At some point in your life, you will likely look up toward the ceiling and see an unsightly brown, water stain. You’ll quickly be searching the web for “how to get rid of a water stain on my ceiling.” Of course, it’s imperative to stop the spread of the leak before it damages the rest of the ceiling, the carpet, and furniture. However, to solve the problem, you must find the source. Let’s have a closer as Gotcha Covered Contracting breaks it down.
What is Causing the Water Stain on My Ceiling?
Leaking Pipes
Being one of the most common causes of water damage, water pipes can become damaged from freezing and expanding during the winter season. This happens even in well-insulated and adequately constructed buildings. Other times, the leak may be due to corrosion or wear caused by age.
Damaged Waterproofing
Most modern roofs should incorporate some type of plastic waterproof membrane to prevent any moisture that gets past the roofing from seeping into the rest of the building’s structure. However, these barriers can be damaged from a variety of causes including particulate debris from severe weather conditions, high volumes of foot traffic on the roof, and burrowing animals that have sheltered inside the structure.
General wear and tear is likely to cause some waterproofing damage, but the causes mentioned above are more likely to happen in buildings with poorly constructed roofs.
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Unit Problems
The specifications of HVAC units vary greatly, and some are more likely than others to experience problems or break down altogether. So, if you do experience a leak, it may not be that your pipes are cracked even though you might see water dripping from them. Instead, your HVAC may have a broken insulation ring, or it might be emitting excess moisture. If your AC smells like a skunk you might have some serious issues.
Furthermore, the issue may instead be caused by improper HVAC installation or the wrong kind of unit being used for the building’s heating and air conditioning requirements.
Substandard Roofing or Skylight Installation
Although damaged waterproofing can be caused by the series of problems already listed, water can still get into your home if the roof’s structure is compromised. This often happens because the roof either isn’t designed to endure the exposure to the weather in the region or because the contractor didn’t properly install the roof.
Alternatively, moisture can sneak past both the original roof and the waterproofing material due to modifications to the roof. This type of leak is commonly due to an improperly installed skylight or window.
Aged Roofing
At a certain point, everything gets old and starts to break down. And roofs, no matter the material they are made from, do eventually wear out as well. When roofs do begin to reach the end of their lifespan, you’re likely to experience all of those listed above. When these arise, they might lead to internal moisture damage. Without addressing the cause, you put your home at serious risk.
While repairs and upkeep can reduce the rate at which you’ll need to be vigilant against the dreaded brown spot, eventually you’ll need the help of certified experts to keep your ceilings dry. Gotcha Covered Contracting has seen some of the worst cases of leaking roofs, and we’ll use that experience to ensure your home is free of all leaks.
If you have a water-stained ceiling, contact us at 724-581-8147 or send an email describing your issue. We offer regular roof inspections and will also inspect your ceiling to determine the cause of your water stains.
