Whether you’re in a brand new home or an older home – seeing a wet spot or a downright leak in your downstairs ceiling just below your shower is very disturbing. The most common causes are the shower pan and/or a drain pipe.

Of course, if the leak is severe enough that you need to put a bucket on the floor to collect the water then immediately contact your local plumber. Here at Atlantis Plumbing we have taken care of many ceiling leaks successfully, and we’re available 24/7.

If you just happen to notice a wet spot on the ceiling, you may not feel that it’s an urgent matter but truth be told, that wet spot could quickly turn into a downpour any minute. You want to avoid further water damage so the sooner you can get the problem(s) fixed, the cheaper the project will be.

How To Determine Where The Leak Is Coming From?

While you wait for the plumber, you may want to try to identify where the leak is coming from.

  • If you notice that the leak is worse while the shower is on – the problem may be stemming from the faucet or the shower pan.
  • If the leak continues even after the shower is off, then the leak is probably coming from a water pipe.

Just a note about shower or bathtub leaks over a garage. If it happens that your shower or bathtub is located above your garage, you can cut costs by having the plumber cut the ceiling under those pipes and replacing it with a removable “door”. This cuts the cost of having to dig through the floor to get to the water pipes and if, for any reason, there is a future problem the access to the pipes is much easier.

What To Do If There’s A Water Leak In Your Ceiling

Whether the leak is just starting and hasn’t yet started to drip down or if it’s requiring a bucket or something larger to catch the water – follow the steps below to keep the damage down to a minimum.

  1. Call a plumber immediately. If you’re in the Atlanta area, call Atlantis Plumbers at 770-505-8570right away.
  2. Shut off the main water line. We know this is an inconvenience but it will pay off in lessening major water damage to your home.
  3. Place a plastic tarp under the leak (even if it’s not actively leaking).
  4. Place a bucket or something larger on top of the tarp under the leak (even if it’s not actively leaking).
  5. Our plumber will be there soon to fix the problem.

Can A Clogged Shower Drain Cause A Leak?

Normally, no. Clogged shower drains, in and of themselves would not cause a leak.

BUT – if the clog prevents water from flowing down the pipe and causes a backup of the water into the shower pan AND if the water in the shower pan gets high enough, then the answer could be YES because the overflow could easily find it’s way through a crack in the wall or tile and cause the leak.

Does Insurance Cover Shower Leaks?

Normally, leaks in a home are covered by homeowners insurance IF it’s a sudden onset and not a problem that has gradually gotten worse. But we urge you to check with your insurance agent and homeowners policy.


If you have any questions shower leaks, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.