Ceiling Leaking? Who to Call — Plumber, Roofer, or Restoration

The short answer

Call a plumber if the water appears while a fixture upstairs is running. Call a roofer if it appears during or after rain. Call a water damage restoration company once the water has stopped and the ceiling is still wet. That is the whole rule — the rest of this guide is how to tell which one you are looking at.

Call a plumber first if...

• The leak gets worse when water is being used upstairs — a shower, toilet or washing machine.
• It is not raining and the leak still appears, or it appears on dry days.
• The ceiling is below a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room.
• You suspect a burst pipe, a loose fitting or a faulty appliance.
• Your water bill jumped for no clear reason.

A plumber stops and fixes the leak — supply lines, drain lines, fixtures, water heaters. If you genuinely cannot tell, start with a plumber: they can rule plumbing in or out and point you to the right trade.

Call a roofer first if...

• The leak starts during or after rain, snowmelt or wind.
• The room is on the top floor or directly under the roof.
• You can see missing shingles, damaged flashing or clogged gutters from the ground.
• The stain appears near a chimney, skylight or roof vent.

A roofer finds the entry point and fixes the exterior water barrier — shingles, flashing, valleys and gutters. In Colorado, hail is the usual suspect: a hail-cracked shingle leaks the next time it rains.

Call a restoration company when...

• The water has stopped, but the drywall, insulation or framing is still wet.
• The leak ran for hours unnoticed.
• The water came from sewage or floodwater.
• Areas are still damp after two days of drying.

A restoration company dries the structure, removes what cannot be saved, prevents mold, and rebuilds the ceiling. That is our job — drying, drywall, texture and paint — after the plumber or roofer has stopped the source.

What to do before anyone arrives

Shut off the main water valve if the leak tracks with fixture use. Switch off the breaker for the room if water is near a ceiling light or fan — do not touch the switch with wet hands. Put a bucket under the drip and move furniture and electronics. Take photos of the stain, the drip and anything damaged below — your insurer and your adjuster will want them.

If you rent

Call your landlord or building manager first. The plumbing, roof and structure are theirs, and under most leases so is the repair. Document the damage with photos and report it in writing. If the leak is damaging your belongings, move them and keep receipts.