Water Dripping From Ceiling: What to Do Right Now
Seeing water drip from a ceiling is alarming — and it should be. Water weighs over eight pounds per gallon, and a saturated ceiling can collapse. Here is what to do in order.
Step 1: Contain the water
Place a bucket under the drip. If the drywall is bulging, poke a small hole in the center of the bulge with a screwdriver to release the water in a controlled way rather than letting the ceiling sag and fall.
Step 2: Shut off the water
If the leak is below a bathroom or kitchen, shut off the main water valve. If the drip stops within a few minutes, you have a supply line leak. If it continues, it may be a drain leak (which only drips when a fixture is used) or a roof leak.
Step 3: Kill power to the area
Water and electricity do not mix. Turn off the breaker for any lights or outlets near the leak.
Common plumbing causes
- Failed wax ring under an upstairs toilet
- Cracked shower pan or failed tub drain
- Pinhole leak in a copper supply line
- Burst or frozen pipe in winter — see burst pipe repair
- Leaking water heater on an upper floor
Step 4: Call for leak detection
A Good Plumber's leak detection team pinpoints the source with thermal imaging and acoustic equipment so only the smallest area needs to be opened. For active leaks we dispatch an emergency plumber 24/7 across Indiana — Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville and beyond.