Just second to your roof, ceilings provide much-needed overhead protection from the elements, extreme temperatures, and debris floating in the air. They also hold insulation in and keep unwanted beams and pipes undercover. While you may not give your home’s ceilings much thought daily, when they start to show signs of ceiling damage, they are sure to move up the priority list, especially when it comes to water damage. At this point, Water Damage Restoration becomes very important in order to prevent massive accidents.
Identifying Water Damage Sources
If you can’t identify a possible water source that is provoking water damage above the ceiling stain, you may have a leaking pipe. It’s also not uncommon for water to run along beams or piping before descending onto your ceiling, confusing the real source of the problem.
For water stains coming from your roof, you’ll need to identify the nature of the disrepair in order to have water clean up, Water Damage Restoration, or water removal. There can be other sources of water seepage from your roof other than a leak. If the water stain occurs after a period of snow, for example, this can indicate the formation of an ice dam, which requires updating your insulation, not your roof.
Potential Roof Damage
- Age of Your House: Just like the body, a house doesn’t always age gracefully. Houses show their age in cracks, which can be repaired for aesthetic purposes.
- Excessive Moisture: Areas with high humidity or condensation can lead to mold and mildew-stained ceilings.
- Structural Issues: Cracks that run the full length of the ceiling in a straight path and then continue down a wall might indicate improper settling of your house or damaged structural elements.
Addressing Ceiling Damage
Ceiling damage due to a leaking pipe in the bathroom on the second floor, water damage as ceiling stains, sagging drywall, and peeling paint often mean water is sitting atop your ceiling drywall. Roof damage, including missing shingles, clogged gutters, and ice dams, are one culprit. The source of the problem might also be a broken pipe or an improper shower fitting allowing water to leak from an upstairs bathroom. Address this type of water damage by first identifying and fixing the water source, then drying the area, and last repairing the ceiling damage.
When to Call a Water Damage Restoration Specialist
If you can’t determine a possible water source that is provoking water damage above the ceiling stain, you might have a leaking pipe. For water stains coming from your roof, you’ll need to identify the nature of the disrepair in order to have water clean up, Water Damage Restoration, or water removal. Water damage as ceiling stains, sagging drywall, and peeling paint often suggest water is sitting atop your ceiling drywall. Address this type of water damage by first identifying and repairing the water source, then drying the area, and last repairing the ceiling damage.