A water leak of any kind in the home can understandably bring on a mild panic attack. This is because water leaks are an immediate sign that something is faulty and further damage is almost certainly on the way. It is often difficult to determine what the source of the problem is and for many of us, the will and expertise to inspect accurately is lacking. Water leaks from the ceiling in particular are very concerning because the extent and duration of leakage before chaos follows is unknown. Time is of the essence and your immediate reaction can save you money and help protect priceless belongings and restore order to your home.
- Consider the following as immediate actions to minimise damage and disruption from a ceiling leak: Switch off your main water supply as a first cautionary step (if you weren’t aware of its location before, now is a good time to find out as a proactive step)
- Be alert to where the leak leads – Any water close to electrical points or electronic goods is an obvious risk.
- Turn off the electricity mains to be safe. If your ceiling leak has reached the point of rapid dripping to the ground, position a bucket under the leak.
If your ceiling is already bulging/bowed, it is a sign that there may already be a huge amount of water in it. Be sure to approach this with caution to avoid a ceiling collapse while inspecting. Move any belongings at risk of becoming wet and damaged to a safe, dry area. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report a claim Have a look at the water from the ceiling to get some indication of what the cause could be. If the water seems to be fresh, it is very likely that you have a plumbing problem on your hands. If the water is dirty or stains the ceiling in a short period of time, the source is likely to be a leak in the roof. Regardless of the cause, you need to take action fast and need professional, swift assistance to deal with the problem ASAP.