Ceiling Damage From Water Leak

10 ways to prevent mold in the wake of a water leak.

Ceiling damage from water leak.

Ceiling water damage repair may seem daunting and it certainly can be a big job. Most homeowners insurance policies help cover water damage if the cause is sudden and accidental. Since drywall is essentially thick layers of paper or cardboard it can be soaked through much more easily than plaster and is much more absorbent and breaks down quickly when wet. The weak point in the ceiling is the hole in the drywall that contains the ceiling light fixture s electrical box as well as the light fixture itself.

This is a disaster waiting to happen. In the lifecycle of a ceiling water leak water will pool on top of the drywall between the joists for a surprisingly long time before you notice it below. After all wood tends to rot warp and deteriorate if exposed to moisture. You must address the issue that caused the leak and resulted in the stain or you could end up with a much bigger problem.

The drip however may also penetrate into the walls the flooring and your home s foundations. Ceiling stains sagging drywall and peeling paint typically mean water is sitting atop your ceiling drywall. Simply covering up the stain will only solve the problem cosmetically. Depending on the leak this may involve simply touching up with a bit of spackle and paint or it might mean replacing and repainting the entire ceiling.

Roof damage including missing shingles clogged gutters and ice dams are one culprit. Keep in mind that it s often easier to simply remove damaged drywall back to dry material. If there signs of water damage or dripping water coming from the ceiling that is directly below an attic space or directly below the roof surface itself there is almost no question that the true cause is a hole or other type of damage in the shingles or other roofing material that make up the roof system. Identifying roofing system leaks.

Ceiling with bubbles from water leak. According to the insurance information institute homeowners insurance may help pay for repairs if for instance your drywall is drenched after your water heater ruptures or an upstairs pipe bursts and water saturates the ceiling below. We ll explain the basic steps but we also suggest you consult a professional if you have significant water damage to ceiling areas in your home or if the damage was caused by a flood. When your ceiling leaks water the first casualty is usually the attic area along with the items that it contains.

Use a screwdriver and push it into the center of the location of the leak. If there is a stain on your ceiling there is a good chance that this stain is a water stain caused by a leak. Create the hole away from the ceiling s framing boards. Problems overhead can be caused by a number of issues many of which will require your immediate attention.