How to Tell if Your Ceiling Has Water Damage

Ceilings provide much-needed protection from the elements, only second to your roof. Keeping you safe from extreme temperatures and debris floating in the air your ceiling not only keeps you safe but keeps beams and pipes undercover. A ceiling will also hold your insulation in. While you may not give your ceiling a second thought, when they start to show signs of damage, they become a priority on your fix-it list.

Different Types of Ceiling Damage

When your ceiling starts to show signs of wear and tear, it can present in different ways.

Water stains on the ceiling:  Ceilings that are painted bright white can start to show signs of discoloration. While water stains can come in different colors and sizes. When they appear they mean one thing – water is leaking from somewhere above.
Cracks in the ceiling: If you notice cracks in your ceilings, either in straight or spiderweb patterns, this is a sign that water damage is at play.
Sagging ceilings: Ceilings are level and straight. The moment they begin to show signs of shifting and bowing, it means you’ve got bigger issues between the drywall. Leaky pipes can cause water damage to create sagging in your ceiling, which can ultimately lead to a cave in if not treated properly.
Peeling paint: Unless you haven’t repainted in decades, peeling paint is a sign of excess moisture.

Causes of Ceiling Water Damage

Many problems in your ceiling are caused by different types of issues that require immediate attention.

Burst Pipes and Water Leaks from Ice Dams

Pipes can burst due to freezing temperatures that happen regularly in Cleveland and the surrounding areas. If you notice stains, sagging ceilings, and peeling paint, a leaky pipe may be the culprit. Roof damage including missing shingles and clogged gutters can also contribute to ceiling problems.

Ice dams can become an issue leading to a leaky roof if not properly treated. Ice dams occur when water melts and refreezes on your roof, which can eventually lead to broken shingles, compromised flashing, and a leaky roof.

Moisture in Your Home

Regardless of leaky roofs, high levels of humidity can also contribute to ceiling problems. Damp rooms like bathrooms and kitchens tend to have high levels of humidity, and installing exhaust fans can help keep humidity at its proper level.

Avoid mold and mildew stained ceilings by using exhaust fans and dehumidifiers, and ensuring there is proper insulation in each room.

House Age: The Older the Home, the More Issues Can Occur

Just like the human body, a house doesn’t always age gracefully. While humans take on wrinkles and weakened bones, homes show their age in cracks. These typically present in a spiderweb pattern or short hairline cracks. For aesthetic purposes, you can mend these eyesores with drywall mud or plaster and paint. Otherwise, these ceiling cracks shouldn’t pose much of a problem, unless they start growing in size.

Watch for Structural Damage

Full-length cracks in the ceiling can be a sign that your home is settling improperly. If you notice bowing or dipping in your ceiling, the joists may no longer be stable enough to hold your ceiling and may require an additional inspection from a professional restoration company.

At Roth Companies, we provide construction and rebuild services as well as water damage restoration services. For all homes in the Cleveland area, and surrounding cities, our water damage team is ready to assist 24/7 with any disaster restoration projects. Call 800-874-3473 Roth Companies and Roth Construction Company services water, fire, smoke damage restoration and remediation for Cleveland, Elyria, Akron, Canton, Sandusky, Youngstown, OH, Ohio areas

And our construction team is available for custom projectscall us today to schedule a free consultation.

 

Posted in Posts, Water Damage Restoration.