if it’s a bit rough, strip it off and either skim your ceilings or replace it with a professionally fitted one with a more attractive tiny pattern.

I think you are getting yourself worked up over nothing.

It is almost definitely anaglypta.

Even if it is artex, it is not a big deal. Loads of houses still have it. The amount of asbestos in artex is small, plus it will be White Asbestos which I think is said to be the least dangerous form.

Papered ceilings are still the norm in older houses, including mine.

I know for a fact through my doctor cousin that all it takes is a minuscule amount of asbestos to give you mesothelioma (the lung cancer it causes). Asbestos is very serious, so if a small amount would hurt adult lungs, that equivalent would be detrimental to a baby's or child's lungs. mesothelioma also takes about 20 years to appear too

Hi all, thank you for your responses. I had no idea about the asbestos information. You've all been so helpful and given me some good pointers. If we have an offer accepted, we'll arrange an asbestos test! As far as I know, seller legally have to make asbestos apparent to buyers but they may not be aware. I more concerned about my and children's health so that will be arranged. I'll keep you updated... take care!

The venders might not want to agree to an asbestos test though as at the moment they probably don't know whether it is present or not, like lots of people with artex ceilings.

If they don't agree, then I'll have to raise concerns with the local council. And I won't take the property with a potential cancer-causing agent in every room that children cannot escape from.

What would the council do?

I am not trying to be mean OP. I am trying to say you are being overly anxious over this and you honestly don't need to be, especially as you don't even know what is actually on the ceilings yet. You are giving yourself unnecessary stress!

Even if it is artex, the risk is very low unless you start sanding it and breathing in the dust or something like that.

In the nicest possible way, get a grip. It's wallpaper. It's pretty normal to have wallpaper on a ceiling.

The vendors are not trying to kill you with hidden asbestos.

This is why you avoid first time buyers.