A ceiling leak is the one that makes people go quiet.
It’s not like a dripping tap where you can shrug and deal with it tomorrow. It’s above your head.
If you’ve noticed a brown ring, bubbling paint, a damp patch that keeps growing, or (worst one) a soft “sag”…
don’t wait for it to finally give in. This guide is the safe, sensible sequence we use on real callouts around London.
If you’re seeing water spreading near lights or a smoke alarm, call 07727 154746 straight away — we’ll tell you what to switch off safely.
If water is close to any electrics, don’t mess around. Switch off the circuit if you know which one it is. If you’re unsure, call and we’ll guide you.
Put a bucket down, towels around it, and move anything valuable out of the splash area. If it’s actively dripping through plaster, it’s not “being dramatic” to take it seriously.
If you’ve got a stopcock and you can safely access it, shutting off water often stops the damage in minutes. If you don’t know where it is, don’t panic — we can talk you through typical locations.
Long CTA: If you’re stuck and it’s getting worse, call 07727 154746. Tell us if the water is near lights and whether it’s a drip or a steady flow — we’ll advise what to do next.
If you want the “first 5 minutes” checklist in one place, use: what to do if you have a water leak.
Ceiling leaks often lead to damp patches and mould later if not dried properly. Start at the main hub here: our London damp & leak detection pillar.
Baths, showers, wastes, trays, silicone that’s given up… these are classic. The annoying bit: water travels along joists, pipes, and plasterboard joints. The stain can show up a metre away from where it starts.
Older properties often have pipe runs that were boxed in years ago. A small weep can soak insulation and then suddenly “appear” one day when it finally finds a way through.
If boiler pressure keeps dropping, you might be dealing with a heating leak that’s not obvious. If you also have water around the boiler itself, this page helps: boiler leaking water from underneath.
If the damp patch grows after heavy rain or windy nights, the leak might be external. People often blame “condensation” because it’s winter — but weather-triggered damp is a clue.
In flats, ceiling leaks are often from the property above (bathroom, washing machine, or a pipe joint). You don’t have to guess — document it, take photos, and get it assessed quickly.
This one’s common in hallways under bathrooms. The patch looks “dry-ish” until someone showers. Usually it’s a waste/trap drip or a tray edge letting water out bit by bit. The ceiling stain is basically the messenger — not the criminal.
People swear it’s the roof… then you find it’s a heating pipe joint that only weeps under pressure/heat. If you want the basic hidden-leak checks first (meter, patterns, common spots), use: how to find hidden water leaks.
Ceiling leaks get expensive when they’re ignored. If it’s spreading, soft, dripping, or near electrics, call 07727 154746 and we’ll help you choose the safest next step.