If water leaks through your apartment ceiling, keep everyone away from any sagging or bulging area and avoid wet lights, switches, power points and appliances. If it is safe, isolate an accessible water supply, contain minor dripping beneath a stable ceiling and move belongings. Document the damage, notify the upstairs neighbour and contact the strata or building manager immediately.
Water can travel along pipes, concrete and framing, so the visible drip may not be directly below the source. If the leak follows rain rather than fixture use, follow a safe roof-leak response and arrange the appropriate inspection.
Immediate safety steps
Clear the area: Keep people and pets away from sagging, bulging, cracking or waterlogged plasterboard. Do not stand beneath it or puncture it.
Avoid electrical hazards: Do not touch wet electrical fittings, appliances or the switchboard. Turn off electricity only if the main switch is dry and safely accessible without approaching water. Otherwise, leave the area and arrange urgent professional help.
Isolate water when safe: If the source appears to be inside your apartment, turn off the affected fixture at its stop tap or turn off the apartment water supply if you know where the valve is and can reach it safely. Do not operate common-property valves, dismantle fittings or enter locked service areas. Plumbing investigation and repairs should be handled by a suitably licensed plumber.
Limit minor water damage: Only beneath a stable ceiling with no electrical or contamination risk, place a bucket under the drip, move belongings and dry wet floors to prevent slips.
Avoid contaminated water: If sewage may be present, keep clear and arrange urgent professional assistance. Do not touch or clean it yourself.
Record the damage: Once immediate hazards are controlled, document the leak with dated photos or video. Note when it began, changes in flow and affected belongings, but do not delay urgent action.
Who to contact
Contact the strata or building manager immediately and notify the upstairs neighbour if safe. Renters should also contact the landlord or property manager.
Report your apartment number, the leak location, when it started, whether the flow is changing and whether the ceiling or electrical fittings are affected. Mention whether it follows use of an upstairs shower, because signs that shower waterproofing may have failed can differ from a burst supply pipe. If a fixture or appliance is overflowing, ask the occupant to stop using it or isolate it safely. Do not attempt to diagnose or repair the fault.
Arrange urgent plumbing help if water continues, the source cannot be safely isolated or concealed plumbing may be involved. Strata or the relevant property contact may need to authorise access.
Call Triple Zero (000) for fire, smoke, sparking or an immediate threat to occupants. Leave the affected area if significant ceiling movement suggests collapse may be imminent. For other electrical hazards, keep clear and arrange an emergency electrician or assistance from the relevant electricity network operator.
If the leak cannot be isolated safely, contact the strata manager and our strata plumbing team for urgent investigation once access is authorised.