Stains on ceiling a sure indication of a leak
So you recently noticed stains on the ceiling. Thank goodness it is only a stain and not the drip-drip of water on your head. A stain on the ceiling isn’t necessarily a sign of impending doom but it is a sure sign that you have a leak, albeit a small one.
If you live in a single storey house the first step is to grab a stepladder and torch and mosey on up into the attic space. Note the location of the stain on the underside of the ceiling and find your way to the same spot. If the stain is located close to your geyser or water pipes, closer investigation will reveal the cause. In either instance you will need to call out a plumber, unless you have some plumbing experience.
If the stain is not close to the geyser, or water pipes, take a look at the roof tiles. It’s not common for roof tiles to slip, but it does happen, as does a broken roof tile. It is also important to note that if it is a roof tile that is the cause of a leak, this may not be in the exact spot as the stain, since water can run down roof trusses and appear in another area. If you do this investigation during daylight hours you should easily be able to spot the problem.
A slipped tile can quite easily be manipulated back into place, but for a broken tile you will need to remove tiles around the area to be able to slip in a new tile and replace the surrounding tiles. If you are unable to locate the source from inside the attic space it may be necessary to take the stepladder outdoors to do a visual inspection on the roof itself to check flashing and ridge caps. If in any doubt, call in a professional to undertake this inspection and repair for you.
If you live in a double storey house in most cases a water stain is as a result of leakage in a bathroom or outdoor patio above your downstairs living spaces. Check the grout around the edge of tiles, and particularly in a shower cubicle; if the grout looks okay move on to inspecting any sealer around the shower door.
Where a stain on the ceiling occurs in an apartment block or lower level townhouse you need to immediately contact the tenant above you or the Body Corporate to ensure that urgent action is undertaken by the resident.
After fixing the cause of the leak you will need to repaint the ceiling. Generally this means painting the entire ceiling, as any patch-ups will stick out like a sore thumb. Make sure the stained area is dry before you paint – you can use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process – and use a quality ceiling paint to cut down on the time spent painting.
Article courtesy of EasyDIY
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