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Water leaking through your lights? An electrician tells you what to do

It's a very common scenario right now.
Profile picture of Livia Gamble Writer

The last thing anyone needs is water leaking through their light fixtures. 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.”

water leaking through lights
(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

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. 

You might also like:

How to fix your leaking taps

How to seal a leaking downpipe

Profile picture of Livia Gamble
Writer Livia Gamble Senior Digital Content Producer

With a Bachelor’s degree in communications and over a decade of industry experience, Livia is a seasoned content producer and editor who has a knack for crafting articles brimming with helpful information you never knew you needed (but you do). She has covered various topics, from home decor and gardening to health and wellness, showcasing her versatility and expertise. Livia's writing has been featured in publications such as the lifestyle section of the Sydney Morning Herald. Additionally, she has worked as a content editor for various parenting and lifestyle brands, including Babyology and Essential Kids. When she isn’t reporting on ways to improve your home and garden, she can be found crocheting ponchos and attempting to master the perfect homemade pizza dough.

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