Asbestos In Older Plaster & Artex: What 1960s Renovators Need To Know

Why Asbestos Was Added to Plaster in the 1960s

If you’re renovating a home built in the 1960s, 70s, or 80s anywhere across London and the South East, there’s something critical you need to know before you pick up that sledgehammer: your walls and ceilings could contain asbestos.

Asbestos in plaster 1960s homes was incredibly common. It wasn’t just used in roofing or insulation — it was mixed directly into plaster, textured coatings, and ceiling finishes throughout the post-war building boom. The reason? Asbestos fibres made plaster more durable, fire-resistant, and crack-resistant. Builders loved it. Homeowners had no idea it would become one of the most dangerous materials in their homes.

Between the 1950s and late 1990s, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used in thousands of properties across Greater London, Surrey, Kent, and the home counties. That textured ceiling in your hallway? The pebbledash finish in the bathroom? The smooth plaster skim coat in the bedroom? All potential sources of deadly asbestos fibres.

Where Asbestos Hides in 1960s Plasterwork

Knowing where to look is half the battle. Asbestos wasn’t used everywhere, but it shows up in specific finishes and applications that were trendy during certain decades.

1. Artex and Textured Ceiling Coatings

Artex — that swirled, stippled, or sculpted ceiling finish — is probably the most famous culprit. Popular from the 1960s through to the early 1990s, Artex and similar textured coatings often contained chrysotile (white asbestos) to add strength and flexibility.

If your ceiling has any kind of decorative texture — think swirls, stipples, or even popcorn finishes — and your house was built before 1999, assume it contains asbestos until proven otherwise. Scraping, sanding, or drilling into these surfaces can release fibres into the air.

2. Plaster Undercoats and Skim Coats

It wasn’t just decorative finishes. Some builders added asbestos fibres directly into standard plaster mixes used for undercoats and top coats on internal walls. This was especially common in properties built between 1960 and 1985.

The challenge here is that you can’t tell just by looking. A perfectly smooth, plain wall could still contain asbestos if it was plastered during this period.

3. Patching Compounds and Joint Fillers

Minor repairs and touch-ups throughout a property’s life could also introduce asbestos. Patching plaster, gap fillers, and jointing compounds used well into the 1980s commonly included asbestos to improve adhesion and durability.

If previous owners carried out DIY repairs using products from that era, you could have small pockets of asbestos in unexpected places.

4. Partition Walls and Insulation Boards

Many 1960s homes used asbestos insulation board (AIB) in partition walls, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and airing cupboards. These boards were often then skimmed with plaster, creating a hidden layer of high-risk material.

Demolishing or even drilling into these walls without proper precautions can be extremely dangerous. Homes built before the mid-1970s are particularly prone to containing these concealed asbestos boards.

The Health Risks of Disturbing Asbestos Plaster

Here’s the critical point: asbestos plaster isn’t dangerous when it’s sealed and undisturbed. The danger comes when you start renovating.

Sanding, drilling, chiselling, or demolishing asbestos-containing plaster releases microscopic fibres into the air. Once inhaled, these fibres lodge in your lungs and can cause:

• Mesothelioma – A fatal cancer of the lung lining with no cure
• Asbestosis – Permanent scarring of lung tissue leading to breathlessness
• Lung cancer – Especially if you’re a smoker
• Pleural thickening – Painful lung membrane damage

The terrifying reality? Symptoms can take 20 to 50 years to appear. You might feel fine today, but the damage is already done.

This is why DIY demolition of 1960s plasterwork is so risky. You could be exposing yourself, your family, and your neighbours to a substance that was banned in the UK in 1999 — but still exists in millions of homes.

How to Identify Asbestos in Your Plaster Before Renovating

The golden rule: never assume your plaster is safe. Visual identification alone isn’t enough — even experienced tradespeople can’t confirm asbestos content just by looking.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Check the age of your property Any home built or renovated between 1960 and 1999 is at risk. Even newer homes might contain asbestos if older materials were reused or stockpiled products were applied.
2. Look for textured finishes Artex, stipple, popcorn ceilings, and any patterned or sculpted plaster should raise immediate red flags.
3. Don’t disturb it before testing Resist the urge to scrape a sample or sand a corner. Disturbing potential asbestos releases fibres. Instead, call in professionals who can take samples safely using proper containment and PPE.
4. Get a professional asbestos survey A P402-accredited surveyor can inspect your property, take samples from suspected areas, and send them to a UKAS-approved laboratory for analysis. Results typically come back within a few days, giving you a clear picture of what you’re dealing with.

Professional sampling is affordable — and far cheaper than the health consequences of getting it wrong.

What To Do If Your Plaster Contains Asbestos

If testing confirms asbestos is present, you have three main options:

Leave it alone – If the plaster is in good condition and you’re not planning major works, you can leave it undisturbed. Just avoid drilling, sanding, or damaging it. Many homes across London live safely with asbestos as long as it’s sealed and stable.

Encapsulate it – Covering asbestos plaster with new plasterboard (without disturbing the original layer) is a common and safe approach. This creates a protective barrier and allows you to redecorate without exposure risk.

Remove it professionally – For major renovations — or if the plaster is damaged and crumbling — professional removal is the safest long-term solution. Licensed contractors use controlled environments, protective gear, and certified disposal methods to eliminate asbestos from your home completely.

Never attempt removal yourself. It’s illegal to dispose of asbestos through regular waste channels, and improper handling puts everyone at risk.

Protecting Your Family During 1960s Home Renovations

Renovating an older property should be exciting — not a health hazard. Whether you’re opening up a kitchen, removing a partition wall, or simply redecorating, taking the right precautions protects everyone involved.

Before any work begins:

• Assume asbestos is present until testing proves otherwise
• Avoid sanding, grinding, or dry-scraping any textured or older plaster
• Keep the area sealed off during any demolition or drilling work
• Use wet methods to minimise dust if minor disturbance is unavoidable
• Don’t use vacuum cleaners on suspected asbestos dust — standard filters won’t capture the fibres

Most importantly, never let unqualified tradespeople work on suspected asbestos materials. Even well-meaning builders can create dangerous exposure if they don’t understand the risks.

Your Next Steps for a Safe Renovation

The good news? With proper planning and professional help, you can renovate your 1960s home safely and confidently.

Start by getting clarity. If you’re planning any work that involves disturbing walls, ceilings, or plaster in a property built before 2000, a professional asbestos survey should be your first step — not your last thought.

At Advance Asbestos Removal, we’ve been helping London and Surrey homeowners safely navigate renovations since 1984. Our P402-accredited surveyors can test your plaster, provide clear reports, and — if asbestos is found — remove it safely using fully licensed methods.

If you’re based in Kingston & Teddington, our local licensed surveyors and removal team can help — see our Kingston & Teddington asbestos removal service for details.

Don’t let asbestos in plaster 1960s homes put your family at risk. A quick phone call now could save decades of worry later. For fast, professional asbestos surveys and safe removal. Your renovation project deserves to start on solid, safe ground.