Most ceiling water damage is caused by leaky or burst water pipes, an overflowing toilet or bathtub, or roof leaks. Although the damage might start as small water stains on your ceiling, water will eventually cause your ceiling to crumble entirely. Whether you have water spots on the ceiling or water is already leaking through your ceiling, follow these steps on how to fix a water damaged ceiling.
How To Repair Ceiling Water Damage
If you have a ceiling leak, but the damage is only minor, you might be able to dry it out. You will still need to fix the water source, but this could save you both time and money. However, you must make repairs if water leaks through your ceiling.
1. Find and Fix the Leak
First, you need to find and fix the source of the water. Repairing a water damaged ceiling without stopping the leak will only lead to problems in the future. Also, the damage will only get worse the longer you wait to fix the problem.
2. Dry out a Wet Ceiling
Next, you need to dry out the wet ceiling as quickly as possible. This will limit damage and help prevent mold. While regular house fans will work, they can take days or even weeks to dry your ceiling.
Instead, use high-volume fans and a structural drying dehumidifier for the fastest drying time. You can get these from most equipment rental companies.
Aim the fans at the ceiling and even raise them if possible. Put the dehumidifier underneath the wet ceiling and empty it regularly. Make sure you dry the ceiling and the wood joists inside as well.
With the right equipment, it will take between six hours to a full day to dry a water-damaged ceiling. However, don’t rely on your eyes or touch to tell when it is dry. Instead, use a moisture meter to make sure it’s dry.
3. Repair the Water Damaged Ceiling
For minor ceiling water damage, you can usually make repairs without replacing the drywall or plaster. First, scrub the ceiling with a brush to remove loose debris. Then wipe it with a clean, damp cloth and let it air dry.
You can fix small gaps and cracks with plaster or drywall mud. For gaps less than half an inch wide, use a putty knife to fill the gag and leave a smooth finish. With wider gaps, fill them in first and let them dry overnight. Then sand them until smooth.
If there is major damage, you will need to cut away sections of the ceiling. Use a box cutter or a drywall saw to make straight cuts for drywall ceilings.
Then cut a new piece of drywall just smaller than the hole and screw it into the joists. Mud and tape the joints to seal the gaps and make your ceiling smooth.
For plaster, you will need to replace the lathe or backing material. Then apply the plaster in thin layers, allowing each time to dry. Continue to apply layers until the new section matches the existing texture.
4. Seal and Paint
Once the mud or plaster is dry, paint the damaged section with a sealing primer. This will block water stains and spots and keep the ceiling from soaking up paint. Without primer, it will take many more coats of paint.
Start with at least two coats of primer before applying your topcoat. For smaller sections, you can feather the topcoat into the old paint. However, painting the whole ceiling is easier for larger sections.
Who To Call for Ceiling Leak Repairs?
If you cannot safely make ceiling repairs or you don’t have the time to do so quickly, you should hire a water restoration company. They have the equipment and training to repair a water damaged ceiling quickly.
How Much Does Water Damaged Ceiling Repair Cost?
Ceiling repair costs after a water leak usually range between $900 and $1,800. However, the exact cost depends on the cause of the leak, the amount of ceiling water damage and the materials involved. Also, most repairs are covered by your home insurance.
Talk to a local pro now. Certified Restoration Local water cleanup specialists offer 24-hour service and fast, free quotes.
What Are the Signs of Ceiling Water Damage?
Thankfully, the signs of ceiling damage are easy to see. Water spots on the ceiling are common, but water dripping or leaking is a more urgent problem. If you have any of the following signs, find and fix the water leak right away. After you fix the leak, you still need to fix the ceiling water damage.
Water Leaking From the Ceiling
You should always treat water leaking from your ceiling as a major problem. In most cases, you can find the leak easily. Look at the plumbing above the damage for leaks or overflows. If the roof is directly above the ceiling, look for damaged shingles.
