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Leak In Ceiling? Comprehensive Guide To Identify And Fix It
PUBLISHED: JAN 25, 2023 • 6 MINS READ
Discoloration of the ceiling, leaks, and mold formation are signs that signify danger. These problems arise due to the pooling of water on the other side of the ceiling. A leak in the ceiling could be a plumbing problem or the result of roof leaks. These issues could not only damage your ceiling; they could affect you and your family’s health as molds and fungi can cause respiratory irritation, especially for people with asthma.
If you have the same issues, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you will learn the DIY method to keep the ceiling in good shape and make it last longer without spending much.
Safety Considerations To Follow Before Inspecting Your Leaky Ceiling
When you have a leak in your ceiling, you need to take some primary steps for your safety and your house’s safety. You need to protect your appliances and furniture under the ceiling from damage.
Follow these steps when a leak is detected:
Put a bucket or container under the leaking spot
Turn off the main water line to the house
Move your furniture and other items far from the leaking spot
Mark the area where the water has spilled to avoid accidents
Make a hole in the center of the leaky spot to let the water drain out quickly. It will prevent the water from damaging the rest of the ceiling
Switch on the fans to dry the ceiling and wet the floor
Use an exhaust fan or dehumidifier to minimize the humidity inside the house
Inspect the leak and the reason for it
Call your plumber or home warranty provider to fix the issue
Note: Home warranty does cover plumbing and leaks in the roof. However, if your infrastructure is affected by water leakage, you need to call other professionals as well. Taking prompt and appropriate action will save your ceiling and unnecessary expenses.The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends a minimum of two inspections of your roof per year.
What Are The Common Signs Of Leak In The Ceiling?
There are some obvious signs that there is a leak in the ceiling. And sometimes, you may have to look further into the walls and even the floors to check how much it has affected your house. Below are some of the common signs of a leaky ceiling in your house:
Puddles on your floor: When the leak is severe, the water starts to drip from your ceiling. You shouldn’t waste a second and should call for help from a professional.
Stains & patches on the ceiling: Yellow or rusty color stains are a clear indication of water spreading through the ceiling. Although the color of stains depends on the type/source of the leak.
Sagging of the ceiling: This issue could be because of leaky pipes or the roof. Whatever the reason, the water is pooling on the other side, and it is a dangerous situation. The ceiling could fall at any time.
Mold & mildew: Mold and mildew on the wall, especially, if it’s far from the bathroom, is an indication of leakage from pipes.
Peeling & blistering wall paint or damaged wallpaper: Damaged wall paint or wallpaper is a sign of water leaking and spreading throughout the walls.
Damaged bathroom floor, kitchen floor, & moist carpeted area: This means there is leakage in multiple places, and it has been going on for a long time.
Noise in plumbing: If you hear clattering and vibrating noises from the pipes, it means they are loose or broken.
Rust on exposed pipes: Steel pipes are a common sight in older homes. When you see rust or discoloration on the pipes exposed to the outside environment, there is a chance of water leaks. Whether these pipes are above the ceiling, in the attic, or on the roof, you must fix them.
How To Fix Ceiling Leak Problems?
You get different problems because of the leak in your ceiling. The common types are stains, patches, and a sagging ceiling. Mold and mildew are the results of ignoring the leakage, and finally, you have blistering wall paint and damaged floors.
We have listed all the steps to tackle these issues head-on:
Stains and patches:
When you see patches or stains on your ceiling, your first instinct is to paint over the ceiling. But this is not a proper way to fix the issue, as it’ll be ineffective in the long run.
When there are stains and patches on your ceiling, you can follow the steps below to fix them:
Find the source of the issue: Check whether the stains are from a roof leak, a plumbing leak, or clogged gutters. Solve that issue first and move on to the next step.
Bleach & warm water: Stains usually cause mold formation, and you need to stop it immediately. Mix bleach with warm water or get a premixed cleaner to wipe down the patches. After that, wipe the solution with a clean cloth and let the ceiling dry.
Apply ceiling primer: Just like you apply primer before painting the walls, you need to apply a water-based or an oil-based primer. It will stop the spread and work as a strong base for paint.
Apply paint: After the primer is set, you can now apply paint to the ceiling.
Saggy ceiling
This is a dangerous situation, as the ceiling could fall if not fixed. This issue could be the result of jammed gutters, plumbing issues, or a leaky roof. You have to carefully follow the below steps to fix this issue:
Turn off the electricity: The electric wire runs through the walls and roofs, and it poses a threat when the walls or ceiling are wet. Turning off the main power supply switch is the first step.
Cut a small hole in the ceiling: The hole will let the water pour out, and you can now check for wiring or HVAC ducts on the inside.
Cut out the saggy or affected drywall: Depending on the area that is affected by the leak, cut a square or rectangular piece from the ceiling. (In case there is a room on the other side, move all the furniture and heavy items from that spot)
Measure the dimensions of the cut-out piece: When you remove the damaged part of the ceiling, measure the size of the piece to determine the size of the new drywall you need to replace it with.
Get a few wooden boards: Get two or three wooden boards to act as braces for your new drywall. Place them inside the hole at an equal distance.
Screw the wooden braces at each end: To fix the hole in drywall, attach wooden boards to the hole by screwing them into place at each end, ensuring a secure and stable repair.
Attach the drywall: Now you can attach the drywall to the hole and tighten it to the wooden braces with screws and nuts. Apply a layer of joint compound on the edges of the hole and use a trowel to spread it. Let it dry overnight, and use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the drywall at the edges.
