How to Trace a Leak in the Ceiling

Roof Leaks

• 1

  Pay attention to the ceiling when it rains or snows. If you only notice the leaks during adverse weather, this indicate that moisture on the roof is leaking into the attic or crawl space and is seeping through the ceiling.

• 2

  Inspect the attic or crawl space. Locate the spot where water is dripping down. If you notice a hole, stick a pencil or flag through to indicate from the outside where the roof needs to be patched.

• 3

  Check the seals around skylights. These windows often leak if they are not caulked or flashed properly. This is another common cause of ceiling leaks. Apply a fresh bead of caulk around the skylight to prevent more water from dripping down or fix the flashing if it was installed incorrectly.

Plumbing Leaks

• 4

  Observe the ceiling when someone runs water in the bathroom or flushes the toilet. This only applies to two-story homes that have upstairs bathrooms or homes that have plumbing pipes that are routed through the ceiling.

• 5

  Find the pipe that is leaking. Cut away a portion of the ceiling with a utility knife where the leak is occurring. Run the water in the upstairs bathroom again to help you find the leak.

• 6

  Tighten any loose pipe fittings with a pipe wrench. Twist the fittings clockwise to tighten them. If the leak continues, call a professional plumber to fix the pipe. Once the leak is fixed, repair the ceiling.