Sagging Ceiling
A sagging ceiling is also a sign of a ceiling leak. As the water saturates the ceiling material, it also weakens it. The weight of the water will then cause the ceiling to start to sag. Although most common in drop tile ceilings, water can also cause drywall and plaster ceilings to sag. Typically, a sagging ceiling indicates a moderate water leak or issue.
Peeling Paint or Cracked Plaster
Another sign is peeling paint or plaster. This is most common with a small leak that leaves the ceiling wet for a long time. Over time, the water causes the paint to bubble or peel. Wet plaster shrinks and expands, causing cracks.
Yellowish-Brown Water Spots
Yellowish-brown water stains on the ceiling mean the leak is small enough that the area has time to dry. Repeated or inconsistent leaks will form rings as the water spreads further from the source over time. Even if they feel dry to the touch, water spots on the ceiling mean you have a leak somewhere.
Why Does Water Leak From Your Ceiling?
Water leaks from the ceiling are usually caused by either plumbing problems or roof issues. Most ceiling damage is from slow leaks that cause yellowish-brown water stains. While water spots on the ceiling might not seem very urgent, a large leak can cause water to pour through your ceiling in just minutes.
Plumbing Problems
Plumbing problems cause most ceiling leaks. Bathroom caulk eventually wears away, allowing water to enter the walls and drip down to the ceiling. Also, pipes may sweat in either the summer or winter. Although less likely, pipes and plumbing connections may leak over time. In rare cases, pipes may burst, or appliances can leak. A plumbing leak could be the problem if the ceiling damage is directly below a bathroom or kitchen.
Roof Leaks
Most leaky roofs are caused by damaged shingles that let rain or snowmelt enter your home. While you may think these leaks are limited to the spring and summer, they are just as common in the winter. Repeated freezing and thawing of snow will form ice dams under your shingles, allowing water to enter through your roof. Roof damage is usually the cause when water comes through your attic or along the eaves of your house.
Is water leaking from your ceiling? Call 1-888-915-7176 now for a fast and reliable free quote and water damage restoration.
We had a small water leak around the vent pipe in our spare bathroom. The source of the leak has been repaired. Is it necessary to take down the sheet rock ceiling in the bathroom with a minor water leak. It looks like it just needs repainting.
Sorry to hear about your leak Darrell. If the leak is repaired and the sheetrock is only stained, you can paint it. You should use a stain blocking primer coat first, then finish with your top coat. However, it’s best to replace that section if the sheetrock is damaged. This may include weak or soft spots, blisters or bubbles, or cracked areas. While you can paint over the damage, the damage will still be there and the humidity from regular bathroom water use can cause more damage over time. Best of luck with your repairs.
I have enjoyed reading this about ceiling repair in water damage. Really, entire discussion is more helpful and all the tips are more effective too. I am very glad to go through this kind of helpful article. Thanks for sharing a nice article.
Hi, we had a water leak above a room with a lava and plaster ceiling, it happened about 17 months ago. Initially the ceiling was water damaged with slight cracking. so the accessor said it just needed stain blocking , filling and repainting so the decorating cost was included in the insurance claim.. Now that we are reading to redecorate this room the ceiling has cracked considerably more and we have been advised that after water damage to a lava and plaster ceiling it should be replaced. That is apparently because when wet, the lava expand and on drying out the lava retract and cause further damage/cracking to the overall ceiling. Can you please tell me if this is correct?
Hey Gillian, I’m sorry to hear about your ceiling cracks. Going by what you’ve indicated, the assessment seems possible. During the original water damage, the water caused the wood laths to swell and weaken the plaster. As the lath dried, they contracted, pulling away from the plaster. Since that time, the cracks have developed from walking on the floor above this area or just general settling of your home. You can fill these cracks again, but it’s likely they will return over time. Replacing at least this section of the ceiling is the probably the best way to prevent future cracking. However, it is hard to be entirely sure without seeing the damage first hand. I hope this helps and best of luck with your renovations.
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i have a bathroom downstair and its leaking from the shower upstair
Hey Tina, I’m sorry to hear about your plumbing leak. If you still need assistance, please call 1-888-443-3110 to speak with a local water damage restoration contractor in your area.
