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Water Dripping From the Ceiling: What to Do in the First 10 Minutes

By Done Wright Plumbing · Updated 2026-11-05

Water coming through a ceiling means something above is leaking — and drywall holds water until it fails all at once.

First 10 minutes

  1. Move furniture and put a bucket under the drip.
  2. If the ceiling is bulging, poke a small hole in the lowest point to release the water in a controlled way.
  3. Turn off the water main if the drip is steady.
  4. Switch off electricity to that room if water is near fixtures.
  5. Call an emergency plumber.

Likely sources

A failed shower pan or toilet wax ring upstairs, a cracked supply line to a bathroom, a leaking water heater on an upper floor, or in winter a roof or flashing leak. If the drip only happens when someone showers, it is almost always the shower valve or pan.

How we fix it

Done Wright Plumbing uses electronic leak detection to find the source with the smallest opening possible, then performs water leak repair the same visit. Call (888) 809-6756 any time.

Related Services

Water Leak Repair

Water dripping from a ceiling, a warm spot on the floor, or a water bill that suddenly doubled — all signs of a hidden leak.

Emergency Plumber

When water is pouring through a ceiling or a sewer is backing up into the house, you need an emergency plumber in California who actually picks up the phone.

Leak Detection

Done Wright Plumbing uses acoustic listening devices, thermal imaging, tracer gas and pressure testing to find hidden leaks in California homes and businesses — behind walls, under slabs, in yards and pool lines — without tearing your property apart..

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