While the roof is the first line of defense to protect your home from such things as the elements and some debris, the ceiling is just as important in the overhead protection of your possessions and being.
But when the warning signs come up such as discoloration or warping, it may be a good idea to invest time and effort into finding the cause for the health and longevity of both your ceilings and walls. Water damage restoration services offer a wide range of renovations to both get rid of the water damage in your ceiling, as well as prevent it from happening again. In this article, we will give you an idea of the different warning signs associated with water damage.
The Four Warning Signs
When determining if your ceiling has water damage, there are four major signs to look for that can tell you may have ceiling damage from water.
- Water Stains: The first sign of water damage comes in the form of water stains – these appear as brown, green, or black patches on the ceiling and in several sizes, shapes, and shades.
These are good indicators of a burst pipe and roof leak and may require further investigation to find the source of the leak.
Alongside the presence of water stains, you may notice the formation and odor of mold and mildew on the ceiling as well as on the corners and walls near these stains – this is another serious side effect and sign of water damage. - Paint Peeling: The second sign to look out for is if there’s any peeling paint present. If there is any peeling or chipped paint, this usually means there is ceiling water that’s settled onto the likely damaged drywall.
Search for any water leaks and attempt to patch and repair them before attempting to repaint. - Cracks: The third warning sign of water-based ceiling damage would be any cracks that might have been newly formed in the ceiling – regardless of the size, these cracks are a serious indicator that the ceiling material is damaged.
Usually, these cracks are formed from roof damage such as wood warping from high humidity, causing further structural problems and the development of additional cracks – if these or any other sign of damage occurs, a professional may need to resolve the underlying issue. - Sagging and Bowing: Finally, the last sign to be aware of is if there is bowing, dipping, or sagging of your ceiling.
Whatever the amount of water is, leaks can cause serious issues if left unaddressed – locating the source of the water then becomes mandatory to prevent further damage.
Looking For the Source
If any sign of water damage is present, the first follow-up step to take is to search for the source of the water whether the affected ceiling is on the top floor or if there are rooms set above it.
Any damaged pipe can be a likely culprit if there is a room above the leaking ceiling. From a small leak caused by aging, improper installation, or accidental puncturing by a nail, to the pipe completely rupturing, it is best to have any faulty pipes either repaired or replaced.
Should there be a leak in the ceiling on the top floor, the root of the problem could be the result of roof damage.
This could be the result of lost or damaged shingles, a lack of maintenance after severe weather, or even a clogged gutter system for your house.
Steps To Remedying The Leak
Once the cause has been determined for the water damage, you’ll need to first stop the water flow depending on the source.
This could be from an appliance malfunctioning – which should be handled safely if it is plugged in and has water pooling around it – or the aforementioned leaky pipes.
In the event of a leaking roof, however, you’ll need to settle for precariously moving anything of value such as furniture or electronics from the leak’s proximity.
Next, the leak will need to be repaired – you can either do it yourself if you’re familiar with such repairs, or you can contact your local experts.
In addition, if the leak came from the top level of your home, any roof damage should be rectified and repaired as soon as possible.
Finally, after the leak has been repaired, drying everything moist or saturated is crucial as well as removing anything that is too damaged for further use to be considered.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be an expert in home repair or construction to know when your ceiling has water damage. There are four warning signs that you can look for, and if any of these apply to you, it may be time to get the leak repaired before it does more serious damage!
If this is happening at your house or business building, contact Excel Fire and Water Damage Restoration Services immediately for professional help with water damage repair. Our water damage restoration company will assess the extent of the problem and identify its source so we can get started fixing things up ASAP.
