Water Coming Through the Ceiling

Step One – You Discover the Leak

Your first priority when water is coming through the ceiling is to try and minimise the damage. So:

• Turn off your water supply to stop any more water flowing into your system.
• Find buckets, pans or washing bowls to place under the leak.
• Protect furniture, appliances, or flooring with plastic sheeting if you have any, or raincoats, umbrellas, anything you can find to stop further water soaking in.
• Check whether your electricity RCD (Residual Current Device) has switched off the electricity supply in your fuse box. Probably best to switch off the electricity to the affected rooms even if it hasn’t.

Step Two – Consider Possible Causes

The big question to consider with water coming through the ceiling is where it’s coming from. There are 3 possible options:

1. It’s rainwater coming through the roof – if you’ve had a lot of wet weather, it’s worth checking your loft or attic to find out if that’s where the water’s coming from.
2. It’s coming from another flat in your building – if you’ve traced the source of the leak and it seems to be coming from a flat above you, you’ll need to alert them and your building manager straight away.
3. It’s plumbing related – if you have a sagging ceiling, or you can trace the water directly from a source in the house, it’s likely to be your plumbing. If the water bubble is large, you should pierce it to stop the weight putting stress on the ceiling structure.

Step Three – Get Help or Call Your Insurance Company

There comes a point where you need expert help in order to go any further. If the problem is your roof, cover the hole and call a roofer. If it’s another flat, call the building manager. If you think it’s your plumbing, you’ll need to decide whether or not you’re going to claim on your insurance.

• You’re Claiming on Insurance. Call your insurer’s emergency number and take numerous photos. They will advise you on next steps.
• You’re Not Claiming on Insurance. Call in a plumber who can track down what the problem is and limit the potential damage.

Step Four – On The Other Side of the Crisis

The clear up may take a while, and your plumber may need to replace worn pipes, repair a faulty shower, or mend a leak. When you come out the other side, you’ll probably reflect that, if you don’t have one already, you need a plumber you can rely on in case of emergencies. Ask for some recommendations from friends and check out a plumber with a view to using them as a ‘go to’ when you have water coming through the ceiling, for example.