is my ceiling going to fall down?

[rm]

So, I get a call from my unexpected house guest that my bathroom ceiling is leaking.

I run home.

It's done leaking by the time I get there.

There's been maybe a pot-full of water involved in total.

I turn on the light in the bathroom. Everything's red. What.

Oh. The glass lamp shade has filled up with nasty water.

Now, can I go up there and unscrew the lampshade without electrocuting myself? If I just leave it be will the water evaporate (because I don't relish climbing on a stool and probably dumping nasty water on my head).

Finally, am I correct to assume that whatever happened was probably the result of the kids upstairs (*shakes fist at Scooby-Do van*) flooding their bathroom because they are idiots, or do I have to worry that there's a cracked pipe in the ceiling and this will happen everytime they turn on the shower? There's no bubbling paint or anything and the whole thing looks to me like they flooded their bathroom and the water went into their floor and then came in to my apartment through the shoddily sealed light fixture.

While I realize everyone's first recommendation is going to be "call the super" that's problematic and best avoided unless this becomes are recurring issue. So what's your second piece of advice?

And please, for the love of God, tell me it will be okay.

Also, I should note that it apparently happened twice about 10 minutes apart, which to me reads like flood and flood cleanup. But that may be wishful thinking.

Comments

[gement.livejournal.com]

It happened in my house once, due to an overflowing shower upstairs. Light actually got INTO the light bulb (yes, the bit with the filament) while it was still on. It would not switch on again, but it kept burning cheerfully with an inch of water in the bulb until we turned it off.

If it only happens the once, clogged upstairs fixture (or in my case, a kid who plugged the drain because she liked splashing her feet in the shower floor when it filled up) is a pretty good bet. If it happens twice, call the super.

Everyone's already told you about the fuse box. A few hour delay is no big deal. DON'T PANIC.

Hmm. Where's my large friendly letters font when I need it?

[rm.livejournal.com]

I figure if it doesn't happen again tomorrow it's not a pipe, but kids, which is seriously the news I want.