Dealing with water ceiling leaks is not a small issue. If you have identified a water leak in the ceiling and are wondering whom to call for ceiling leak repair, this article will help you determine whom to contact next.
If you experience a ceiling water leak, you should call an emergency plumber open 24/7 and a roofing contractor. The professionals will identify the cause of the issue, fix it, and repair the damaged ceiling to ensure the comfort and safety of your home. Attempting to solve the problem on your own could lead to more damage. Therefore, leave the issue to the professionals.
Our team of plumbers at Emergency Plumbing Squad have experience and expertise in dealing with both large and minor ceiling water damage. We will come with the right equipment to repair and prevent further damage. Our services are easily accessible because we have a network of branches countrywide.
What to Do If Water Is Leaking in Your Ceiling
Once you spot a leak on the ceiling, the first step is to call a professional. However, there are several things you can do to prevent the water from further spreading in the ceiling and causing more damage.
Contain the Water
If water is dripping from the ceiling, find a bucket or any other container to catch the water. To prevent the water from splashing out of the bucket, line it with a towel or an old damp cloth.
Cover or Move the Furniture
Move your furniture or cover it with a plastic sheet or a vinyl tablecloth to protect it from water damage. You can move the furniture to a dry corner of the room, basement, or outside. If you do not have enough space indoors and have to take it out, ensure to cover the furniture to protect it from rain or sun damage.
Remove Water from the Floor
If left to accumulate, the water dripping on the floor can cause mold growth and damage. Therefore, use a mop or an old cloth to soak up all the water on the floor. If you are dealing with a large pull of water, use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
Make a Small Drainage Hole in the Ceiling
If the water is not flowing out from the ceiling, it might accumulate and weigh down the ceiling. To prevent this, make a small hole in the ceiling to help the water to flow outside.
To carry out this process, climb a stool or a ladder and use drywall screws to poke a hole. Ensure that you have a container on the floor to catch the water. It might feel like you are damaging the ceiling, but that is not the case, because you will need ceiling repairs at the end of the day.
Turn Off the Water Supply
If you identify the source of leaking water, you should turn it off to prevent further accumulation. Sometimes, you will be forced to turn off the water main until the plumber arrives.
Call a Plumber
Whatever the cause of the water leak in your ceiling, you must contact a professional for repair. The issue might seem small, but trying to solve it alone can cause further damage, which might cost you your house. Paying an emergency plumber to handle ceiling leaks might be expensive, but you cannot compare the amount required with the possible damage.
Signs of a Water Leak in the Ceiling
A water leak in the ceiling is more than water dripping. Therefore, you should be able to identify the unnoticed signs of ceiling water leaks in the ceiling. Here are signs of water leaks in the ceiling to watch out for:
Dripping
Water dripping from the ceiling is the obvious sign of a water leak. You must be very concerned if you see or hear a water leak from any part of the ceiling. Even if the leak comes and goes within a day, you should call a plumber to identify the source and make repairs to prevent future damage.
Water Stains
Another noticeable sign of water in the ceiling is the presence of yellow or brown stains on the ceiling or walls. The spots indicate a present or previous leak or might result from water from an upstairs bathroom. To clear the doubts, call an emergency plumber to check the root cause as soon as possible.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew grow in dump spaces within 48 hours. Mold and mildew on the ceiling, walls, or corners warrant an emergency call to a plumber. Apart from damaging the ceiling, mold causes respiratory health issues. If the problem is not resolved, the mold grows into a dangerous black mold.
Musty Smell
You might not see the stains or mold growth, but a musty odor might mean that there is water settled in the ceiling. If your house develops a musty smell that intensifies with time, there is a high possibility of ceiling leak, and you should have it checked immediately.
Swollen Ceiling
A swollen ceiling is an indication of water pools in the ceiling. If you notice a swelling or a bulge in the ceiling, you are experiencing dangerous water damage. The ceiling is on the verge of breaking; therefore, you should call an emergency plumber immediately.
Cracked and Peeling Paint
A leak in the ceiling makes it dump and hence starts to damage the paint. The slightest crack or paint peel should be taken seriously because it could result from a leak. By the time the paint starts to come out, the leak has been going on for a while and should be repaired before it causes more damage.
