How to deal with water leaking from the ceiling

There’s no doubt that finding water leaking from the ceiling will give you an immediate panicked feeling. But help is at hand. In this guide, we look at the common causes of a leaky ceiling, how to fix a leak in the ceiling, and who you should call for help - a plumber or a roofer.

If you’ve come across water leaking from the ceiling, or water damage to your ceiling, keep reading to find out what to do next.

What are the main causes of water leaking from a ceiling?

There are several reasons why you might have water leaking from the ceiling, from a damaged roof to dodgy plumbing. Below are the top causes of a leaky ceiling in UK homes.

Common causes of a leaky ceiling

Here are some of the most common causes of water leaking from a ceiling:

• Damaged plumbing, such as rusted, worn, or burst pipework

• Roof damage can create gaps for water to seep through

• Blocked gutters can lead to overflowing water penetrating your home and leaking from the ceiling

• Faulty appliances like washing machines or dishwashers on the floor above can leak onto the ceiling surface below

How to fix a leak in the ceiling

If you find yourself with water leaking from the ceiling, here are the key steps to fixing the leak.

1. Find the source of the leak

In some cases, you might be able to see the source of the leak, although often it could be behind a wall or ceiling and not immediately obvious. If you think the leak is coming from the property above, contact them as soon as possible and contact your building manager too, if you have one.

2. Turn off your mains supply of water

As well as turning off the main water supply in your home, check all the connections for your appliances are properly sealed. You want to avoid any further leaking, if possible.

3. Contain the leaking water

Place a bucket or large bowl under the leak to prevent the leaking water from causing more damage.

4. Speak to your home insurance provider (if you have one)

If you have home insurance, contact them as soon as you can because they may send an expert to help you. Others will ask you to contact a local expert yourself and they will then need to provide a report to your insurance provider.

5. Contact a local expert

Unless you’re a trained plumber or experienced roofer, chances are you’re going to need to hire a professional to fix the leak itself. DIY fixes can be complicated and often don’t fully fix the problem, and sometimes they can make the leak even worse.

With leaks, the quicker you can react the better – before the water damage gets any worse. A leak repair expert should be able to quickly find the leak and then carry out the repair work.

6. Organise repair work for the water damage on the ceiling

Once you’ve found and fixed the leak, it’s time to repair the damage that the water will have caused to the ceiling. It’s often a good idea to hire a professional to carry out this work as they will make sure that the damaged area is completely dried out, repaired, and redecorated properly.

Who to call for water leaking in the ceiling

If you notice water leaking in your ceiling, you'll need to call a plumber or a roofer depending on the cause of the leak. It can be hard to work out which you need to call, as it isn't always obvious whether a leak is due to issues with your plumbing or your roof.

If you haven't had much rain lately then the issue is likely to be with your plumbing. On the other hand, if you spot that the issue is worse during particularly wet weather, the issue is likely to be with your roof.

Of course, this isn't a sure-fire way to tell, as water can often pool somewhere undetected before eventually finding its way through the ceiling. Plus, water won't always show up directly below the source of the leak - it can run down wall cavities and other internal parts of your home before appearing as a damp patch somewhere you least expect it.

However, the important thing is not to leave a leak alone if you spot one. Instead, call in a plumber or a roofer as soon as you notice it. They'll be able to confirm whether the leak is to do with your plumbing or roofing and if they can't help you fix the problem, you'll know who can!

Simply enter your postcode below to find a list of reliable professionals who are experienced in water leak detection.

How much does ceiling leak repair damage cost?

The cost of repairing the damage of a ceiling leak will depend on the severity of the leak and how much damage has been done. As a guide, here are some average figures for how much ceiling leak repair costs in the UK:

• Ceiling water damage repair cost – £1,400 - £1,700

• Ceiling replacement cost – £400 - £1,000

• Small patch and repair work – £150 - £200

Factors affecting ceiling leak repair damage costs

Several factors can affect how much your ceiling leak repair costs, including:

• The size of the ceiling

• The extent of the damage

• The type of ceiling

• The condition of the current ceiling

• If your home is a listed building

To find out more about costs, check out our guide to ceiling water damage repair costs. You may also want to take a look at our guides to ceiling repair costs and roof repair costs.