Over the past few days/weeks on 2 occasions I have noticed occasional drips of water coming from a light BULB (turned off).
It has happened one day one week and again yesterday, it only happens on occasions, presumably when its too hot inside, read below:
Unfortunately on previous occasions I have been aware of a slight issue with mold in various places, i think this has previously been caused from condensation due to the lack of air extraction in my flat. Although recently i seem to have much improved this issue.
Due to the cold weather recently i have had my electric heater on for slightly longer.
Is this what is causing the BULB TO leak? Is it telling me it is too hot inside (coming from various heat sources) and the heat has no where to go other than to drip from somewhere?
Or is it a case of the condensation/previous mold slowly disapearing and it needs to drop somewhere?
After opening my back door and letting the airflow/heat out, the dipping stops after about 10 minutes it finally stops.
Having looked at the light it is definitely dripping from the actual BULB and I cannot see any water around the actual light fitting/ceiling.
Above my ceiling is another flat I am not aware of any water sources above my ceiling or nearby as I think it is just their hall area
Can you offer any advice on this, Is it just the mold/condensation releasing?
I know that if water touches electricity then the electricity would immediately shut off, this has't happened as yet!
Or is it more serious i need an electrician/new light fitting
Many many thanks for your help and advice much appreciated
Sorry about the problems I've mentioned above such as non air ventilation and mold unfortunately this is my fist flat and it doesn't have any vents in suitable places such as the kitchen!
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
From your detailed description it sounds like you have a ventilation issue in your flat. Heating the flat and any moisture within it will cause the moisture to vaporise. Water vapour and heat rises. When it cools it condenses and will return to being water or condensate. This water will then follow the laws of gravity and look for the best and lowest point on any given surface. In this instance that appears to be the light fitting and the lowest point on the light fitting is the light bulb. It is definitely worth having an electrician in to provide advice firstly on better ventilating your flat with extractor fans and also to ensure no other leaks are occurring before addressing the light fitting. You may have a leak coming from the flat above which will again find the lowest point so further investigation starting at the leaking light fitting is strongly advised. Water and electricity don’t mix but water does need to be at the right (or wrong) place before it will trip the circuit. In either case (condensation or a water leak) it is definitely worth getting an electrician in to have a look at what is happening and take it from there.
Answered22 January 2020
1
Anonymous user
Switch power off - safety first. But then the first thing I do if water dripping from a light is loosen off the ceiling rose cover ,if of course it is a simple pendant light fitting. If it was a leak originating from somewhere above the ceiling then typically you would see water or condensation inside the ceiling rose. If it is another type of light fitting then not so easy for non electrician to check. I've never experienced condensation on an indoor bulb due to temperature changes. I have seen it in damp sheds,barns and outhouses.
It is always worth checking in on upstairs neighbours as you never know - could be a leaky radiator in hall or water from stripping wallpaper or something.
As always - if in doubt get a local electrician in.
Answered22 January 2020
1
Anonymous user
Sounds like damp in the void between flats. You need to contact you housing officer or landlord and get ventilation installed.
Thank you for all the information I would suggest and in my opinion if you have mould and damp walls, there is an issue with air flow and heating. Concerning the bulb I would be 99% sure it is water form a source above your flat. Firstly isolate the electric to the room concerned then I would find an area wire free not on the joists and drill a small hole near the ceiling rose to see if water drips/escapes. If required make a larger hole to make an inspection hole to view for wet / damp joists and path of leak. Also ask the flat above to make a note of using there shower toilet etc to see if you can minimise the source.
