Short answer
Shut off the water first: close the valve behind the toilet or under the sink upstairs, or the main valve if you cannot find the source. If water is near a light or an outlet, turn off that circuit at the breaker, but only from a dry floor. Put a bucket under the drip, move the furniture and take photos. Then call a plumber to find and fix the leak.
Safety first
Never touch a light switch, fixture or outlet that is wet or near the drip. Turn off the breaker only if you can reach the panel on a dry floor; if not, call an electrician or the power company. Keep out from under a ceiling that sags with water: it can come down.
What to do when water comes through the ceiling
1Water is dripping through the ceiling
A stain spreads and water drips, sometimes right next to a light. The source is usually a toilet, a tub, a shower or a washer upstairs.
Read all the steps
- Water is dripping through the ceiling. A stain spreads and water drips, sometimes right next to a light. The source is usually a toilet, a tub, a shower or a washer upstairs.
- Shut off the water. Close the small valve behind the toilet or under the sink upstairs. If you cannot tell where it comes from, close the main water valve.
- Turn off the power to that area. If water is near a light or an outlet, switch off that breaker, only if the floor around the panel is dry. Never touch a wet fixture.
- Bucket under the drip, furniture out of the way. Catch the water and move what you can. If the ceiling sags and the power is off, a small hole at the lowest point lets it drain into the bucket.
- Take photos, then call a plumber. Photos help your insurance claim. The plumber finds the leak upstairs, and the ceiling needs to dry out within a day or two to prevent mold.
- Still not fixed? Call a plumber Especially if: water keeps coming through the ceiling after you shut off the fixture.
Plumbers near you
Share your location and we will show the nearest ones with their phone number.
Or pick your city:
Where the water usually comes from
- A toilet: the supply line, the tank or the wax ring under the base.
- A tub or shower: the drain, worn caulk or grout, or the valve inside the wall.
- The washing machine hoses or its drain.
- An upstairs water heater or AC unit whose condensate line overflows.
- If it only drips when it rains, it is probably a roof leak, not the plumbing.
What not to do
- Do not turn on the light under the leak to see better.
- Do not stand under a sagging ceiling, and do not poke it with the power on.
- Do not use the fixture upstairs again until it is repaired.
- Do not paint over the stain until the leak is fixed and the ceiling is fully dry.
When to call a plumber
- Water keeps coming through the ceiling after you shut off the fixture.
- The ceiling is sagging, cracked or soaked.
- Water reached a light fixture, an outlet or the electrical panel (call an electrician too).
- You cannot find the source upstairs.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if water is coming through my ceiling?
Shut off the water to the fixture upstairs, or the main valve. Then turn off the power to any light or outlet near the leak, from a dry spot, and catch the water with a bucket.
Is water coming through the ceiling an emergency?
Yes, especially near lights or if the ceiling sags. Shut off the water and use the "24/7 emergencies" filter on the list to find plumbers who answer now.
Should I poke a hole in a ceiling that is bulging with water?
Often yes, so the water comes out where you want it, but only with the power to that area off and a bucket underneath. Use a screwdriver at the lowest point and stand to the side.
Is it safe to use a light with water dripping from it?
No. Leave it off, do not touch the switch if it is wet and turn off the breaker from a dry spot. Have an electrician check the fixture before you use it again.
How long does a wet ceiling take to dry?
Usually a few days with fans and a dehumidifier, longer if the insulation is soaked. The EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold, so call a water damage company if it is a lot of water.
Will insurance cover water damage from an upstairs leak?
Sudden leaks, like a burst supply line, are often covered. Slow leaks that went on for months usually are not. Take photos and call your insurer early.
Sources
Checked October 24, 2026. Requirements and recommendations change: confirm them on the source site.