How much does ceiling water damage repair cost?

Ceilings not only separate floors in a house, but they also hide wiring, pipes, insulation and ventilation. They even provide a barrier to prevent fires from spreading from one floor to another.

Water damage can be more than cosmetic damage and can cause havoc in your home.

To help you budget for the work, we answer the question: how much does water damage ceiling repair cost in the UK?

How much does ceiling water damage repair cost?

The price you are quoted will typically cover all aspects of the repair, including an electrician.

The total cost you pay will vary depending on various factors, including the severity of the damage – more on this later.

The average cost to repair ceiling water damage is £1,550 (including electrician attending, moving light and fixing new plasterboard).

Labour cost to repair ceiling water damage

It’s often helpful to know how much you’ll be charged for labour to repair water damage to a ceiling.

On average, the labour cost to repair ceiling water damage in the UK is somewhere in the region of £150 - £200 per day.

The total water damage repair cost will depend on the size of the ceiling area affected, and the extent of the damage.

How much does it cost to fix water stains on the ceiling?

An experienced painter and decorator will be able to fix water stains on a ceiling.

They’ll need to use a water stain blocking agent as a primer, so that the water stains don’t show through the fresh paint.

The average cost to paint ceilings is around £10 to £20 per m².

Find out more in our guide to painter and decorator prices.

How much does it cost to repair a water damaged plaster ceiling?

When water damage on ceilings is bad, you might need to replaster the ceiling.

Here are some average costs to repair a water damaged plaster ceiling in the UK:

• 9m² – £275
• 15m² – £360
• 25m² – £575

For more information on prices, check out our guide on the cost of plastering a ceiling.

How much does kitchen ceiling repair cost?

When it comes to the cost of repairing water damage, the cost to repair a kitchen ceiling is similar to any other ceiling.

That means you’re looking at the following average costs for kitchen ceiling repair after water damage:

• Kitchen ceiling water damage repair – £1,400 - £1,700
• Kitchen ceiling replacement – £400 - £1,000
• Minor kitchen ceiling repairs – £150 - £200

How much does it cost to repair a ceiling in the UK?

It’s not only water damage that can lead you to need to repair your ceiling.

Here are some common average ceiling repair costs in the UK:

• Replace whole ceiling in a small box room – £500
• Replace a whole ceiling in a large room – £875
• Remedial simple repairs – £11
• Plaster a ceiling – £275 (small) to £725 (large)

You can find out more in our guide to ceiling repair costs.

Other water damage ceiling repair costs in the UK

There are a few other costs that you might want to budget for when dealing with water damage to ceilings.

Cost to repair leaking pipe in ceiling

In addition to the cost of repairing a water damaged ceiling, don’t forget that you’ll most likely need to repair the leaking pipe.

We often get asked questions like: how much do repairs for an upstairs shower leaking through the ceiling cost in the UK?

On average, the cost to repair a leaking pipe in the ceiling is around £220 to £440.

Find out more about water pipe repair costs.

Cost of ceiling repairs from water damage (patch repair)

While repairing a ceiling that has been damaged by water can be highly expensive if the issue is very small and minor, it may be possible to do a patch repair.

This will not work if you have a large leak or damage to internal electrics.

The average ceiling water damage repair cost for a small patch is £175.

Ceiling replacement cost

If your ceiling is old or has fallen into a state of disrepair, you may be required to replace the whole thing.

This is especially true if your ceiling also has water damage.

The average ceiling replacement cost is £700.

Factors affecting the cost of ceiling repairs from water damage

Your total ceiling repair cost will depend on a range of factors such as:

• Size of the ceiling area affected: The larger the area of water damaged ceiling, the more expensive it will be to repair
• Extent of damage: As you might expect, it will typically cost more to repair extensive damage compared to minor patch repairs
• Type of ceiling: Each type of ceiling will have a different repair cost
• Ceiling condition: For ceilings that are in poor condition it usually takes longer to repair and costs more
• If your home is a listed building: As with most home repairs, the cost to repair a water damaged ceiling in a listed building tends to be higher

Extra costs to repair ceiling water damage

Aside from ceiling water damage repair costs, you will need to budget for extras to ensure your ceiling looks and functions at its best. These include:

• Finishes: Such as plastering and painting
• Features: You will need to pay extra to restore any delicate features
• Repairs: It may be necessary to make extra repairs following water damage. For example, burst pipes and electrical connections will need to be fixed
• Asbestos: If this is found it will need to be properly disposed of at an extra cost. Please see our asbestos removal cost guide
• Disposal: If you are replacing large parts of your old ceiling, you will need to pay to dispose of the old materials, unless your tradesperson is willing to do this for you

How to repair water damaged ceilings

If you’ve noticed signs of water damage on a ceiling in your home, it’s important to act fast.

