Hair line crack in artex

gadget88

I have a hair line crack in my artex I had a few drops fall after a shower leak can this be painted over or is it not safe? 

gadget88

I will post a photo below 

D924

Dehumidify the hell out of it then prod it a bit and see if the whole lot comes crumbling down.

If it stays intact then you're probably OK... just don't have any more shower leaks!

twopenny

It looks like a flap needs,a careful touch of glue. 
I agree let it dry right out and paint.
If it's still there use some soft pollyfilla, scrape in and with a damp (not wet) brush, brush gently across side to side to smooth. Then when dry, paint.

Bigphil1474

Are you concerned if it's old artex and may contain asbestos, or that it might fall down? If the latter, I'd agree with the others. If the former, it doesn't look like it is friable so no big risk. Asbestos is dangerous if you breath in the fibres, but not from little chunks. I think a bit of filler and painted over would still work.

ThisIsWeird

Is it fully dried out, Gadget? 
It looks ok from the photos - only slightly raised edges around the cracks - but do check it hasn't loosened further, as said above.
Then what I would do it to brush SBR repeatedly over the cracks sideways, trying to force as much as possible into the cracks. Keep going as long as it is drawn in. If the raised edges soften as a result, then take the opportunity to press them back into place as much as possible using a blunt tool - even the handle end of the brush.
When you've got it as good as possible, use a damp cloth to wipe away excess from the Artex surface. Allow to fully dry.
For most of the cracks, they will largely disappear when you repaint - again brush it sideways over the crack to fill them in - and use a bit of filler for any obvious gaps. For filling, you can again use a paintbrush or damp cloth, wiping sideways, to level it off and blend it in.

(I'm about to do the exact same thing, for a similar reason - cistern leak - but on a flat ceiling. )