What to Do When You Discover a Leak from the Ceiling

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A water stain on the ceiling may start as a faint yellow ring. It can also appear suddenly, with water dripping onto the floor. Either way, a leak from the ceiling should never be ignored. The water may damage drywall, flooring, furniture, or electrical fixtures.

What to Do When You Discover a Leak from the Ceiling

What to Do First

Before looking for the source, deal with the water you can see.

  • Move furniture, rugs, and other belongings away from the wet area.
  • Place a bucket under the drip and wipe up water from the floor.
  • Don’t touch a wet light fixture or ceiling fan. Turn off power to the area if you can do so safely.
  • If the ceiling is bulging, stay back. Wet drywall can give way without warning.

Where Is the Water Coming From?

A leak from the ceiling doesn’t always mean a pipe directly above it has broken. Water can travel along pipes, joists, or other surfaces before it becomes visible.

Possible sources include:

  • A leaking toilet, tub, shower, or sink upstairs
  • A damaged water supply or drainpipe
  • A leaking water heater located above the room
  • Rain entering through a damaged roof

Knowing where the water first appeared can help the plumber narrow down the cause.

Arrange a Plumbing Inspection

Even if the dripping stops, moisture may still remain above the ceiling. Top Notch Plumbing Services Inc. can locate the source and explain what needs to be repaired. Contact our team today for help with a leak from the ceiling in Statesville or the Lake Norman area.