Hi my washroom above the laundry room has somehow leaked. There is a wide line in the middle of the laundry room on the main floor and it seems that it is along the bathtub. I have a couple staying with me and am assuming that the water has spilled through the vents. Please advise what to do. The water was also found on the top of the washing machine however was dried before we noticed. Regards
I’m very sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough information to make an accurate assessment of the situation. It could be a leak from a water supply line or a drain pipe. Other common causes of water leaks are the caulk around bathtubs and showers. If you plan to make repairs on your own, inspect your bathroom for damage. Slowly turn on each faucet to see if that makes the leak worse. You should be able to locate the leak relatively easily. From there, follow the steps above to repair the damage. Our article on drying out water damage may also be helpful. However, if you can’t find the leak or you don’t plan on making repairs yourself, we’d be happy to help. Call 1-888-443-3110 to speak with a local water damage company that can access the situation and provide a free estimate. Whichever route you choose to go, I wish you all the best with your water leak.
There was a ceiling repair in my garage from the upstairs unit. These are condos. The repairs done were completed as a patch job. Who can check these repairs for code standards in Denver, CO?
Hi Cyn. Unfortunately, we don’t have building inspectors within our network. Building codes vary widely state to state and city to city, so I suggest contacting your local government offices. They may have a department of building inspections or another organization that can assist. Sorry I couldn’t be more help. Best of luck.
I’m renting a duplex and I have a leak in my bathroom from my upstairs neighbors, it’s leaking through the light fixture and 3 other places in the ceiling. The landlord replaced the light fixture twice already and it’s only getting worse and I’m afraid my ceiling will eventually give out from the water just sitting there and the continuous leak. I moved in, in November and it is now April and it has not been repaired and I can’t afford to move again. I don’t know what to do.
Hi Tanisha, I’m sorry to hear about this. Unfortunately, most water damage restoration companies will not agree to perform work without the approval of your landlord. The best thing to do is to contact your landlord directly and explain the situation. You may even talk with your upstairs neighbor and see if you can determine what is causing the leak in the first place. You may also want to investigate renters insurance as well. It typically covers the cost of replacing personal items in the event that leak ends up causing damage to your possessions. I wish I had better advice and wish you all the best with your situation. Jeff.
Is there a product on the market that can be applied to the ceiling which will help to stop water leaks getting into the flat below
Hey Graham. Sorry to hear about your water leak issue. There might be sealants that are marketed as being able to do this, but I question how effective they will be in the long term. The best way to resolve this situation is to fix the water leak. Wish I could be more helpful. Best of luck.
I had a small water leak for a couple of hours. It puddled on the floor and left a mark on the ceiling but was discovered within a matter of a few hours. Is this enough to warrant cutting the drywall in the ceiling to see if there is more damage?
Hi Tania, Based on what you’ve said, the situation sounds low risk. However, mold and water damage can lead to issues in the future. If the area supports a ceiling light or ceiling fan or show signs of deterioration, it’s probably best to remove and replace that section. If the cause of the water is permanently fixed and there is only a cosmetic stain, you can probably paint it with a stain blocker. We’d be happy to help if you need an estimate on repairs. Hopefully, this helps.
We had a lot of rain and the ceiling in the dining room and kitchen fell in. There is now a tarp on the roof so there will be no further leakage or whatever caused this. But is it safe to get things out of the house? how long can we be in there? Do we need mask to go in those rooms? and what else needs to be done? We are not planning to repair this we are selling the house as is.
I’m very sorry to hear about this and hope everyone is safe. It’s hard to make accurate recommendations without seeing the damage. However, based on what you’ve explained it should be safe to enter the area and remove items. You should take safety precautions when in the area, including wearing pants, long sleeves, and close-toed shoes. If there is dust or visible mold, you should also wear goggles or safety glasses, thick gloves, and face mask. Use heavy duty contractor garbage bags to dispose of damaged ceiling material and other debris. If the area is still wet, use dehumidifiers and fans to dry it out. This will prevent mold from growing until the new owners are able to make repairs. I hope this helps.