Water Leaking Through the Ceiling? Do This Now

A townhouse in Cremorne that went from stain to sag

I was called as an emergency plumber to a townhouse in Cremorne where the upstairs bathroom had been leaking into the downstairs ceiling for months. The owners had a water stain spreading across the plaster ceiling and thought they could just paint over it. They said, "We thought we could just paint over it." By the time they called me, the plaster was sagging like a hammock. I pulled out my moisture meter, ran some leak detection, and found a hairline crack in the shower pan above. That small crack had been dumping water into the ceiling cavity every time someone showered.

A water stain on your ceiling is never just a paint job. Here's what to do.

What to do when you spot a ceiling leak

• Cut the water supply — if water is actively dripping, turn off the mains at the water meter out front. If you can't find it or operate it, call me and keep buckets under the drip.
• Turn off the electricity — if the leak is near any downlights, ceiling fans, or power points, go to the switchboard and turn off the relevant circuit. Water and electricity are a deadly combo. Don't enter the room if water's running over electrical fittings.
• Drain a bulging ceiling — if the ceiling is sagging, put on safety glasses, place a bucket underneath, and poke a small hole at the lowest point with a screwdriver. This prevents a collapse that could injure someone and destroy furniture.
• Contain the damage — move furniture and rugs out of the way. Lay towels on the floor to absorb splashes. Use a wet/dry vac if water's pooling.
• Call a plumber and document — take photos and videos before touching anything. Your insurer will want evidence. Then call me and describe where the leak is so I bring the right gear.

What's causing it

In older suburbs like Cremorne and Neutral Bay, the most common culprit is a leaking shower above — failed waterproofing or a cracked shower pan that bathroom renovations could have prevented. In coastal homes, it's often corroded copper pipes in the roof cavity from salt spray. In tree-filled suburbs, blocked gutters overflow and run back under the eaves. And sometimes it's just a roof leak from damaged tiles or flashing. I use thermal imaging and moisture meters to find the exact source without ripping open more ceiling than needed.

When to call me now

Call an emergency plumber immediately if water is actively flowing, the ceiling is bulging, water's near electrical fittings, or you can't find your shut-off valve. If the leak has stopped and it was a slow drip with no electrical risk, a same-day scheduled visit is fine.

I carry moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to locate the exact source without unnecessary demolition. Most ceiling leak repairs are completed within two hours of arrival. I serve all Northern Beaches suburbs from Cremorne to Neutral Bay.

Don't paint over it

A water stain keeps spreading until the leak is fixed. Painting over it is a temporary fix at best — the stain will bleed through again. Fix the plumbing first, let the ceiling dry completely (3–7 days), then use a stain-blocking primer before repainting. If the plaster is damaged, it needs to be cut out and replaced by a licensed plasterer.

I'll find and fix the leak. That's my job. I'll tell you upfront what it'll cost and when I'll be there. No pressure, no upsell.

Related reading

• What to Do If a Pipe Bursts (Step-by-Step)— If the source is a burst pipe in the ceiling cavity.
• How to Turn Off Your Water Mains in an Emergency— The first thing you should do when you see a ceiling leak.
• Signs You Need Emergency Plumbing Services— Know when a ceiling leak counts as a true emergency.
• Emergency Plumber Cost: What to Expect for After-Hours Callouts— What you will pay for after-hours ceiling leak repairs.
• What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?— Decide whether your ceiling leak needs an urgent callout.