A leaking ceiling is a repair every homeowner dreads. Whether you have noticed a leak trickling into your home, appearing on your ceiling, or there is a puddle forming on your kitchen floor, a ceiling leak is a very serious problem signaling the potential of structural damage. If you spot a ceiling leak in your home, the best cause of action is to call a professional as soon as possible. A ceiling leak left unchecked can do very expensive damage to your home which will worsen with time, leaving your home structurally unsafe. Before you fix your ceiling leak, there are a few signs to look out for which indicate a leak is present.
External and Internal leaks
Discerning whether your leak is caused by an internal or an external issue, is an important step towards fixing your leak. A leak caused by an external problem will be more costly and harder to fix. Internal leaks are quite common and require less repair.
How do you know your ceiling leak is from an external source?
- Water coming from outside your home will bring dirt and debris with it, therefore a leaking ceiling which is caused by an external issue will leave darker stains.
- If your leak is heavier during a period of rain, this could also signal an external leak.
- If your roof insulation is wet or damp, this also points to a roofing leak.
How do you know your ceiling leak is caused by an internal problem?
- Plumbing leaks are quite common in all homes, new or old. The complex network of pipes under our homes does sometimes have issues. If a ceiling leak becomes visible below a bathroom or kitchen, this could point to a water pipe leak.
- Whilst leaks from your roof or an external leak will appear dirty, discoloured, and brown, plumbing leaks will be clear, as the water leaking is water that is used internally.
What to do when you spot a leak
If you have spotted a leak in your home, you should immediately phone an expert to assess the situation. Whilst only a professional will be able to fix your leak, there are a few steps you can take at home to monitor and observe the leak. This will be useful information for a plumber, helping them locate and diagnose the problem.
Catch the water
No matter how much or little water is coming from your ceiling, water should be caught or soaked up as much as possible, to avoid damage to your home. If you suspect your ceiling is leaking, pinpoint the areas where signs of a leak are visible and monitor the area closely. If water is dripping from your ceiling, invest in some waterproof sheets or tarps to catch the waterfall. Putting a bucket under the leak and timing how quickly it fills up, can give you an indication of the severity of your problem. If the bucket is filling quickly, you may need to call an emergency plumber.
Remove damaged or peeling plaster
If bits of your ceiling is flaking around a leak, carefully remove these pieces to save them from falling down later. Do not cut away any ceiling that is undamaged as the replacement ceiling only needs to cover the damaged area. This can help drain away excess water pooling on your ceiling, however, if you suspect your leak is quite big, leave this to a professional.
Puncture your ceiling to help with drainage
If a section of your ceiling is soft, push a screwdriver or pen through the location of the leak to help drain the water. This can help prevent the water pooling in your ceiling, relieving any further water damage. Place a bucket under the punctured area to catch any falling drips.
Contact a professional
There are only a few measures you can take at home before contacting a professional to fix your leak. Water leak detection experts from Aspect will be able to locate a pesky leak and swiftly begin repairs. Using state of the art technology, Aspect experts can locate and fix leaks with no disruption to your daily life and home.
