Have you just discovered water dripping out of your ceiling? Never fear, the water damage experts are here! We’re Cleaner Guys, a water damage restoration company with more than 70 years of combined experience in cleaning up leaks just like yours. Your Googling for “water leaking from ceiling apartment” and what to do can end here.
We’re going to cut right to the chase and break down exactly what you need to do right now to stop this leak and get it cleaned up. Let’s go!
Table of Contents
- The First 5 Steps to Do Right Now for Water Leaking From the Ceiling in an Apartment
- Top 5 Things to Do for How to Clean Up a Ceiling Leak
- Who Has to Pay for a Leaking Ceiling in an Apartment?
- Is a Leaking Ceiling An Emergency?
- Is a Leaking Ceiling Dangerous?
- Signs Your Ceiling Is Leaking in Your Apartment
- Why Is My Ceiling Leaking?
- More Resources
The First 5 Steps to Do Right Now for Water Leaking From the Ceiling in an Apartment
- Put a bucket under the leak to catch the water. Any other large container will work too.
- Move items and furniture that are getting wet. Cover anything you can’t move with plastic or a tarp.
- Call your landlord or management company immediately and alert them to the situation.
- Take many photos of the leak as it is happening, and anything it damaged, to show your landlord and insurance company.
- Contact your neighbor upstairs (because that’s probably where the water is coming from), and see if they are already aware of the water intrusion. If they are not, try to find the source of the water and shut it off.
Top 5 Things to Do for How to Clean Up a Leaking Ceiling
After you’ve done your best to mitigate the current emergency of water coming out of your ceiling, and your landlord and neighbor are aware of the trouble, then you can move on from stopping the damage to cleaning it up. These are our top 5 things you should do to start cleaning up the damage the leak has caused.
- Set up fans to dry the ceiling. This drying will not be enough (you will need a water damage restoration company), but it can get the drying started.
- Call your renter’s insurance company and catch them up on the situation, as well as all the damage your apartment and things have suffered.
- Call a water damage restoration company, or have your landlord call one. The inner cavities of the ceiling need to be professionally dried, and they should be professionally tested for mold (which can grow within 24 hours of a water intrusion).
- Turn off the electricity before attempting any cleaning, especially if the leak came through a light fixture. We don’t want you getting electrocuted!
- Do your best to clean and dry anything the leak dripped on, like the floor, countertops, furniture, etc.
Who Has to Pay for a Leaking Ceiling in an Apartment?
Depending on whose fault the leak is, the person who has to pay will be either the landlord or the tenant in the unit above you. Your neighbors will have to pay for the repairs if the water intrusion is their fault. Examples of tenant fault include causing a toilet to overflow, letting a sink overflow, or installing their own appliance and it subsequently leaking.
Your landlord or management company will be responsible for paying for the water damage repair if the leak was caused by something they neglected to fix, such as broken or old plumbing, a hole in the roof, or a faulty appliance that they installed.
A common cause of ceiling leaks in apartments is cracked or broken plumbing, which usually happens in winter, when the water in the pipes freezes and expands. But there are several easy ways to prevent those pipes from ever freezing in the first place! If you implement them, you don’t have to worry about dealing with water intrusion this winter from burst pipes. Discover our top 8 easy tips to prevent frozen pipes in this guide!
Is a Leaking Ceiling an Emergency?
Yes, a leaking ceiling should be treated as an urgent emergency. Water intrusion inside your ceiling can create pressure on the drywall, and even cause it to crack or collapse! It can also cause dangerous electrical problems, and mold growth that can make you sick. Follow all the steps earlier in this article to take care of a leaking apartment ceiling quickly!
Is a Leaking Ceiling Dangerous?
Yes, a leaking ceiling can absolutely be dangerous! The water will saturate and damage the drywall and framing, which can cause them to crack, buckle, and even collapse! Worse, water intrusion will cause mold growth within 24 hours, and mold can make you very sick. Use the steps outlined earlier in this article to stop and fix a leaking ceiling in an apartment fast!
Signs Your Ceiling is Leaking in Your Apartment
Signs that your ceiling is leaking, or that water is inside your ceiling, include brown or grey stains on the ceiling, sagging drywall, bubbling or peeling paint, musty odors, and mold. If you see any of these signs, call your landlord and a water damage restoration company right away! Water damage is very serious, and needs to be dealt with immediately.
Why is My Ceiling Leaking?
Common causes of a ceiling leaking water include an overflowed toilet or sink upstairs, a burst pipe inside the wall, or a leaking roof. There can be many other reasons that water is dripping from your ceiling, but those three are by far the most common! We have been professionally cleaning up water damage like leaking ceilings for more than 20 years, and that’s most of what we see.
The most important thing is to immediately identify the source of the leak, and shut off the water to it as fast as possible! Then, follow the rest of the steps in this guide.
More Resources
The Ultimate Guide to Dealing with Mold in an Apartment ➜
Is It Safe to Stay in an Apartment With Mold? ➜
Top 5 Ways to Prevent Mold in an Apartment ➜
If you need a water damage restoration company in Western Washington State, consider Cleaner Guys as a high-quality, well-trusted option! We’re proud to boast award-winning customer service, lower prices than others, and top-notch workmanship. Contact us today through the menu at the top of your screen!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. No part of this article is medical or legal advice, and may not be used as such. For all serious medical matters, consult your doctor. For all serious legal matters, consult your legal advisor. This article contains Cleaner Guys’ experience and opinions only.
