01In short
Water travels along pipes, joists and slabs before it shows up, so the stain is often not directly under the source. Most ceiling leaks come from the bathroom or kitchen above: a shower pan, a toilet seal, a supply line or an appliance hose. In apartment buildings, a shared riser can leak across several floors. Some leaks aren't plumbing at all: roofs, windows and facades leak during rain.
02Common signs
- Brown or yellow ring on the ceiling that grows
- Drips from the ceiling, a light fixture or a smoke detector
- Bubbling or sagging paint or drywall
- Leak that appears only when the shower above is used
- Leak that appears only during rain
03Possible causes
| When it leaks | Likely source | Who usually fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| When the shower above runs | Shower pan, tub drain, grout or caulk | Owner of the unit above, or the landlord |
| After the toilet above is flushed | Toilet seal (wax ring) or flange | Owner of the unit above, or the landlord |
| All the time | Supply pipe, valve or connector leak | Depends on the pipe: unit owner or building |
| On several floors in a vertical line | Riser or stack | Usually the building |
| Only during rain | Roof, window, terrace or facade | Building or roofer, not a plumber |
| Near the dishwasher or washing machine above | Appliance hose or drain | Owner of the appliance |
04What you can safely check
- When it leaks: always, after showers, after flushing, or only in rain
- Whether the unit above is aware and has water on the floor
- Whether the water is clean (supply) or dirty (drain)
- How fast the stain grows: mark its edge with a pencil
- Touch wet light fixtures or switches
- Poke a hole in a sagging ceiling while standing under it
- Wait it out: hidden leaks cause mold and structural damage
05When to call a plumber
- Water is still coming through after the fixture above is shut off
- The source can't be found
- The leak is on several floors
- The ceiling or wall has to be opened to repair a pipe
A plumber runs fixtures above one at a time, uses moisture meters or thermal imaging to trace the water, and opens the ceiling only where the leak is. See leak detection.
06By building type
- Apartments & co-ops
- Report to management immediately; they can reach the unit above and shut the riser.
- Condos
- Who pays depends on where the leak starts and on the condo declaration; the association and the owners' insurers usually sort out damage.
- Houses & brownstones
- Usually the bathroom or kitchen directly above, or a supply line in the floor.
07Local considerations
Renting in NYC? Building owners are generally responsible for plumbing repairs in rental apartments. Tell the super or managing agent; if repairs aren't made, you can contact 311. In co-ops and condos, the proprietary lease or declaration decides who fixes what.
08Frequently asked questions
Who pays for a leak from the apartment upstairs?
It depends on where the leak starts and on your lease, proprietary lease or condo declaration. Leaks from the upstairs unit's fixtures are often that owner's responsibility; leaks from risers are usually the building's. Insurance usually covers the damage.
Is it safe to stay in the room?
Stay away from wet electrical fixtures and from under a sagging ceiling. If water reaches the electrical panel or fixtures, leave the room and shut off power if you can do it safely.
Will the ceiling have to be opened?
Often a small opening is needed to repair the pipe and let the cavity dry. Leak detection keeps the opening as small as possible.
09Related
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Sources & review
Last reviewed . General information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and individual buildings differ.