Sweating Walls
Before the ceiling leak leads to mold growth, the ceiling often develops droplets or what seems like sweat because of a rise in humidity. If not repaired, the water continues to accumulate and causes more damage.
Higher Water Bills
If your water bills suddenly go up, there is a high possibility that you are experiencing a leak somewhere in the house. If any of the signs above accompanies the increased water bills, there is a high chance of a ceiling leak.
What Causes Leaks in the Ceiling?
In order to repair ceiling water damage, the plumber must identify the cause of the leakage. Ceiling leaks can result from various reasons, including the following:
Burst Piping
Burst pipes are a major cause of leaking ceilings in the winter. When the temperatures are extremely low, the water in the pipes expands, leading to pressure in the pipes, which causes them to burst. Burst pipes cause large amounts of water in the ceiling, which is very destructive and damaging.
Roof Leak
If your ceiling is leaking from the attic area, there is a high possibility that the roof is leaking. The roof protects the whole building from weather conditions but can get damaged without proper care. A damaged roof allows elements like ice dams and rainwater from the outside, which settles on the ceiling and cause damage.
Some common causes of a leaky roof include missing or damaged shingles, chimneys, or old age. If the leaking water is brown or dirty, there is a big possibility that the roof leaks.
Faulty Appliances
Faulty appliances can be the reason for water leaking in the ceiling if there are appliances like washing machines or dishwashers on the second floor. If the drain or water supply lines are damaged, they will lead to water leakage beneath the appliance, which will be seen on the ceiling downstairs. Water from faulty appliances is most likely clear.
Plumbing Leak
If a bathroom upstairs develops a plumbing issue, the results will be seen on the ceiling on the first floor. Some of the possible plumbing issues can occur on the joints due to clogs, leaking shower or if the water in the pipes freezes during the winter.
Condensation
Bathrooms should vent outside the house to remove the moisture from hot water showers. Most vents are installed so that the moisture travels from the vent through ductwork via the attic to the outside. If the ductwork is not installed correctly or becomes loose over time, the air from the bathroom settles in the attic, which results in mold growth in the ceiling.
How to Fix a Leak in the Ceiling
After diagnosing a leaking ceiling, the next step is to get rid of the cause as soon as possible before it causes more damage. Below are steps on how to fix a leak in the ceiling:
Stop the Source of Water
The next step after identifying the water source is to stop more water from coming in. If the source is a leaking washing machine or any other appliance, stop using it until it is repaired. If there is already a pool of water under the appliance, unplug it to prevent electrical accidents.
If the water comes from a burst or leaking pipe, you should turn off its water source until it is repaired or replaced. If water comes from the bathroom or toilet, use an alternative until the repairs are done.
Lastly, if the roof is damaged and letting water or ice in, you should take precautionary measures until it is repaired. Repairing the roof can be expensive, but the longer you take to fix it, the more damage it does to the ceiling, and the more you will spend on repairs. To cut on the cost, check if your homeowners insurance company will cover some bills.
Repair The Leak
After cutting out the water supply, the next step is to repair the sources of the leak. For this step, you need the help of a plumber, and our experienced plumbers from the Emergency Plumbers Squad will take care of the repairs for you. The plumbers will ensure that the root cause is identified and solved in the long term. If you skip this step or have shoddy work done, you will be back to a leak in the ceiling after a while.
Dry Everything
After the repairs, you can now dry the furniture, floors, and anything else that has been drenched. In severe leakages, some of your materials will be fully damaged. Drying is an essential step because it stops the growth of mold and mildew. Note that it takes around 48 hours before mold starts to grow. Therefore you need to take action by calling a water damage restoration company as soon as possible.
Repair The Ceiling
Depending on the water damage to the ceiling, you can have it repaired or removed for a new installation. For this step, you need to work with professionals who will look at the level of damage and decide the best cause of action.
Conclusion
Water leak in the ceiling is not something to ignore. You must understand that there is always a cause of the leakage, and it does not go away on its own. Whatever the reason, be it a burst pipe, faulty appliance, or leaking roof, it should be repaired as soon as possible to stop further damage. Therefore, call specialized professionals like our plumbers from Emergency Plumbing Squad for a permanent solution.