The Guide For Water Leaks From Your Ceiling
When you have those moments when you look up at your ceiling, the last thing you want to see is water dripping down to hit you on the head. Should you experience such a situation, your first reaction might be to panic. However, while it can be a potentially serious plumbing situation, it’s important that you try to figure out why it’s happening, where the leak is originating from, and whether or not you think you can solve the problem yourself or if it requires the skills of a professional plumber to fix. To help you with these and other related things about a leaking ceiling, here’s some advice to remember from our team here at Boss Plumbing.
What Causes Water Leaks in Ceilings?
When you first notice your ceiling dripping water, you’ll want to know what’s causing this plumbing problem. Here at Boss Plumbing, we often find that customers who live in older homes have rusted or corroded pipes that are letting water leak into their ceilings.
In multi-level homes that have upstairs bathrooms, a leaking toilet or an overflowing toilet will most definitely produce water leaks in a ceiling. Actually, we find common toilet problems such as these are very often the cause of water leaks through a ceiling. Fortunately, many problems associated with a malfunctioning toilet can be addressed as DIY projects.
Finally, should you have an older water heater that is near the end of its life, this too can produce a ceiling leak. Many times, water heater problems will also be accompanied by your pipes making noises that can indicate a pressure buildup. If this goes unnoticed, your pipes may burst and produce a water leak through your ceiling that could result in a major plumbing emergency.
Signs of a Water Leak in Your Ceiling
Along with the obvious sign of water dripping onto your head or perhaps your furniture or other possessions, there are other ways you’ll be able to tell that you have a water leak in your ceiling.
The most common sign is when you notice places on your ceiling that are discolored, which is a classic sign of water damage. Should your home have an older plumbing system in place, this could mean your cast iron pipes need to be replaced with more modern copper pipes that are made to withstand rust and corrosion.
Other signs that may indicate a water leak in your ceiling include peeling or bubbled paint, musty smells that may indicate the presence of mold or mildew, and a water bill that inexplicably starts to increase month after month. Should you notice any of these warning signs of a ceiling water leak, you may want to contact us here at Boss Plumbing for a professional evaluation of the situation.
How Serious is a Ceiling Water Leak?
Depending on where the leak is coming from, how much water is leaking into your ceiling, and how long the leak has been occurring, a ceiling water leak can range from a minor problem to a major plumbing emergency that requires immediate service from a Boss Plumbing professional plumber here in Los Angeles.
Should you notice that part or all of your ceiling is sagging, this could mean a collapse is in the works. This can occur when house pipes burst after becoming frozen during a very cold winter night. Along with making sure you winterize your outdoor plumbing to prevent this disaster, you should also know where your water valves are located and how to shut them off as fast as possible. By doing so, you may be able to limit the damage done to your home and make any plumbing repairs needed easier and more affordable.
How to Fix Water Leaks in Your Ceiling
Once you spot a water leak in your ceiling, there are things you can do to get the problem fixed in a fast manner.
Perhaps the most important will be to figure out if you’ve got bathroom plumbing issues, kitchen plumbing problems, or maybe even a water heater that needs to be repaired or replaced.
If you find the problem to be a toilet or water heater that is leaking or maybe a drain that needs to be cleaned that is sending water into your ceiling, these may be somewhat easy DIY fixes. However, if it’s clear the water leak has been going on for an extended period of time and you notice sags in your ceiling or other serious plumbing issues, let our professional plumbers here at Boss Plumbing take care of things for you and your family.
Whether you handle your ceiling as a DIY project or call in our Boss Plumbing pros, it’s crucial that you try to get your ceiling dried out as soon as possible. To do so, we recommend you use a dehumidifier and fans, since these can quickly draw out moisture and circulate air that will help with the drying process. Along the way, also open some nearby windows to help with ventilation, since this may help reduce the chances of mold or mildew forming. Depending on how wet your ceiling is, it may take a few days or perhaps a month for it to become completely dry.
Repair Time and Costs
If your ceiling has suffered extensive water damage, expect the repair job to take several weeks. Even though the ceiling may dry out in as little as three days, applying plaster and drywall and making the necessary plumbing repairs is a time-consuming and delicate process that should be done by trained professionals. As for the average cost of the plumbing repair services and replacing the drywall, you may pay anywhere from $500 to maybe $2500 or more if the damage was extensive.
How to Prevent Ceiling Water Leaks
There are many ways to prevent ceiling water leaks. The easiest way is to not ignore small problems that may turn into much bigger problems later on. These can include a leaking water heater that needs to be repaired or maybe a pipe or drain that keeps giving you problems.
It’s also a good idea to have new pipes installed or to insulate pipes inside and outside your home prior to cold weather in order to prevent them from freezing up and bursting.
Call Us Today to Protect Your Ceiling
Since it is usually pretty easy to prevent water leaks into your home’s ceiling, call us today here at Boss Plumbing to learn about our innovative Los Angeles plumbing services and how we can service your home’s plumbing in a timely manner and at an affordable price. Rather than wait until a disaster takes place with your ceiling, contact us today and keep your home’s plumbing system in great shape.
