Ceiling and roof leaks, from the stain to the new texture
Ceiling leak repair starts above the stain. In valley homes the water usually comes from a monsoon roof leak, an attic AC drain line or a bath upstairs. We dry the attic side, replace the wet board and match the ceiling texture.
Roof leaks in monsoon storms. Short heavy rain finds cracked tiles, flashing and clogged scuppers.
AC condensate lines. When the air handler sits in the attic, a clogged drain line can overflow the pan onto the ceiling.
Upstairs baths. Failed shower pans, toilet seals and supply lines.
Water heaters in the attic in some homes, which can soak a large area fast.
What to do when the ceiling is dripping
Clear the room
Keep people and pets out from under a sagging spot. Wet ceiling board is heavy.
Catch the water
A bucket and towels. If the ceiling bulges, a roofer or restorer can relieve it safely.
Stop the source
Shut the AC at the thermostat for a drain line, the water for a bath leak, or tarp for a roof leak once the storm passes.
Photos
The stain, the source and the attic if you can see it safely.
Fixing the ceiling so it disappears
A ceiling patch is the hardest drywall patch to hide, because light rakes across it. We cut back to framing, dry the joists and the attic side, replace wet insulation, hang new board, tape wide, prime and spray the texture to match the rest of the ceiling. Then the ceiling gets painted edge to edge.
Stain without a drip
A brown ring with no active leak still means water was there. It can be an old repaired leak, a slow AC drain overflow that only happens on hot days, or condensation on a duct. We read the board. If it is dry and firm, stain blocking primer and paint fix it. If it is wet, we find out why first.
Questions people ask
Is a leaking ceiling an emergency?
A sagging or dripping ceiling is. Keep people out from under it and stop the source.
How long before a wet ceiling collapses?
There is no set time. A bowed ceiling should be treated as unsafe now.
Can I paint over a ceiling water stain?
Only after the leak is fixed and the board reads dry, using a stain blocking primer.
Why does my ceiling leak only in summer?
A clogged AC drain line in the attic overflows when the system runs hard.
Does insurance cover a roof leak ceiling?
Sudden damage often is covered. Wear and lack of upkeep usually are not. Read your policy.
Do you fix the roof?
A roofer fixes the roof. We dry and rebuild the ceiling.
Can you match popcorn or knockdown texture?
We match knockdown and orange peel and blend the paint across the ceiling.
Does the insulation above need replacing?
Wet blown insulation usually does.
How long does a ceiling take to dry?
Usually a few days once opened. Done when readings match dry board.
Is a stain without a drip a problem?
It means water was there. We read the board to see if it is still wet.
Water on the floor right now?
Shut the main valve if you can reach it without standing in water near outlets. Then call, or text a photo and the address.