Seeing water dripping out from where it isn’t supposed to, like a light fixture, is pretty alarming. A water leak from a light fixture not only is stressful but also confusing. After all, how could a fixture involving electricity be leaking water?
If this issue happens in your home, call a plumber immediately. Water and electricity should never mix and it can be a dangerous safety hazard, potentially leading to damaged fixtures or even electrical fires.
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Why Is Water Leaking From My Ceiling Light?
There are multiple reasons your ceiling light could be leaking water. Here are the top three common causes:
1. Your Roof Is Damaged
Perhaps the biggest reason your light fixture is leaking water is because your roof is damaged. Roof leaks can happen because of bad weather, like heavy precipitation and storms that inundate a roof with more water than it is capable of handling. They can also happen because of old age. If your roof hasn’t been properly maintained or is older, it is more prone to leaks. Similarly, critters and pests burrowing in your roof can cause holes or accelerate wear and tear, making leaks more likely to happen.
2. You’ve Got Broken Pipes
Another cause of a water leak is a broken pipe. Pipes are supposed to funnel water to and from where it needs to be, and when a pipe is broken, water can leak out, dripping into your roof or walls and potentially making its way out of your light fixtures.
3. A Duct Is Leaking
Similar to broken pipes, a leaky duct can cause water to drip out. This is more likely to happen if you live in a condo or two-story house. It very well could be that your upstairs neighbor is having water issues and the water is leaking into your own home.
How to Respond to a Water Leak From Your Light Fixture
The most important factor when it comes to responding to a water leak from your light fixture is promptness. Because the water is so close to the electricity wires, a leaky light fixture becomes a fire hazard and it needs immediate attention. Here are the steps to follow if you notice a water leak from a light fixture:
- Immediately turn off the power. This helps reduce the risk of electric shock or fires.
- Contain the leak. Put buckets underneath the light fixture or a towel if the leak isn’t that heavy.
- Identify the source. Look for evident signs of where the water is coming from. If you aren’t sure, it’s best to leave this step to a professional.
- Call the pros. After isolating the leak and turning off the power, immediately call a professional in your area to come check out the issue. Don’t try fixing the issue yourself, as this can be a safety hazard or can cause more damage to your home.
- Document the damage. Take pictures and notes of what happened. Include the day and time—you may need this documentation for insurance purposes.
- Move your valuables. Save other things in your home from reaching the same water-logged fate of a leak by moving them away from the area. This is also preemptively helpful because an HVAC tech will need the space to be clear when they begin assessing the situation.
- Ventilate the surrounding area. Last but not least, open up windows to ventilate the area. This helps prevent mold from forming.
How Dangerous is Water Leaking From Your Light Fixture?
There is no sugarcoating it: a water leak from a light fixture is pretty dangerous. Water and electricity should never mix, and when it does, it can lead to electrical shock, start an electrical fire, and cause severe property damage.
If you have a water leak near or from a light fixture, call a plumbing professional ASAP.
Electrical Fires
If water begins leaking from your roof or light fixture, chances are the leak has already existed before you began to see visible signs of it. Even if there is no evidence of a current leak, but just a water stain, that could also be indicative of an issue. This means that the electrical wires in your roof could already be deteriorating from the water it has been exposed to. Deteriorated electrical wires mean the electric current is no longer contained, and this poses a big risk for fires down the road.
Call Cleanup & Total Restoration Today If You Have Water Leaking From a Light Fixture
There is no time to waste if you notice water leaking from your light fixture or a water bubble forming close to it. Contact the pros at Cleanup & Total Restoration to help manage the situation. We’ll assess the issue and then help restore your property to its pre-water damage condition.
If you need emergency services, call our 24/7 emergency response hotline at (208) 268-6293.