If a water pipe passing above a ceiling leaks or when rain penetrates the roof on your home, you can clearly see the results on the ceiling. Plaster or drywall is typically used as ceiling material on the upper surface and water lands on it by running downward or dripping on it. Once there, it first pools and spreads out as it seeks to move further downward. That location is often the seam located between the drywall panels used in the ceiling. When it comes to plaster, the water gradually saturated the material until it ultimately passes straight through the material. Water damage of these types is common. I come from the City of Atlanta, which is infamous for this type of damage. My name is Justin Taylor and I work at 24/7 water damage Atlanta. The information below is a guest post based on my many years of on the ground experience in water removal and restoration of homes and businesses affected by water flooding of different types.
Damage due to water looks bad. First of all, when ceilings are damp, they are discolored. The ceiling material’s integrity is degraded by the water. Mold forms when damage remains for more than a few days. That’s why quickly taking care of the problem is so important. When water problems continually recur, the area that is stained should be checked for mold.
To find the leak in the roof, if you have roof access, head up there to start looking. Use a mop or some rages to deal with any water left standing and a bucket to catch the leak.
Underneath the drip, place a bucket on the floor if there is a drip from a place in the ceiling if you can’t get into the attic. Use an ice pick or a nail to punch a small hole through the ceiling to prevent water from pooling and spreading and allow it to drain directly into a bucket.
Either call a roof repair contractor or if you are the DIY type, then take care of the leak in the roof right away. If it is raining and you cannot take care of the roof right away, then protect it by placing a tarp on the roof.
Allow time for the ceiling to completely dry. Then remove any flaking drywall or paint with a narrow putty knife. Apply a stain sealer to the affected area once it dries, and then paint the area.