If you’ve got a leak in your ceiling, you need a lot more than just a bucket. Water damage can cause your ceiling and walls to deteriorate or rot, leading to unhealthy mold proliferation. That’s why it’s important to address water-damaged ceilings as early as possible.
In this post from The Construction Group in Minnesota, we’re covering the steps you need to take when you spy water damage in your home. To connect with a home remodeling contractor about water damage repair services, give us a call today.
What Causes Water Spots On the Ceiling?
A roof’s by-product, heating appliance, or plumbing leak that has seeped through the ceiling and has since evaporated and dried can cause those unsightly water stains and spots.
A dripping or wet ceiling or wall is a huge red flag and almost invariably indicates water damage inside your home as well as roof damage. Be sure to keep an eye out for discolorations and watermarks that indicate your ceiling or wall has been wet and dried, as this can happen when it rains and dries up before you realize there’s a problem.
Is a Ceiling Leak a Water Damage Emergency?
Some interior water damage is obvious. If you’ve got a water spot or stain on your ceiling or worse, a drip somewhere in your home, don’t kid yourself into thinking it can be put off without consequences.
Even though you may not have a gush of water pouring in, it’s fair to say you’ve got a water problem somewhere. If it’s dripping inside your home, you most likely have a measurable amount of water migrating from its original point of entry. Call a professional roofing contractor to assess where it’s coming from and immediately deal with your water damage emergency.
How to Fix a Water-Damaged Ceiling
Embarking on a do-it-yourself (DIY) project can be rewarding, but when it comes to repairing a water-damaged ceiling, caution is essential. Water damage is often more complex than it appears on the surface, and attempting to fix it yourself without proper knowledge and tools can lead to unforeseen risks and complications.
From structural integrity concerns to potential mold growth, the consequences of inadequate repairs can quickly escalate. If you’re going to tackle such a project yourself, you need to be absolutely sure that you’ve found the source of the water damage and aren’t just simply covering up the leak. Here are a few ways you can fix a water-damaged ceiling:
1. Identify the Source of the Leak
Anytime you spot water damage on your ceilings, you need to find out where it’s coming from as soon as possible and take steps to stop additional water damage from the same source. If the roof is to blame, find and repair crumbling shingles, compromised flashing, or weakened seals around roof vents.
If you cannot patch the leak in the roof, you probably need to replace it. If the cause is the upstairs bathroom, replace old caulking that might be letting moisture seep in. Repair any overflowing toilets or unclog sinks or drains that could be flooding your floor. After all, there’s no point in repairing your water-damaged ceilings if the problem keeps coming back.
If necessary, you may have to remove the damaged drywall to look for the source of the water. If you’re not sure what’s causing your water damage, have a roofing contractor check your roof for damage.
2. Dry the Area
For this step, you’ll need to remove any furniture in the area and place a tarp on your floor to protect it. Cut out any heavily saturated ceiling sections using protective eye goggles and a face mask.
You’ll only need to remove the badly damaged areas with water stains by cutting around them. If you need to release water from a bulging section, be sure to place a bucket below first. Use fans to dry the ceiling from your attic and the room below it.
3. Repair of Ceiling Drywall
As previously mentioned, repair the underlying leak problem first.
● Ceiling drywall can be repaired using the same tools you would use to repair any drywall in your home: A 6-inch taping knife, utility knife, a sheet of drywall, joint compound, drywall sanding sponge, and safety equipment such as goggles, gloves, and a sturdy ladder.
● A 6-inch taping knife works well for removing loose ceiling texture and peeling paper. Replace any missing drywall sections with a new section of drywall that is two inches longer and wider than the missing section. Use your utility knife to cut the drywall down to the correct size as needed. After applying the adhesive, apply the joint compound. You’ll also use a joint compound to fill any smaller holes.
● A small tub of premixed joint compound (drywall mud) is necessary for filling any cracks or gaps, and using mesh or paper drywall tape to reinforce the compound is helpful. A drywall sanding sponge comes in handy for smoothing the surface after the mixture dries.
● After allowing it to dry, smooth out the surface with sandpaper.
Finishing Touches After Drywall Repair
Once you’ve completed the main part of the repair, it’s time to finish your ceiling by priming and then painting it. Before getting started, open your windows to let in plenty of fresh air. Take a sample from the removed ceiling section to your hardware store so it can be paint-matched. Consider repainting the entire ceiling for a more uniform look.
Schedule Your Twin Cities Water Damage Repair Services
To make sure your water damage doesn’t return, it’s a good idea to call in the professional roofing contractors at The Construction Group. We can check your attic and roof, making recommendations where they’re needed.
Get your free quote on water damage repair services by contacting The Construction Group at 651-731-5857 or message us online.