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uk Home & property emergencies bathroom extractor fan dripping • vent dripping water • water from ceiling fan grille • condensation in extractor duct • hidden condensation in loft duct • suspected bathroom ceiling leak • water near bathroom electrics • moisture dripping after shower • dripping only when fan on • dripping only when fan off • humid bathroom causing drip • ceiling vent leaking water • extractor duct sagging water • extractor fan backdraft damper • landlord urgent leak repair • stopcock turn off water • consumer unit isolate circuit • bathroom ceiling damp patch • hidden leak above bathroom

What to do if…
a bathroom extractor fan or vent starts dripping water and you suspect hidden condensation or a leak

Short answer

Treat it as a water-and-electricity risk: stop using the fan, keep water away from the fitting, and isolate the bathroom fan/lighting circuit if anything is wet or dripping onto electrics.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep running the fan “to dry it out” if water is dripping from it or the surrounding ceiling.
  • Don’t touch the fan, light fitting, switches, or the grille with wet hands, or while standing on a wet floor.
  • Don’t open the fan housing or ceiling void while water is active — you can worsen a leak or disturb wiring.
  • Don’t ignore a bulging/soft ceiling around the fan (it can suddenly release water).
  • Don’t patch/paint over damp staining yet.

What to do now

  1. Make the area safe. Put a bucket/towels under the drip. Dry the floor to prevent slips and keep people/pets out of the room.
  2. Stop adding moisture. Pause showers/baths for now. If it’s safe, crack a window. Keep the bathroom door mostly shut until the floor is dry to avoid spreading moist air.
  3. Document quickly. Take clear photos/video of the drip point, any staining, and any swelling/soft plaster. Note the time and what was happening (after a shower, during rain/wind, random).
  4. Turn the fan off at the safest point you can.
    • If you have a fan isolator switch (often outside/above the door), switch it off.
    • If water is dripping onto/near any electrical fitting (fan, light, switch), turn off the relevant circuit at the consumer unit. If you’re unsure which circuit, turn off the main switch only if you can do so without reaching through wet areas.
  5. Do a quick “look only” check in the bathroom (no dismantling). Look for:
    • damp rings/staining, soft plaster, or cracks radiating from the fan/vent
    • whether drips start after showers (often condensation/duct related) versus continuous or worsening (more suggestive of an active leak)
  6. If you can safely access the loft/roof space, do a brief visual check only.
    • Look for a wet duct, a sagging flexible duct holding water, a disconnected duct, or signs the duct ends in the loft rather than going outdoors.
    • Look for roof/pipe leaks above the bathroom (wet timbers, dripping pipes, wet insulation).
    • If you see active dripping near wiring/junctions, back out and keep power isolated.
  7. Tell the right person now (don’t wait for it to “dry out”).
    • If you rent or have building management: report it as urgent and say: “water dripping from bathroom extractor/vent; possible electrical exposure; circuit isolated.” Share your photos.
    • If you own: if it’s active/worsening or the ceiling is soft/bulging, contact a plumber (possible supply/drain leak) and/or roofer (roof/vent leak). If any electrical fitting got wet, contact a qualified electrician before re-energising.
  8. Once electrical risk is controlled, start gentle drying of what you can reach. Wipe up surface water and keep air moving. Aim to get damp materials drying promptly (often within 24–48 hours where feasible) to reduce mould risk.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide “condensation vs leak” right now — focus on electrical safety, stopping further moisture, and getting it reported.
  • You don’t need to dismantle the fan, cut holes, or remove insulation today.
  • You don’t need to choose upgrades (new fan, insulated ducting, humidistat) until the cause is confirmed.

Important reassurance

This is a common panic situation: warm, humid bathroom air meeting cold ducting/roof space can create condensation that drips back down. But because it’s happening at an electrical fitting, treating it cautiously until confirmed safe is sensible.

Scope note

These are first steps only. The fix may involve correcting duct routing/insulation/termination, or repairing a plumbing/roof leak, and may need a qualified electrician if electrics were exposed to water.

Important note

This is general information, not a substitute for professional inspection. If water may have contacted electrical components, keep the circuit off until a qualified professional confirms it’s safe.

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