Not only does water damage on a ceiling look bad, but it can also pose a health risk – especially if the water is near any electricity.

To help you find the cause of the leak, limit damage, and fix it, we’ve put together this guide on how to repair water damaged ceilings.

Types of ceiling

There are a few different types of ceilings, so it’s important to know which type you have before starting repairs.

• Plasterboard: Most homes today will have plasterboard ceilings attached to ceiling joists and plastered over
• Lath and plaster: Older homes often have a ceiling constructed using thin lines of wood with a plaster mixture of water, sand, lime and even horsehair
• Suspended: Often found in commercial properties, suspended ceilings are typically used to hide pipes, wiring and ventilation tunnels

Common signs of water damage to ceilings

There are many ways a ceiling could be damaged as a result of a leak. Usually, water damage on ceilings is quite obvious and quick to notice.

Here are some of the most common signs of water damage to ceilings:

• Damaged or peeling paint
• Dripping ceiling
• Sagging or warped ceiling
• Water stains or discoloration
• Cracks

If you notice any of the above signs of water damage on your ceilings, it’s time to take action.

We recommend contacting local experts in water damage restoration near you, as soon as possible.

Find the best water damage restoration near me

Thankfully you’re in the best place to find experienced water damage restoration experts near you.

All our members must pass up to 12 rigorous checks and commit to upholding The Checkatrade Standard.

Enter your postcode in the box below and browse our online directory of quality tradespeople in your area.

Useful ceiling water damage repair checklist

• Deal with ceiling water damage as soon as possible to prevent further damage
• The cost to repair ceiling water damage can be high, but the sooner you fix the issue, the less expensive it will be
• It’s possible to patch repair small areas of water damage
• The size and severity of damage plus the type and condition of your ceiling will impact the total cost of water damage ceiling repairs
• Unless the problem is small and minor, it’s not a good idea to attempt to repair your ceiling yourself

FAQs

Can a water damaged ceiling be fixed?

Yes, the good news is that most water damaged ceilings can be fixed. However, in some cases, if the damage is really bad, the ceiling might need to be replaced.

Here’s a quick summary of what you need to do:

1. Find the source of the water and fix that before you repair any water damage
2. Dry out the ceiling completely
3. Depending on the extent of the damage, you can use a water stain blocking agent and repaint, or replaster the ceiling.

Can I repair a water damaged ceiling myself?

If you have a good level of DIY skills, you may be able to complete small patch repairs yourself.

For confident DIY enthusiasts, you can check out this DIY guide to fix your water damaged ceiling.

Larger, more complex repairs should be dealt with by a professional.

This means any work you take on yourself will likely not look as good as it would if it was done by a professional with years of experience.

Repairing a ceiling can be very manual and time-consuming, plus you risk damaging any original features if you don’t know what you are doing.

To reduce the risks involved, we would recommend hiring a professional.

To find a professional that we’ve checked and approved in your area, use our free search feature below.

How long does it take to repair a ceiling?

It can take less than a day, but this really depends on the severity and size of the damage.

How can I save money on my ceiling repair?

• If you are replacing large parts or all of your ceiling, you could consider taking it down yourself
• Once the ceiling has been plastered you could tackle any painting and decorating
• Ceiling repair kits are available for DIY enthusiasts – but you won’t usually be able to achieve professional results using a kit
• You could move your furniture and lay down protective sheeting yourself to reduce labour costs

How do I find specialists to repair flood damage near me?

If you’re looking for an expert in flood damage near you, you’re in the right place.

Pop your postcode in the search box below to browse approved tradespeople in your area.

You might also want to check out our guide on what to do if your house floods.