Is a ceiling leak an emergency?
A ceiling that is dripping, bowed or bulging is. Wet drywall is heavy and the screws that hold it were not made for that weight. A brown stain with no drip is not an emergency, but it is still a sign that water got there.
First steps
Clear the space
Move people, pets, electronics and furniture out from under the wet area.
Catch the water
Bucket, towels, plastic sheeting.
Mind the lights
If water is near a light fixture or fan, turn that circuit off at the breaker from a dry spot.
Stop the source
AC off for a drain line, water off for a bath leak, and a tarp on the roof only after the storm passes and it is safe.
Photograph
The stain, the drip, the attic if you can see it safely, and the source.
Finding the source
| Clue | Likely source |
|---|---|
| Only during or after storms | Roof, flashing, a roof penetration or a clogged scupper |
| On hot days when the AC runs hard | Attic AC condensate drain line or pan |
| After someone showers upstairs | Shower pan, tub drain or valve |
| Near a toilet above | Wax seal or supply line |
| Constant, any weather | A supply line in the ceiling or attic, or an attic water heater |
Monsoon roof leaks
The Clark County Regional Flood Control District names July through September as the monsoon months, with sudden downpours that most often last a couple of hours. Short heavy rain finds cracked tile, lifted flashing and clogged drains on flat roofs fast. A roofer handles the roof. We dry and rebuild the ceiling.
Water stain or mold?
A water stain is usually a tan or brown ring with a defined edge. Mold tends to look fuzzy or spotted, often gray, green or black, and may smell musty. If you can see mold, EPA says testing is usually unnecessary. Find and fix the water, then remove the moldy board.
How a ceiling gets repaired
We read the ceiling to find the edge of the wet area, open it back to the framing, remove wet insulation, and dry the attic side. Then new board, wide feathered tape joints, primer, sprayed texture to match and paint across the whole ceiling. Light rakes across a ceiling, so a patch that is only close shows.
What it costs
National cost guides list drywall restoration at about $1.50 to $3 per square foot. Water from overhead is usually Class 3, which national guides put at about $1,000 to $3,000 for the dry out alone. Your number depends on the size of the wet area, insulation and texture.