(Photography: Simon Whitbread)
The last thing anyone needs is water leaking in through their light fixture. But alas, with all of this wonderful (rainy) weather we’ve been having, it’s a very common scenario right now.
Water and electricity aren’t a great combination, so it’s crucial to know what to do if water does start dripping from your light bulbs.
Why your light fixture is suddenly leaking
Steve Magann, a recently retired electrician, says if water starts leaking through your light fitting while it’s raining, there’s most likely a water leak from the roof. “If not, there may be a water pipe leaking in the roof,” he says.
So why is the water leaking through your lights? Steve says, “Water will sit in the roof then find somewhere to escape, usually through the light fittings.”
What to do if water is leaking through your light fittings
Using any electrical switch or appliance that has come in contact with water is extremely dangerous. Water acts as a conductor of electricity, and that current will travel into anything that comes into contact with it – including humans.
So the first thing you need to do is turn the electricity off.
“Turning the light switch off isn’t enough because there is usually power still at the fitting,” says Steve.
“The safest option is to isolate the lights so that a qualified tradesman can rectify the problem.
“The way to do this is to turn off the circuit breaker or remove the fuse for the lights at the switchboard. The breakers will be marked, and only the light circuit needs to be turned off.”
Once the power is sorted you can grab some containers to catch the water while you work out the source of the leak. If it’s a plumbing leak, turn off the water. As for a leak in the roof, you can request the SES to come and tarp your roof as a temporary solution.
Unless you are confident at fixing leaking a leaking roof or pipe, it’s best to organise a professional tradesperson to come and fix the source of the leak – a plumber or a local roofing repair company – and an electrician to check out the light fittings.
Is water leaking through a light fixture an emergency?
Water and electricity are an extremely dangerous combination. Electrical shocks are serious, painful and potentially deadly. As recommended by the electrician, turn off your electricity if this occurs and call emergency services immediately if you notice smoke and water leaking through your lighting fixture.
Why is my shower leaking through the ceiling light?
If your shower is leaking through the ceiling lights, it could be from a range of reasons. It can be caused by damaged O-rings, washers or gaskets. When hair, soap or other debris clog a shower drain, the water can’t go down the drain.
Can water dripping from a light cause a fire?
Yes, water in light fixtures can start a fire.
Why is there water in my light bulb?
There are a few reasons why this may be – if it is raining and you have a leak in the roof, it can result in water seeping into your lights, or if you have a broken water pipe in the ceiling.