Paint it: This is the final step that makes your ceiling look just like before. Apply primer to the ceiling before the painting and switch on the water and electricity supplies. Giving the affected area a final touch with proper ceiling paint is necessary, as it will make the ceiling look fresh and not patched up recently. With this step, you can restore the ceiling to its former look and quality.
Note: Replacing the drywall is a bit tough and complex work. If you are not sure about this DIY tip, you must contact a professional. The bigger the affected area, the tougher the job becomes.
Mold & mildew
The buildup of mold and mildew is bad for the ceiling, and you should remove it as soon as possible.
You can use the following solutions to remove the mold and mildew from your ceiling:
Hydrogen peroxide: It kills fungus and bacteria.
Vinegar/bleach: Clean, kill, and remove mold, mildew, and odors.
Baking soda: kills mold and removes odors.
Essential oils: They can be applied directly or mixed with water and sprayed on the affected area.
Lemon: This is the quickest and simple solution to the issue. Lemon juice kills the mold and removes the odor quickly.
Peeling and blistering of wall paint
To solve this problem, you need to follow steps that are similar to the ceiling stain removal steps.
Clean and scrape the flakes from the affected area.
Apply a sealer binder or peel-stop, which works like glue and prevents water from seeping back to the surface.
Apply filler to make the surface smooth, and sand the surface afterward.
Apply a water-based primer and paint it.
Noisy plumbing
The noise from your plumbing work is caused by a leak in the pipes. When water passes through these pipes, the air gets caught up in the pipes, and it makes an unpleasant noise. You will have to patch up the leakage and cover the pipe with sound-dampening insulation to reduce the noise.
Rusty pipes
Galvanized steel pipes get rusty after several years. You need to scrape the flakes using a wire brush and apply a rust-inhibitive primer. In the end, you can apply rust-resistant paint over it.
When To Call A Ceiling Professional For Your Ceiling Repairs
Problems in your ceiling could happen at any time, and they require immediate attention. There are some steps you can follow to fix the problem; however, if the issues are far more than just a few stains and discolorations, you need to call for professional help. Seepage, bulging of the ceiling, and peeling or blistering of wall paint are serious cases. There could be more underlying problems that only a professional can identify and solve. Whenever there’s a serious and large-scale issue with your ceiling, never hesitate to call a ceiling professional.
Do You Need To Replace Ceiling Drywall After A Leak?
Most of the ceiling issues caused by water leakage can be fixed with some minor patchwork. But if the drywall starts sagging because of water pooling on the other side or if the wall has become weak because of the leakage, you need to replace it immediately. If the leakage issue has been going on for a long time or you failed to notice it, the dry walls could be in the worst condition. In this situation, the wall may break and fall, and replacing it is the only solution. If you cannot determine the seriousness of the issue, you can consult an experienced ceiling professional for advice and decide upon the issue.
Do Home Warranty Plans Cover Roof/Ceiling Leaks?
Home warranties do cover plumbing and roofing problems due to wear and tear. Many warranty providers offer roofing coverage as an additional or separate plan because roofing problems are as important and frequent as plumbing issues. Home warranty companies such as Select Home Warranty and Liberty Home Guard offer 1 or 2 months of free roof coverage with their plans.
$200 off + two bonus months + free roof leak protection
Final Words
A leak in the ceiling can cause mold and mildew, resulting in diseases and structural damage. Some DIY methods will help you fix these issues; however, there are times when you have to leave it to the experts. Call your home warranty company and ask for an inspection and repair of your drywall. If you have not yet purchased a home warranty, you can select one that provides roofing services.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Q.
Is a leak in the ceiling an emergency?
A.
Usually, a leak in the ceiling is not an emergency as long as it is taken care of within a few days. If the issue is left unresolved, the paint could start peeling off and the ceiling may break and fall as it may get weak over time.
Q.
How much does it cost to fix a ceiling leak?
A.
Ceiling repair costs between $47 and $86 on average.
Q.
Will a ceiling leak dry on its own?
A.
If you fix the leakage problem immediately, the ceiling should dry on its own within two days. But, if the leakage was heavy and mold formation has begun, you need to call a professional.
Q.
Do ceiling leaks always cause mold?
A.
Yes, whenever water is trapped inside the walls without any air to dry the area, it results in mold formation.
Q.
Can water damage make a ceiling collapse?
A.
A small leakage issue is never a threat to the stability of the ceiling. The danger of the ceiling collapsing increases as the amount and length of leakage increase. The ceiling has many layers, and when water is trapped inside them, the total weight of the ceiling increases and the chances of it collapsing do too.
Q.
Why you shouldn’t ignore water stains on your ceiling?
A.
Water stains are the result of a leakage issue, and if you are already seeing the stains, it means your walls now have trapped water inside them. In the next few days, it’ll cause mold and mildew, which will damage the wall paint and cause diseases. Soon, you’ll have to fear the ceiling falling down because of its weak structure. Neglecting this issue could put everyone under the ceiling in danger.
Q.
How do I dry moisture in my ceiling?
A.
You can use a dehumidifier to dry the ceiling. Keep the window closed for better results.
Q.
What kills black mold instantly?
A.
You can use any of the following liquids or solutions to kill mold:
Bleach
Baking soda
Vinegar
Chemical-based mold and mildew remover
Dish soap
All-purpose cleaner
Hydrogen peroxide
Q.
Can you get sick from mold on the ceiling?
A.
Yes, mold does make people sick, especially if you have respiratory issues like asthma. It also causes irritation and pain in the throat, nose, skin, and eyes.
