First things first – know that this is a dangerous situation! You are searching online about information on water leaks from light fixtures and I will be giving you that but right now – read the 3 things I’m listing below and immediately go and do them! Then you can come back and read more about this hazardous problem.

  • Turn off the circuit breaker for the light(s) where the water is coming from. Turning the light switch off will not turn the power to the light off and it may give you a shock.
  • Put down buckets, pots, towels, whatever you have to clean up the spilled water.
  • Call a professional plumber immediately! If you are in the Atlanta, Ga. area call us at 770-505-8570.
  • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM YOURSELF – YOU COULD BE ELECTROCUTED!

NOTE: Water is a conductor of electricity – if you touch water that is in contact with an electrical current – you WILL BE ELECTROCUTED.

Why Is Water Leaking From My Light?

The most common instances of water leaking from a light occur in ceiling lights. There are usually 2 main reasons that this would be happening:

  1. Water is leaking from your air conditioning unit in the attic.
  2. There is a problem in your water pipes such as a clog, burst pipes or an overflow issue.

The reason it’s leaking where it is has nothing to do with the light fixtures. It just happens to be the place where the leak is occurring.

Is Water Leaking Into A Light Fixture Dangerous?

YES – EXTREMELY!

As I said earlier in this article – water is a conductor of electricity. You’ve seen it in countless movies. Touch any pool of water that is being charged with an electrical current and you will be electrocuted! It’s a clean way to get rid of bad guys but I don’t want to see it happening to you.

Please follow the steps I listed at the top of this article as soon as you become aware of the problem.

Can Water In A Light Fixture Cause A Fire?

YES – the possibility of a fire ignited by an electrical short if light fixtures and/or electrical wiring comes in contact with water is not unusual.

The combination of water and electricity can also pose a fire risk. Even if a leak is small, water may find its way into light fixtures and other electrical wiring. In most cases, this will cause a harmless short, but it can sometimes result in sparks that provoke a deadly blaze. For this reason, homeowners should act quickly if they notice water in or around any lights or outlets. – AmericanLeakDetection.com

What You Can Do Before The Plumber Arrives

There are a few things that you can do before the plumber gets to your home.

  1. If the leak is on the first floor, go upstairs and see if you can determine if the leak is coming from an overflowing toilet or bathtub. If so, turn the water off to try to stop the leak.
  2. If you can’t identify where the excess water is coming from you should then turn off the main water supply to your home.
  3. If you think that the leak is coming from the attic – check that area and if your AC unit is in the attic – make sure to check the pan to make sure it’s not overflowing.

Again, we STRONGLY caution you NOT to handle this problem yourself. Call in a professional plumber to assess and fix the problem.

If you are in the Atlanta, Ga. area – Atlantis Plumbing is open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. We will fix the problem and make your home safe again for you and your family.

If you have any questions about water leaks in your home or property, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.