What To Do When Water Is Leaking From Your Ceiling (2024)

There are two main reasons you could experience water leaking from ceilings: Either there is an issue with your plumbing, such as a damaged pipe or leaking shower. Or there is an issue with your roof, such as a hole or overflowing gutters.

Where and when your ceiling is leaking can offer good evidence as to the cause. For example, if your ceiling is leaking following a torrential downpour, that suggests there is a problem with the roofing, gutters, flashing or window seals. On the other hand, if water is spilling through the ceiling directly below an upstairs shower or toilet after use, then that’s where you’ll want to direct your attention.

In many cases, there are do-it-yourself solutions for how to fix ceiling leaks. However, if you can’t determine the root problem or feel the solution is beyond your skill level, you will want to call in a professional. This is why it’s important to at least have a sense of the root problem—because you will want to call a roofer for a roof issue or a plumber for a plumbing issue.

Often, ceiling leaks start off small, which should give you the opportunity to spot the problem, diagnose the issue and repair the ceiling before major damage is done. However, in catastrophic cases, ceiling damage may be more extreme and the ceiling may even be at risk of collapse. It is a safety hazard if your ceiling appears to be bulging, pieces of drywall are falling or you can hear the ceiling straining. In this case, it is likely best to clear the area and call out a professional for urgent service.

If it does not appear that your ceiling is at risk of collapse, you should be able to begin by addressing your ceiling leak on your own. Here’s how.

Catch the Water

When your ceiling is leaking, that can also damage what lies below—such as furniture and flooring. Move furniture and other items away from the splash zone under the leak. Then catch the water leaking from your ceiling by placing a gallon bucket or large bowl on top of towels directly underneath the leak. (Or leaks, if water is coming from multiple places.) Depending on the flow rate, you will need to empty the buckets or bowls regularly so they don’t overflow.

Control the Water Flow

If the leak is due to a plumbing problem, make water use in that area or fixture off-limits until you’ve handled the issue. If you aren’t able to identify the exact location of the plumbing issue and are dealing with a significant water flow, you can turn off your main water line and open a faucet on the lowest level of your house to drain water from the lines until the issue is resolved.

If the leak is due to a roofing issue, the weather is likely playing a part—and that is harder to control. If water is leaking from multiple spots, or appears to be pooling in your ceiling, use a sharp tool (such as a screwdriver) to create a hole in the ceiling. This will allow the water to flow out through one source rather than spreading out and potentially leading to more damage.

Repair the Source of the Leak

In lucky cases, the source of the leak is obvious—such as a hole in the roof or damage to the caulk that should seal off the bathtub. If you are able to pinpoint the problem and it is accessible to you, you may be able to repair the leak and move on.

If you aren’t able to clearly identify the source of the leak, you can begin to narrow down the options. First, assess whether it is an interior issue (like plumbing) or exterior issue (like roofing). Then start with the easiest repairs, such as reapplying caulk along the shower or tub or cleaning out the gutters.

If you’ve progressed through the repairs accessible to you and are still experiencing issues, you will need to call in a professional for assistance. Some repairs simply are not practical for the common household DIY-er, such as fixing cracked pipes within walls or repairing extensive roof damage.

Repair the Ceiling

Regardless of whether you need professional help or not to deal with the source of the leak, you will likely be on your own to repair the actual ceiling damage. (Alternatively, you can call in another professional like a general contractor or handyman.)

To repair the ceiling, you will first want to dry the water damage. For small leaks, you can use a fan pointed at the ceiling. If the damaged area is minor, you may then be able to patch the hole with spackle and repaint.

For larger leaks, you may need to cut away the damaged section to dry off the gap above your ceiling with a fan. Once everything is thoroughly dried, screw two-by-four-inch sections of wood onto the ceiling joists outlining the area of drywall that you need to patch. Then, measure and cut a piece of drywall to fit the area. With assistance, use drywall screws to screw the new drywall into the two-by-four-inch pieces. After the drywall is in place, texture and paint it to match the rest of the ceiling.