Regulations · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Drilling into Artex: fitting downlights, alarms and fixings safely
Why drilling is different from painting
Painting leaves the coating intact. Drilling, cutting and screwing all break the surface and can release fibres from the dust if the coating contains asbestos. The amount released by a single small hole is low, which is why HSE classes this kind of work as low risk, but low risk is not the same as no precautions. Repeated drilling, cutting large holes or using power tools without dust control all increase exposure.
Test first or assume
You have two sensible options. You can have the coating sampled and analysed by an accredited laboratory, which usually costs around £30 to £80 per sample and takes a few working days. Or you can assume it contains asbestos and follow the precautions for asbestos work. Testing is usually worth it if you are planning several holes, fitting multiple downlights or doing other work on the ceiling later.
| Job | Number of holes | Usual approach |
|---|---|---|
| Single smoke alarm or light fitting | 1 to 3 | Assume asbestos and use dust-control methods, or test |
| Curtain track or pole on a ceiling | 4 to 10 | Test first |
| Several downlights | Large holes | Test first, or skim or overboard before fitting |
| Rewiring or major lighting changes | Many | Test, then decide whether to skim, overboard or remove |
Precautions for a small hole
These steps reflect the approach HSE describes for low-risk work on textured coatings. They are for occasional small jobs, not larger work.
- Keep other people and pets out of the room
- Wear a disposable FFP3 respirator and disposable overalls
- Put down a polythene sheet under the work area
- Lightly dampen the spot or cover it with shaving foam or gel to hold dust
- Drill slowly with a hand drill or low-speed setting, not a hammer action
- Hold a vacuum nozzle next to the bit, ideally a Class H vacuum
- Wipe the area with a damp cloth and bag all waste and wipes
- Seal the cut edges with paint or a sealer once finished
HSE publishes Asbestos Essentials task sheets for these jobs. Task sheet A28, for example, covers removing a small area of textured coating, around one square metre.
Downlights in Artex ceilings
Downlights need holes of 60mm to 90mm or more, and a room may need six to twelve of them. Cutting that many large holes through a coating that might contain asbestos creates far more dust than a single screw hole. Most electricians will ask for a test result before cutting, or recommend having the ceiling skimmed or overboarded first. Overboarding gives a fresh, flat surface to cut into, and it adds a layer of plasterboard over the coating, which keeps it sealed in.
Where a ceiling separates a flat from the one above, or forms part of a fire-separating floor, holes for downlights can reduce its fire resistance. Fire-rated downlights are commonly used in these situations, so ask the electrician which type is suitable.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Smoke alarms work best on the ceiling, so many people need to fix one through Artex. A single alarm needs only two small screw holes, which is minor work if done carefully. Some battery alarms can be fitted with a strong adhesive pad, which avoids drilling altogether, although you should check that the manufacturer allows this. In rented homes in England, landlords must fit a smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, so these fixings are a common reason for drilling.
When to stop and get advice
- The coating is flaking, crumbling or badly cracked
- You find a board behind the Artex that looks fibrous or soft rather than plaster
- The job involves cutting out more than a small area
- You need to chase cables across the ceiling
- There are children, pregnant people or anyone with a lung condition in the house
If the coating has been applied over an asbestos insulating board, which can occasionally happen in older garages, extensions and soffits, removal requires a licensed contractor.
Planning electrical work around Artex
If you are planning a rewire, new lighting or extra sockets, it pays to think about the ceilings early. Cables are often run through the ceiling void, and pulling them through can involve cutting access holes. Having the coating tested before the electrician starts, and booking the plastering for after the first fix of the wiring, avoids cutting into a freshly skimmed ceiling.
- Test the coating before the electrician quotes
- Agree the positions of downlights and fittings before any plastering
- Have the first fix wiring done, then skim or overboard
- Fit the downlights and fittings after the plaster has dried
Electrical work must also meet the Building Regulations. In England, some work, such as adding new circuits, must be notified to building control or done by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme, so ask your electrician to confirm what applies.
Frequently asked questions
Is it dangerous to drill one hole in Artex?
Drilling a single small hole in Artex is considered low risk, even if the coating contains asbestos, because the amount of material disturbed is very small. It should still be done carefully: dampen the spot, use a slow drill speed, hold a vacuum next to the bit, wear a disposable FFP3 mask and clean up with a damp cloth. Avoid making a habit of it without testing.
Do electricians refuse to work on Artex ceilings?
Many electricians will not cut holes for downlights or chase cables in a pre-2000 textured ceiling without a test result. That is a reasonable precaution rather than an excuse. Having the coating tested before booking the electrician, or skimming or overboarding the ceiling first, avoids delays and keeps everyone safe.
Can I use a hole saw on Artex?
Not without knowing what is in the coating. A hole saw cuts a large circle and creates more dust than a small drill bit, so test first or treat the job as asbestos work with proper dust control. For several downlights, skimming or overboarding before fitting is usually a better approach than cutting through the texture repeatedly.
drilling Artex downlights smoke alarms asbestos
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