Water drips from a ceiling when something above it is leaking. The most common sources are a bathroom on the floor above, a supply or drain pipe running through the ceiling, an appliance like a washing machine or dishwasher upstairs, condensation from cold pipes, or a roof leak. Paying attention to when the drip happens can help narrow it down.
Clues From the Timing
If the drip starts after someone uses a shower, tub, or toilet upstairs, a drain or a seal is likely leaking. If it drips constantly, a pressurized supply line may be the source. If it appears only during or after rain, the roof or flashing may be the cause, which is a job for a roofer.
Bathroom Sources
Toilets can leak at the wax ring under the base. Showers and tubs can leak through cracked grout, missing caulk, or a worn drain seal. These leaks often get worse over time as the water damages the subfloor.
Appliance and Pipe Sources
Washing machine hoses can crack, and dishwasher connections can loosen. Supply lines in the ceiling can develop pinhole leaks. Cold water pipes can also sweat in humid weather, causing small drips along the pipe.
What to Do Now
- Put a bucket under the drip
- Move furniture and electronics away
- Keep people out from under a sagging ceiling
- Avoid wet light fixtures and switch off that circuit if you can do it safely
- In an apartment, tell your neighbor above and the super
Taking photos over a few days shows whether the stain is growing.
A dripping ceiling often means more water above than you can see. A plumber can track the drip back to the faulty part and check for hidden damage. After the ceiling is repaired, resealing the tub, toilet, or shower upstairs can prevent a repeat. Call JPR Plumbing at (833) 603-1840.