Roof Leaking Through Ceiling Light

Water acts as a conduit for electricity and it s possible to suffer a damaging and potentially deadly shock when water is in an electrical fixture.

Roof leaking through ceiling light.

To find the source of a roof leak. During installation each skylight essentially creates a big hole in an otherwise uniform roof surface. This is not common but it sometimes occurs if you have older metal pipes that have corroded. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak.

Confirm that the electricity is off by testing. A roof leak is always a cause for concern. When there is water leaking from a light fixture in the ceiling you either have a roof leak or plumbing leak that needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Many things can cause water to leak through a ceiling and into a light fixture.

Reasons for a roof leak on an external overhang. Water pipe leaks. Often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures. The water damage from a roof leak can extend well past the location of the leak.

If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic. In most cases you can see paint peeling off discolored or bubbling wood components to rot and getting water all over your stuff in the attic when leaks are present. Fire sprinkler pipes age and begin to leak. Look in the attic with a flashlight for evidence like water stains trhen trace them up the roof and rafters to the entry point.

Where ceiling leaking appears to be occurring in areas where there are no plumbing fixtures directly above there is a possibility that a water supply pipe or drain pipe inside a ceiling cavity has developed a leak. Even touching a light switch for your ceiling light may result in a shock. However these are the most common problems we see in the field. Damage to your attic and ceiling the first sections of your home that would be affected when your roof leaks are those that are directly in its path which is usually the ceiling or attic.

Some roof leaks are tough to locate. No matter how well your skylights were installed it is still possible for them to leak during heavy rains. Both are definitely problems but right now you have an even more urgent one because a leak near a light fixture is a serious electrical hazard. If the leak isn t obvious have a helper watch in the attic while you get on the roof with a garden hose.

Especially as your home ages a bit. Skylight leaks in heavy rain are a common source for roof leaks. An upstairs bathroom develops plumbing problems. The biggest danger of experiencing water leaking from a ceiling light fixture is experiencing an electric shock.

The ac drip pan becomes clogged and overflows.