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!

Hi OP, sorry that I alarmed you with my comments about artex/asbestos! Don't worry too much, you can have it tested quite easily, either by a professional or with a self-testing kit. We had a similar problem a few years ago and I got a testing kit from a company called Bradley Environmental (I don't work for them, I promise!). The self-testing kit was cheaper than getting them out to test on site. It was quite easy and the test came back negative, in our case. Phew!

Also, if you have a survey, I thinkn the surveyor will usually look out for things that could be asbestos, and then you would have good grounds for arranging a laboratory test.

Why don't you just ask the owners?

In the nicest possible way, I hope you're never exposed to asbestos. there is barely any cure. nearly everyone with it dies from it.

I've already ended this thread saying i am making an offer and with that comes asbestos testing... why are you and another taking that so... personally? weird.

OP, people are trying to reassure you, not negate the seriousness of mesothelioma.

The likelihood of contracting mesothelioma from having having an intact, undisturbed artex ceiling must be tiny, possibly zero. Otherwise the incidence of mesothelioma would be massively higher than 1 per 100,000 people.

You don't even need a licence from HSE to remove artex, unlike other forms of asbestos removal, because it is deemed so low risk.

Thanks for the info, appreciated, but I've already looked into it. This will be my last comment, and yes, I'm contacting the council already as anyone should :)

Please do let us know what the council say.

Asbestos was used in many places in homes, not just artex on ceilings. I imagine few vendors would agree to chipping bits of ceilings, floorings or any other parts of their house for something that is common and safe if undisturbed.

That said, my old house did have tiles containing asbestos under the living room carpet and artex on the ceiling. We had a specialist removal company out to test and advise and they told us it was very common and safe (only contain a small amount that’s encapsulated in the tile, we’d have to smash them and inhale the dust to be at risk). We lived there for years but in the last few years I seem to have developed OCD with fears of contamination. The tiles, amongst other things, made me incredibly anxious despite knowing the previous owner lived in the house since he was 21 and he was still healthy when we met him at 80. Our neighbour had the same in her house, had also lived in it since her 20s and was a healthy 92 year old! However, after it started playing on my mind, we put the house on the market and moved. Bought a house with a wooden suspended floor downstairs and wallpapered ceilings much like in your pictures. I love my wooden house and would never go back.

Essentially, what I’m trying to say is, don’t expect the vendor to agree to the testing but I understand the fears. We can all tell you it’s common and safe, just like the specialists told me, but sometimes it can play on your mind and maybe you’d be best to try looking for a newer house that definitely won’t have any.

Sorry you were so anxious about asbestos @HighHeelsOnCobblestones . It is so easy to get fixated on something, despite being offered every reassurance. I'm glad you are happier in your home now.

It’s defo anaglypta I recognise the design 1960/70s, we had it all over the place I work. IWallpaper on the ceilings was often used in older houses to cover cracks. The ceiling may be fine under the paper but may need a lot of attention to fill the cracks. Judging by your questions you don’t appear to have much experience with decorating, maybe get a builder friend to check the house for you. They will be able to tell you if the decor is hiding a major project. It’s probably worth having a full survey done, not just the one carried out by the mortgage lender.

thanks, this was a sweet comment, unlike some rude people on here telling me i'm getting worked up over nothing. I have kids so they are my priority, not the vendor and certainly not MN commenters. i appreciate your time and hope you're feeling better and have the support you need.

Update: the EA informed us if the offer is agreed the vendor is open to asbestos testing for peace of mind :)

I wasn't rude to you OP.

I said that I thought you were getting worked up over nothing and explained why in an attempt to reassure you. In fact, you thanked me for my post.

But good news the vendors have are open to getting the anaglypta (or artex, whichever it is) tested for asbestos to ease your mind.