Guide: water damage
Water leaking from the ceiling? Protect the room first, then find the source.
Turn off power to that part of the house, catch the water, and work out whether it is coming from the roof or from a pipe or fixture above. Then call two people: whoever fixes the source (a roofer or a plumber) and a water damage restoration company to dry the ceiling, walls and floor. The drying is the part that cannot wait.
Connects you to an independent restoration company. Home Service Lab does not perform the work and does not set the price.
The first hour, in order
- Cut the power to that area. Water above a light fixture or near outlets is the dangerous part. Switch off those circuits at the breaker panel, from a dry spot.
- Catch the water and clear the room. Buckets, towels, and move furniture and electronics out from under the leak.
- Relieve a sagging ceiling, carefully. If the drywall is bulging with water, it can come down all at once. Stand to the side, put a bucket underneath and make a small hole at the lowest point so it drains in one place.
- Shut off the water if a pipe is the cause. If there is a bathroom or laundry above, or it is not raining, close the main water valve.
- Photograph everything, then call. Wide shots and close-ups before you clean up. Your insurer will ask for them.
Never stand under a bulging ceiling. Wet drywall is heavy and can drop without warning.
Roof or plumbing: how to tell.
A leak that only shows up while it is raining, or in the hours after, is usually the roof, flashing or gutters. Brown rings that grow after each storm point the same way. That is a job for a roofer.
A leak that runs when nobody upstairs is using water, or that started after a shower, toilet or washing machine ran, is usually plumbing. A water meter that keeps spinning with every tap off confirms it. That is a plumber.
Why the drying comes before the repair.
The EPA says drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours will, in most cases, keep mold from growing. Ceiling drywall and the insulation above it hold water for a long time, so a ceiling that looks dry from below can still be wet inside. A restoration company measures the moisture and dries it out, which is a different job from fixing the leak.
Before you call
Have these ready before you call.
The company on the other end will want to book someone to come out and look at the ceiling. These are the things that make that first call quick.
- Your address and ZIP code.The call is routed by ZIP, and the company needs the address to book an inspection.
- What happened, and roughly when.Where the water or smoke came from and how long it has been there decide what kind of job it is.
- Whether the source is stopped.If water is still coming in, say so first. That changes what they send and how soon.
- Your insurer and policy number, if you have them.Not required to book, but it saves a second call once the claim is open.
- When someone can be at the house.Nothing gets measured or quoted until a person has seen it, so have a time in mind.
Questions
Common questions
Who do I call for water coming through the ceiling?
Call whoever can stop the source, a roofer for a roof leak or a plumber for a pipe or fixture, and a water damage restoration company to dry out the ceiling and anything else that got wet. If you are not sure where it is coming from, start with the restoration company, because the drying is time-sensitive.
Is a ceiling leak an emergency?
Treat it as one if the ceiling is sagging, water is near light fixtures or outlets, or it is still coming in. A small stain that has stopped spreading can wait for a booked visit, but it should still be checked for moisture inside the ceiling.
Will homeowners insurance cover a ceiling leak?
It depends on your policy and on the cause. Sudden damage, like a burst pipe, is often treated differently from a slow leak or wear and tear. Photograph everything before cleanup and call your insurer to ask.
Being straight with you
We connect the call. We do not do the work.
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