When you look up and notice discoloration on your roof, chances are high there is water leaking from the ceiling. Notably, most homeowners will think of buying new shingles or installing an entirely new roof, thinking that it could cause the ceiling’s leakage.
Although seeing the discoloration on your ceiling can be frustrating, you first need to detect the cause of the problem. Could it be the roof? If so, Roof Master’s professionals have good experience detecting roof leakages and offer solutions to such issues.
That said, let’s dive into the facts.
Signs that Your Ceiling is Leaking
When you notice that one part of the roof is leaking, you need to inspect other rooms to check for the signs of a leaking ceiling. If the leak is due to a malfunctioning roof, the other discolored parts of the ceiling will help you know the extent of the damage.
Besides a discolored ceiling, the other signs of a leaking roof include;
Mold:
Moisture gives mold a conducive environment to breed. When you see a black or green patch on the ceiling, the cause is likely to be moisture. Unfortunately, mold can spread faster if not removed on time.
Swollen Ceiling:
The type of damage on the ceiling depends on the ceiling material. While cement ceilings will have wetness and discolored parts, the wood ones might swell and discolor when subjected to high moisture content.
What to Do When Water is Leaking From the Ceiling
When you have finished inspecting the other parts of the house for the signs, the next step is to figure out what to do. The patches are ugly, and you certainly are concerned about how they reduce your house’s beauty but do not run for the paint and brush first.
Here is what to do when your ceiling is leaking.
Find Out All Possible Causes of the Leak
There are many causes of ceiling leaks, and you could be wrong when you guess. Thankfully, finding the reason for the leak will solve the problem once and for all. You don’t have to paint the ceiling without finding the root cause of the problem.
Painting the ceiling without repairing the roof, if it’s the root cause of the issue, provides a temporary solution and exposes the top to more harm. If you cannot find the reason for the leaks, hire a roofing expert to help you find out why your ceiling is leaking.
Some of the causes of a leaking ceiling could be;
Broken Shingles or Failing Roof
Heavy storms cause shingles to crack and break, and others fall. Hailstorms also destroy roof materials, and a malfunctioning roof is a common reason for a leaking ceiling. You can identify this by checking the rooftop or get a professional to inspect it.
Improperly Installed Skylights
Leaks due to incorrect skylights are easy to spot. The discoloration will be in the areas around the skylight, and the leaking happens when it begins to rain. You can contact a skylights window installer to correct the problem.
Plumbing problems
Although your first guess might have been a malfunctioning roof, sweating and torn pipes are also significant causes of leaking ceilings. You can bet on it if the discoloration is in the kitchen or bathroom, where pipes might be running over the ceilings.
Faulty appliances
As hard as it is to believe, faulty refrigerators and washing machines with a connected water supply and drain lines can cause ceiling leaks. It happens when water accumulates on the floor and starts getting absorbed into the ceiling beneath.
Find a Solution To the Problems
Knowing the parts of the house affected by ceiling leaks and why the ceiling is leaking will help find the solution. Do not leave the ceiling to suffer from moisture. Failure to take immediate action will lead to more damage to it and other parts of the house.
Also, painting the patch is a quick but temporary way to deal with the problem. If you don’t address the primary cause, the damage will spread to the walls and other parts.
If it just started raining, and the ceiling is leaking, water will drop on the floor. Put an empty bucket to catch the drops. This kind of leakage means that the damage is too big and needs immediate inspection and repairs.
You can also make the hole bigger by puncturing that part of the ceiling using a screwdriver. That will make the water drop down to the bucket directly from the source, reducing the soaking of the roof hence fewer damages.
If your leak is due to plumbing problems, a plumber can handle that well. They will open a part of the ceiling and detect all of the issues with the pipes. Sealing broken pipes or replacing them will be a good solution.
Ceiling leaks resulting from the poor installation of skylights will need you to call a window installer. They could remove the entire window and install it afresh or fix faulty appliances. Fortunately, this gives a permanent solution to the leakage.
If the problem is faulty appliances, you should repair your refrigerators and washing machine. That will prevent their drain and supply lines from leaking out water. If the appliances are too old, you can also replace them to ensure they operate correctly.
What Follows After Fixing the Problem?
Now you are sure you will not live in worry of getting more discolorations, molds, and sagging ceilings. It is also the time to repaint the discolored part to restore your home interior’s beauty. These steps will help you to do a good job.
You first need to prepare the damaged area for repainting. Scrap off the mold and the old paint in the area. Wash the yellow, brown, or green patch and wait for it to dry. Now go in with your paint, and apply two or three coats to ensure it matches the other parts.
Some ceilings suffer significant damages from the leaks, so you could be forced to replace the damaged part or the entire top. Replacing the ceiling is expensive, but all worth it. It will also be necessary if you want the beauty of your house back.
Final Words
Regardless of the reasons behind your leaking ceiling, the process of finding the root cause of the problem and repairing it might seem tedious. However, it is an inevitable process, especially if you want to deal with water leaking from the ceiling entirely.
Contact us today to talk to one of our agents and get a free inspection.
