Water coming through the ceiling? What to do right now

Why water and ceilings are a bad mix

Water through a ceiling usually means a leak in the room above or in the pipes running under the floorboards. The plasterboard soaks it up until it can't hold any more, and then it finds a way out, normally through a light fitting or a crack, because that's the weakest point.

Two things make it urgent. First, water and your lighting circuit are now in the same place. Second, a ceiling holding water gets heavy, and a soaked ceiling can come down.

Step 1: Stop the water

Find your stopcock and turn it clockwise until it stops. It's usually under the kitchen sink, but it can be in a downstairs toilet, under the stairs or in the garage. If you can't find it, read our guide on finding your stopcock.

Then open the cold taps upstairs to drain what's left in the pipes. If you have a water tank in the loft, water in the tank can keep feeding the leak for a while, which is another reason to get a plumber out quickly.

Step 2: Make the electrics safe

If water is coming through a light fitting or anywhere near sockets, switch off at the fuse box, but only if the fuse box itself is dry and you're not standing in water. Don't touch the light switches in the wet room. If in any doubt, leave it and tell us on the phone.

Step 3: Protect the room

• Bucket, bowls or a bin under the drip.
• Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way.
• If the ceiling is sagging or bulging, keep everyone out from underneath it.
• Take photos and video now. Your insurer will want them.

What's usually causing it

In our experience, the usual suspects are:

• A failed seal round a bath or shower. Often a slow drip that suddenly gets worse.
• A leaking joint under the floorboards, on a radiator pipe or a toilet feed.
• A burst pipe, especially after a cold snap.
• An overflowing loft tank or a leaking hot water cylinder.
• A leaking toilet, either the cistern or the pan connection.

Finding the exact source often means lifting floorboards or removing a bath panel, which is a job for a plumber. Fixing the symptom without finding the cause just means the ceiling gets wet again next week.

When the plumber arrives

They'll trace the leak, make it safe, and repair it, usually on the same visit since most leaks need common fittings. If your ceiling needs replastering, that comes later, once everything has dried out properly.

Common questions

Will my ceiling collapse?

A ceiling holding a lot of water can come down, so if it's sagging or bulging keep everyone out from underneath it and call straight away.

Is it safe to turn the lights on?

No. Don't use switches in the affected room until an electrician or plumber has checked it. If water is near fittings, switch off at the fuse box if it's dry and safe to reach.

Will my home insurance cover it?

Most buildings policies cover sudden escape of water, but not wear and tear. Take photos before anything is moved and keep the plumber's invoice.