There is nothing more disconcerting than noticing that your ceiling has started to drip water. A leak is never something to celebrate, but when a leak is inside a wall or ceiling, it can be especially problematic. If you notice a damp stain on your ceiling or it has actually begun to drip, you need to call in a professional plumber to immediately correct the underlying problem.
The Causes of Ceiling Leaks:
There are a number of reasons why your ceiling has developed a leak. The most common reasons are that you have a burst or leaking pipe in your heating or
plumbing system or an issue has developed with your condensate drainage in an air conditioning unit in your attic. Pipes can suffer a malfunction or break due to a number of factors, but the most common are cracks, blockages or corrosion. Unfortunately, since most of your pipes are disguised behind your walls, the first sign of a problem is stains or marks on your drywall or ceiling. This means that by the time you notice an issue, there could be a serious problem lurking somewhere in your home.
The Problems Caused By Ceiling Leaks:
There is a myriad of problems that can be caused by a ceiling leak. These include:
- Property Damage: The largest concern with a ceiling leak is property damage. While you may notice the water damage to furniture or other items that may have been beneath the leak, there is often hidden damage that can be catastrophic. In serious cases, you may need to replace drywall, plaster, wooden beams, flooring and wiring. Since many of the electrics for lighting your home are in the ceiling, there is also a risk of an electrical short.
- Further Damage to Your System: If the source of the leak is your plumbing or a heating pipe, leaving the leak unchecked will allow the problem to continue, causing more damage. You may find that corrosion becomes a problem and eventually whole sections of pipe would need to be replaced.
- Mildew and Mold Growth: Mildew and mold spores thrive in moist, dark places. Unfortunately, when you have a ceiling leak, you have inadvertently created the optimum conditions for spore colonies to develop. Even a small leak that causes relatively little damage can make your home vulnerable to mildew and mold. This can seriously compromise your home’s indoor air quality and could create health issues for members of your family who have respiratory issues such as asthma or allergies.
A ceiling leak can have serious consequences for your home. Even if a leak appears to only be minor and has only caused a small stain on your ceiling, it is important that you don’t ignore the problem. Fast action is the only way to minimize the damage to your home and ensure that the underlying problem is quickly dealt with. An
experienced plumber will be able to detect the source of your ceiling leak and correct the issue, so you can repair any damage and ensure that your home is returned to being in great condition.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
