If water is leaking from a light fixture, stay away from it and do not touch the light switch. Stop the water at its source if you can do so safely, keep everyone out of the room, and get both the leak and the wiring checked before using that light again.
Why It Is Dangerous
Water and electricity together can cause shocks, short circuits, and fires. Water from a leak above can collect inside the ceiling and run along wires until it drips out of the nearest opening, which is often a light fixture. The fixture, the switch, and the wet ceiling can all be hazards.
What to Do Right Away
- Keep people and pets out of the room
- Do not touch the fixture, the switch, or wet walls nearby
- Close the water valve for the fixture above, or the main valve
- Place a bucket under the drip only if you can do it without touching anything electrical
- If you see sparks, smoke, or smell burning, leave and call 911
A licensed electrician should check the wiring and fixture before the circuit is used again.
Finding the Source
Think about what is above the fixture. A bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room on the floor above is a common source. A toilet seal, a shower drain, a supply line, or a pipe in the ceiling can all leak downward. In top-floor rooms, the source may be the roof or an attic pipe.
After the Leak Is Stopped
The ceiling may need to be opened to dry out and to repair the pipe. Wet drywall can sag and fall, so do not stand under a bulging ceiling. Take photos for your records.
Once the area is safe, repairing the leak above the ceiling keeps it from happening again. For help figuring out which fixture upstairs is to blame, you can ask a plumber to find the source by calling (833) 603-1840.