If water is leaking through your ceiling, keep clear of any light fittings or electrics it may reach, turn off the water at the stopcock if you can do so safely, and catch the water to limit damage. Then arrange for the source to be found, as ceiling leaks can have more than one cause.
Acting quickly can reduce damage to the ceiling, the flooring and the contents of the room below.
Put Safety First
Water and electricity together are dangerous. If water is dripping from or near a light fitting, keep clear, do not touch switches or fittings in that area and seek appropriate professional help.
If the ceiling is sagging, bulging or showing large cracks, keep people and pets out of the room below. A ceiling holding water can be heavy, so it is safer not to stand underneath it.
Try to Stop the Water
If the room above has a bathroom, kitchen or water tank, the leak may be coming from plumbing in that area. Stop using fittings above the leak and, if water keeps coming, turn off the stopcock if you can reach it safely.
Turning off the water does not always stop the drip straight away, as water already in the ceiling space may continue to come through for some time.
Some homes also have stored water in a loft tank, so water may continue for a while after the mains is off. If you are in a flat, the water may be coming from a neighbouring property, so it can help to let them know straight away.
Where the Water Might Be Coming From
A ceiling leak does not always mean a burst pipe. Possible sources include a leaking pipe or joint, a waste connection under a bath or shower, a fault with a toilet, worn sealant around a bath or shower tray, or water from outside the building. Water can also run along joists before it appears, so the drip may not be directly below the source.
Finding the true source matters before any repair is planned. Our water leak repair page explains how leaks inside a property are traced and repaired.
Limit the Damage While You Wait
It is best not to make holes in the ceiling yourself or climb into the loft or ceiling space to look for the leak, especially in the dark or near wiring.
Catch drips in a bucket, move furniture and belongings out of the way, and protect the floor with towels or sheets. Take photographs of the ceiling and any damage, as these can be useful for insurance purposes.
For leaks that need urgent attention, our page on emergency plumbing help explains the situations where getting help quickly makes sense.
If water is coming through your ceiling, a plumber can talk through what you are seeing and explain the next step.