Ceiling plaster falling is more than an inconvenience — in extreme cases, a large section of falling plaster can cause injury or significant damage. Take it seriously and act quickly.
Why Is My Ceiling Plaster Falling?
Several causes can lead to ceiling plaster failure:
- Water damage — a leaking roof, bathroom or pipe above; the most common cause
- Failed plaster keys — in old lime-on-lath ceilings, the plaster keys wear out over decades
- Vibration — from heavy traffic, trains, or structural work nearby
- Settling — gradual movement in the structure over time
- Age — Victorian lime plaster on lath has a finite lifespan
Is It Safe?
If plaster is actively falling or large sections are visibly sagging, keep the room clear and call a plasterer urgently. Do not walk under bulging or cracked ceiling plaster. If a water leak is involved, turn off the water supply at the stopcock and dry the area as fast as possible before the plaster softens further.
Ceiling Repair Costs
| Job scope | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small patch (under 0.5m²) | £100–£200 |
| Medium patch (0.5–2m²) | £200–£400 |
| Whole ceiling replaster | £300–£600 |
| Ceiling board and skim (new plasterboard) | £400–£800 |
Repair vs Replace Ceiling Plaster
For isolated damage, patching is fine. For old lime-on-lath ceilings where large areas are failing, the most practical solution is usually to fix new plasterboard over the old ceiling and skim it — faster, less disruptive and longer-lasting than trying to repair failing lath plaster.
Get Urgent Plastering Quotes
For urgent ceiling repairs, get up to 3 free quotes from local plasterers who can assess and quote quickly.