What To Do If Water Is Leaking from Your Ceiling

Discovering you have water leaking from your ceiling is never a pleasant thing. There are several reasons it could be happening, including a plumbing issue, a leaky roof, or water coming from an appliance.

Whatever the source, a water leak is something you should never ignore. They don’t go away on their own and can likely cause expensive damage. Unchecked ceiling leaks can also lead to structural damage and mold growth.

In this article, we’ll educate you on the signs of water leaks and what steps to take can help you minimize the damage and costs of repair.

What Are the Signs and Causes of Water Leaks?

Water leaks might be as obvious as having puddles on the floor or as subtle as a rust-colored stain on the ceiling. It depends on the source of the leak, its severity, and whether the leak is currently active.

If you have an upstairs but your downstairs ceiling is leaking, it’s most likely a plumbing problem. If it’s a single-story home or water is leaking from the ceiling upstairs, you might have a leaky roof. Another source of ceiling leaks is from attic- or roof-mounted air conditioning units.

Regardless of how obvious or subtle it is, when you spot signs of a ceiling water leak, damage control is your top priority. When the water is dripping or pouring from your ceiling, you need to take action quickly. Here are some steps to help you when experiencing a leaking ceiling.

What To Do if You Have a Water Leak

Turn Off the Water Supply

If you can pinpoint the source of the leak, such as an upstairs toilet, bathtub drain, or washing machine, turn the water off close to that source. For leaks that can’t be stopped by shutting off the local water source, you must turn off the water to the entire house. Check the property inspection report for the location of the main shut-off valve.

Move or Cover Your Furniture

You need tarps or plastic to protect furniture that is too large and/or heavy to move out of striking distance of the water. If you don’t have these items handy, a vinyl tablecloth, shower curtain, or large trash bags can do in a pinch.

If the water is leaking directly onto the floor, clean it up quickly. Allowing the water to collect can cause damage to the flooring material. It can also lead to the growth of mold on and beneath the floor.

Create a Small Drainage Hole

Place a large bucket underneath the leak. Use a screwdriver or large nail to make a small hole in the ceiling. This prevents the water from building up and breaking through the ceiling due to the water pressure. Once the source of the leak is repaired, you can fix the damage to the ceiling. Clean up all the water on the floor, including any that splashes out of the bucket.

Determine the Source of the Leak

If it hasn’t been raining, you may be able to rule out a roof leak as the source of the water. Another way to pin down the cause is with the water meter test. To perform this test, turn off all the water in your home for about 30 minutes. To ensure no one is using water during the test, run it when no one else is at home. Check the flow indicator, or leak indicator, to determine if any water is being used. If there is, it’s a plumbing problem. If not, it’s probably coming from a damaged roof.

Examine the Roof

If you don’t have a plumbing leak, use a long ladder to examine the roof. If there is damage that is confined to a single area, you might be able to make the repair yourself. However, keep in mind that roof repairs take time and require an advanced level of skill.

If you aren’t comfortable climbing a ladder or making the repairs yourself, call a professional roofing contractor. They understand the layout of the roof and potential trouble areas that might cause more leaks in the future. You might find that your roof needs more attention than you initially thought. Getting a professional repair job now could prevent more expensive repairs after exposure to bad weather.

Call a Plumber

If water leaking from the ceiling is a plumbing issue, it isn’t a DIY job. Plumbing leaks occur in the walls and the ceiling. Water can also run from the primary source to any secondary source, making detection more difficult. The time you spend tracking down the cause of the leak could allow for more damage to occur.

Call a plumber for experienced and professional leak detection services. Because they work with all types of plumbing issues regularly, they can easily recognize the signs of different kinds of leaks.

In Conclusion

If you have a ceiling leak and need help with repairs, find a professional plumber you can trust. They will have the skills, tools, and experience to detect the source of your ceiling leak and make any needed repairs.