Artex asbestos ceilings and future work

[littleFinch]

We might have two ceilings with asbestos
If this is the case, it's been suggested that we skim or board them over. But how would we ever do future electrical work?

Is it best just to remove and be done with it?

I was told to just have it skimmed over.

@BlueandWhitePorcelain how does this work if you ever need to fix the electrics etc? Or it just a question of cross that bridge when you get to it?

It is usually much easier to lift a floorboard above.

@PigletJohn good point, I might be making a mountain out of a molehill here.

Also haven't had results back so definitely overthinking

You can buy an asbestos test kit from diy stores. Not all those popcorn and swirl patterns that are in old ceilings contain it. Once you know what you have, it may determine how you proceed. In my case, I am covering up lots of ceilings with the dreaded swirl as it doesn't have asbestos, but it is old and flaking. A total pain to remove it as dusty, and I don't really want it skimmed. I have white ceiling tiles going up so if I ever need to access the ceiling for water damage or electrical faults, the tiles are easy to replace. If you go down this route, buy a few extra boxes of them as they may not being made in the future.

We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. We haven’t had to do anything to the electrics in the house so far.

We've also just got a quote in for a rewire. I called them today to say I was waiting for the test results
They said they could reuse the current light fittings holes and come in through the floor boards and not disturb it. Does this sound right?

Yes, it's normal.

even if you did not have asbestos (which it appears you have not yet had confirmed) rewiring for a ceiling is never going to be done from below.
It will always be from above, either by lifting floorboards in the room above or going into the loft

Thanks all! Good point on how the rewire is actually done. The walls are all ok so this makes sense. I mean fingers crossed on the results but wanted to let the rewire people know it was a possibility.

We are asbestos free! What a relief. I know it was all workable but definitely feels a lot better.

Just a thick coating of artex which doesn't look all that glam.

I'd have them skimmed next time you're going to redecorate. It may be better value to have two rooms done in the same job.

But look carefully for any cracks or sags that the artex might have been intended to hide.