Ceiling water leaks
Stop water coming through your ceiling
Water leaks from your ceiling are often the result of broken pipes or a fault in the roof itself. The most common areas for ceiling leaks are below wet areas such as bathrooms and toilets.
Leaks in your ceiling are hard to miss, but can cause severe water damage to your home. They should always be investigated at the earliest opportunity.
Learn more about finding and fixing your leaking ceiling below.
Keep a dry roof over your head
Leaks don’t fix themselves. Just because it hasn’t yet started raining in your kitchen doesn’t mean the first signs of a problem should be ignored.
Ceiling and roof leaks are particularly difficult to diagnose and fix yourself, and often require the help of a trained professional.
Pass on the risks associated with loft ladders, mould, lead-based paint and asbestos to us. We can quickly and efficiently find and fix your leak, and repair any damage, in locations throughout the UK.
Ceiling water leak guide
- Signs of ceiling water damage
- How we trace ceiling water leaks
- What’s causing your ceiling leak?
- Ceiling water leak FAQs
The signs of ceiling water damage and damp
Not every water leak or burst pipe leads to a flash flood. Sometimes, the signs are more subtle and the symptoms escalate gradually over weeks, months or even years. Here’s a list of what to keep out for:
- Is water dripping or your ceiling sagging? Just the thought of dripping water is enough to keep some people up at night, let alone the sound of it. A dripping or sagging ceiling is a sign of water build up above, saturating and weakening the materials that support it. In these cases, the source of the leak can usually be traced by following flow of water and pattern of saturation.
- Can you see yellow water spots or signs of damp? Water isn’t good at hiding on a white ceiling. If you notice yellow or brown water spots or signs of damp, it can suggest a leak that has since dried and later spread again. Remember, ceilings don’t change colour on their own.
- Are there cracks in your paint or plaster? Paint can peel when exposed to water for a sustained period of time, while plaster will shrink and expand leading to cracks. By staying aware of simple changes to your walls and ceiling, you can act quickly and spare your property unnecessary damage.
How we trace ceiling leaks
We offer a fixed price trace and access service following the completion of a free visual inspection of your property. This visual inspection does not involve the use of any specialist leak detection equipment, but allows us to accurately gauge and price the work required.
Upon instruction to complete trace and access works, we will use one or a variety of the methods to locate the leak in your ceiling before providing you with a further option for its repair.
These methods include the use of tracer gas, thermal imaging and endoscopic cameras.
1. Call 0800 037 7078
Our trace and access services are approved by all UK insurance companies. Call us for free today to discuss your situation and book in a free visual inspection by one of our expert technicians.
2. We’ll inspect your leak for free
Upon booking, we will carry out a free visual inspection of your reported water leak to provide you with a structured price for the trace, access and repair. The visual inspection will not find your leak by itself.
3. Get a fixed price to find your leak
We know how frustrating it can be when a price changes throughout a job. The price we quote you for the work will be the price you pay. Plus, we’ll provide you with a detailed report to submit to your insurance company.
What’s causing my ceiling to leak?
Your ceiling is quite literally the roof over your head. A problem with it can severely impact your daily life and bring with it a very real risk of water damage to your home and belongings.
But, what causes your ever-reliable ceiling to suddenly start leaking? Here are some of the most common reasons:
Your toilet
A leaking toilet doesn’t have to mean leaking sewage. Most toilet leaks are caused by issues with the supply tank, although more serious leaks can be the result of worn out parts. Water that escapes when you flush can quickly run behind walls, down pipes and into your ceiling.
Your shower or bath
Bathrooms are prime suspects for being the cause of ceiling leaks due their usual position on a higher floor of a house. Plumbing of your shower may be hiding by wall tiles and plaster. If you see any changes in the appearance of your wall or floor surrounding your shower or bath, you may have a leak.
Your sink and supply hoses
Perhaps the most obvious place to look for a leak is below your kitchen or bathroom sink. At ground level, excess water may run into floorboards or the ground, but higher up, a leaking sink can quickly trickle into your ceiling. Look out for evidence of mould around your sink, damaged supply hoses and connectors that are looser than they should be.
Your roof
When your home’s main defence against the elements fails, a water damaged ceiling usually follows. If you’re noticing the common signs of water leaks on your ceiling which become more prominent during or after rain, your roof is probably to blame.
Roof leaks can occur due to holes, damaged tiles, unsealed skylights and vents and even because of external guttering. You may need to go outside to properly inspect any damage, hence the need to enlist the help of a specialist service.
Ceiling leak FAQs
Dealing with insurance companies can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re claiming for cover you’ve probably never needed before. We’ve included some of the most common questions regarding ceiling water leaks below.
Remember, if you still have a question, you can call us now on 0800 037 7078.
› What should I do if my ceiling is leaking?
Depending on the severity of the leak, you may wish to take action to protect your belongings and furniture from the water before contacting a dedicated leak detection company. You should then call a specialist for help who may ask you to describe the location of dripping water and the situation you’re dealing with.
› Can a ceiling collapse from a leak?
Excess water in your ceiling can cause pooling and place pressure on its structure. It’s not uncommon to see a ceiling sag and then eventually give way as a result of the weight of water above it.
› Should I puncture a sagging ceiling?
If your ceiling is sagging dropping to a leak, it’s sometimes a good idea to puncture the affected area to provide a route for the water to escape. Place a bucket and towels directly beneath the affected area and push a hole into your ceiling using a screwdriver. Ceilings are easily repaired, more serious damage to beams is not.
We find ceiling leaks throughout the UK
Water leaks can happen at any time and can go unnoticed for weeks, months or even years. Miracle Leak Detection offers an unrivalled five-star trace and access service across the UK.
Visit the links below to explore our most visited counties. including Hertfordshire, Surrey and London. You can also find us on Google.
Hertfordshire
Get your water leak found and fixed fast in all areas of Hertfordshire, from Bishops Stortford and St Albans, to Watford and Ware.
Surrey
We cover all areas in Surrey and south London, including Guildford, Epsom, Haslemere and more. View all of our Surrey locations below.
London
Need us to find your leak in London? We work throughout greater London and the suburbs, as well as deep within the heart of the city itself.
