Advice · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Cracked or damaged Artex ceiling? Causes and what to do next
Common types of damage
| What you see | Likely cause | How urgent |
|---|---|---|
| Straight cracks in a grid or line | Movement at plasterboard joints | Cosmetic, fix when convenient |
| Fine hairline cracks across the pattern | Shrinkage, temperature changes or vibration | Cosmetic |
| Cracks around the edge of the ceiling | Normal movement between walls and ceiling | Cosmetic, coving can hide it |
| Brown or yellow stains | Water leak from a roof, bathroom or pipe | Find and fix the leak first |
| Bulging or sagging area | Water damage, loose boards or failed lath and plaster | Urgent, keep people out of the room |
| Flaking or crumbling coating | Damp, age or impact damage | Get it tested and assessed |
Why Artex ceilings crack along joints
Plasterboard ceilings are fixed to timber joists, and the joists move slightly with changes in temperature, moisture and load. When Artex was applied directly over board joints without scrim tape or a bonding layer, those joints often show as straight cracks over time. Heavy items stored in the loft, people walking in the loft and building work nearby can all make it worse. Cracks of this type are rarely a structural concern.
Cracks that appear soon after a loft conversion, new roof or heavy work upstairs are usually caused by the extra movement and tend to settle down once the work is finished.
Leaks and water damage
Water from a leaking roof, a bath or shower above or a burst pipe can soak through the ceiling, leaving stains, bubbling or, in the worst cases, a bulging ceiling. Turn off the water if the leak is from plumbing, and keep people out from under a bulging area, because wet plasterboard can give way. Once the leak is fixed and the ceiling has dried, stained but sound areas can be sealed with a stain-block primer, and damaged boards replaced.
Older lath and plaster ceilings
In older homes, Artex was sometimes applied over lath and plaster ceilings. Over time, the plaster can lose its grip on the timber laths, leading to sagging or bowing sections. Press gently with a flat hand: if the ceiling moves or sounds hollow over a wide area, have it inspected. Overboarding, which means fixing new plasterboard through to the joists, is often the safest fix because it supports the old ceiling and covers the coating without disturbing it.
Safe ways to repair damaged Artex
- Get the coating tested if it was applied before 2000 and has not been tested
- For hairline and joint cracks, skim the whole ceiling with scrim tape over the joints
- For edge cracks, consider fitting new coving to hide future movement
- For localised water damage, replace the damaged board and skim the ceiling to blend it in
- For sagging lath and plaster, overboard or replace the ceiling
- For flaking areas, seal and skim, or have the coating removed by trained operatives
Patching a single crack with filler rarely looks right on a textured ceiling, because the pattern is almost impossible to match. Skimming the whole ceiling gives a consistent finish and usually costs less than people expect, typically around £300 to £550 for a bedroom as a guide.
If a ceiling has partly collapsed
Keep everyone out of the room and close the door. If the coating could contain asbestos, do not sweep up or vacuum the debris with a household vacuum, as this spreads dust. HSE lists cleaning up debris after a ceiling collapse as low-risk work that can be done by trained non-licensed workers, but it still needs the right methods, equipment and waste disposal. Contact your home insurer as well, as sudden damage from a leak may be covered.
Preventing cracks coming back
- Avoid storing heavy items in the loft directly over ceilings that crack
- Board the loft properly if it is used for storage, fixing boards to the joists
- Fix plumbing leaks and roof problems promptly
- Ask for scrim tape over plasterboard joints when the ceiling is skimmed
- Allow new plaster to dry naturally rather than using heaters to rush it
- Fit coving to hide the natural movement line between ceiling and walls
Some movement is normal in every house, especially in the first year after building work or in homes with timber floors above. A well-prepared skim with taped joints is much less likely to crack than old Artex applied straight over the board joints.
Frequently asked questions
Are cracks in an Artex ceiling a sign of subsidence?
Rarely. Most cracks in Artex ceilings follow plasterboard joints and are caused by normal timber movement. Subsidence usually shows first as diagonal cracks in walls, especially around doors and windows, and doors or windows that start to stick. If ceiling cracks are widening quickly or come with wall cracks, get a surveyor or structural engineer to take a look.
Can I fill cracks in Artex myself?
You can fill and paint small cracks, but it is hard to match the texture and the cracks often return. Do not rake out or sand the cracks unless the coating has been tested, as that disturbs the material. A longer-lasting fix is to skim the whole ceiling, with scrim tape over the cracked joints, which gives a smooth finish and covers the coating.
Will my insurance pay for a ceiling damaged by a leak?
Many home insurance policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe or leaking appliance, and the repair to the ceiling may be included. Gradual leaks and wear and tear are often excluded. Take photos, stop the leak, and contact your insurer before arranging permanent repairs, as they may want to inspect or use their own contractors.
cracked ceiling repairs water damage lath and plaster
