Water dripping through your ceiling or leaking from the flat above? Keep away from wet electrics, stop the water, tell your neighbour and call an emergency plumber.
By AJ, certified Gas Safe engineer and lead plumber at 247 Emergency Plumbers Edinburgh · Checked
If water is coming through your ceiling, keep away from wet light fittings and switches, and switch off the electricity at the consumer unit if water is near electrics and you can reach it safely. Turn off the water at your stopcock if the leak is from your own pipes. If it is coming from the flat above, tell your neighbour straight away, because they may not know. Then call an emergency plumber.
Water near electrics? Do not touch wet switches, sockets or light fittings. Switch off at the consumer unit only if you can reach it without standing in water. Water pouring in? Turn off the stopcock: find your stopcock →
What it could be and what to do
Water near lights or sockets Safety first
Likely cause: Water travels along joists and cables and often comes out through light fittings. West Lothian Council advises switching off the mains if water is near electrics, and not touching anything electrical that is wet.
What to do: Do not touch wet switches or fittings. Switch off at the consumer unit if you can reach it without standing in water, and get an electrician to check before switching back on.
Leak from your own pipes You may be able to fix this
Likely cause: A burst or leaking pipe, a tank, or a shower or bath seal in the room above you, often in your own loft or upstairs bathroom.
What to do: Turn off the water at your main stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink. Turn off the heating and hot water, then open the cold taps to drain the pipes. Catch the water with buckets and towels.
Leak from the flat above You may be able to fix this
Likely cause: In Edinburgh tenements and flats, the water is often coming from a neighbour's bathroom, kitchen or washing machine. Lemonade advises telling the neighbour straight away, as they may not know.
What to do: Knock or call your neighbour. If you rent, tell your landlord or letting agent in writing, with photos. If no one answers and it is getting worse, call an emergency plumber.
Ceiling sagging or bulging Engineer needed
Likely cause: Water collects above the plaster. A bulging ceiling can come down suddenly.
What to do: Keep everyone out from under it. Do not poke it unless you know it is safe. Call us, and tell your insurer.
Record it for insurance Good to know
Likely cause: Buildings insurance usually covers the ceiling, and contents insurance your belongings. Insurers will ask for evidence.
What to do: Take photos and video of the ceiling, the source and any damaged belongings, with dates, before you clear up.
Safe checks you can do first
These are the checks we suggest before a plumber arrives. Stop if anything feels unsafe.
Stop the water: use the small isolation valve on the pipe to the fitting if there is one, or the main stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink. Stopcock finder →
Electrics: keep away from anything wet and electrical. Get an electrician to check before switching back on.
Is it just you? Ask neighbours. No water or brown water in the whole street is usually Scottish Water: 0800 0778 778, free, 24 hours.
Contain it: buckets, towels and moving belongings limit the damage. In a flat, warn the neighbour below.
Photos: take photos and video before you clear up, for your insurer or landlord.
Need a plumber now? Call us any time.
Our callout is from £75 in standard hours (out of hours £100–£180) for attendance and diagnosis. Any repair and parts are agreed with you before work starts.
Our emergency line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Every property is different. This page is general guidance, not a diagnosis.
CLAIMING ON INSURANCE?
Trace and access, with a report for your insurer.
We find hidden leaks, open up only where needed, repair and make good, and give you a written report with photos and the cause. Insurer-referred jobs welcome.
What should I do if water is coming through my ceiling?
Keep away from wet electrics and switch off at the consumer unit if water is near lights or sockets and it is safe to reach. Turn off your stopcock if it is your pipes, tell the flat above if it is theirs, catch the water and call an emergency plumber on 0131 210 0505.
Is water coming through the ceiling an emergency?
Yes. Water near electrics is dangerous and a wet ceiling can collapse. Call an emergency plumber as soon as you have made the area safe.
Who is responsible for a leak from the flat above in Scotland?
Usually it is for the owner of the flat the water is coming from to fix their pipes or appliances, and their insurer may cover the damage. In tenements, some pipes are shared between owners. Tell your neighbour, your landlord if you rent, and your insurer. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
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