What To Do with Wet Stains On Your Ceiling
Wet stains on your ceiling could be caused by several things. If it occurs on a lower level of your home, it is probably a plumbing issue. Check the floor above for leaky drains or overflowing toilets. When a leak happens on the top floor of your home be mindful of where your AC unit is located. Sometime AC drip pans will overflow in the attic and cause damage below. If you have checked all these possibilities, it is time to call a roofer.
Exam Stains
First, a creditable roofer will use a moisture meter on your stains to determine if they are caused by an active leak. The perimeter of the stain will be marked with a pencil line to ensure the stain does not grow after a repair has been made. Measurements are taken to a landmark that can be found on the outside of the home. The stains will be dated, documented and photographed for future records.
Find the cause of the leak
The attic space should be inspected over the stain to see where the water is coming from on the outside. If the stain is in a bathroom, pipe collars on the roof need to be inspected because they are typically over sinks and drains. Leaks near skylights are almost always caused by skylight failure.
Inspect the Roof
Next, it is time to inspect the roof. Using the measurement from the leak to an exterior landmark the problem area can be located. The roofer will check the area of the leak carefully. Sometimes the cause of the leak is happening higher up the roof because water tends to travel.
Next Step
Once the cause of the leak is found, it is time to determine what needs to be done to stop it. Small issues like exposed nails, shingle blow offs and damaged pipe collars can normally be fixed. Older roofs are difficult to repair. Sometimes the repair can cause more leaks if the shingles are in poor condition. In cases where the roof is very old or damaged, it might be time to replace it if leaks are happening inside.
Call Now
Lastly, if you have leaks in your home and need a professional roofer to determine what needs to be done to stop them, call Bayside Exteriors today.