Water leaks are an
unfortunate reality—even in the ceiling. They can be incredibly damaging, too,
which makes it extremely important to take care of the problem as soon as
possible.
What are some of the
causes for a leak in the ceiling? And what kind of damage
can a ceiling water leak cause? Read below to learn more.
Potential Causes for Water Leaks in the Ceiling
This list isn’t
exhaustive, but here are a few potential causes for a leak in the ceiling:
Old Plumbing
Sometimes, there are
old valves that have been covered over that, after enough time, degrade and
start to drip. This is most common in homes that have been remodeled—especially
where DIY remodelers may not have taken care to remove old plumbing when
rerouting new plumbing to new locations.
Other times, the
plumbing has simply gotten old enough that joints and fittings have degraded
and started to drip. This is common in older homes that still utilize galvanized
steel pipes—but you’ll also see it when copper plumbing corrodes or when PVC
and plastic pipes and fittings degrade with age.
Sweating Pipes
Sweating pipes, while
not technically a leak, can cause similar damage to leaky pipes. When pipes
routed through the ceiling sweat, it’s a problem that needs to be corrected
before it can do further damage to the home’s structures.
Fixtures
Another issue to look
for is not the plumbing, but the fixtures attached to it. Noticing moisture
seeping from a downstairs ceiling? If you have an upstairs bathroom, laundry
room, or kitchen above it, then it’s smart to check the connections to faucets,
showers, toilets, and appliances. The leak may be stemming from one of these
locations where it can run into the flooring and from there, the structures
below.
Freezing
Pipes
If you have a sudden
leak in the winter—especially in a space that has been exposed to cold
temperatures—then the first thing to suspect is a burst pipe. When pipes
freeze, the water inside turns to ice, which causes it to expand. That
expansion can split pipes open relatively easily, which can result in a very
sudden, very massive leak once the pipe thaws out. This is one reason why it’s
recommended to let faucets drip when you expect extreme cold—not only because
flowing water can help prevent a full freeze, but also because if the pipes do
freeze, open valves can help let off enough pressure to prevent pipes from
bursting.
What Kind of Damage Can a Ceiling Leak Cause?
Because water takes the path
of least resistance, it can cause a lot of damage not just to a home’s ceiling,
but to other structures as it runs down. At the very least, you can expect
damage to the drywall or paneling that covers the ceiling, but a larger leak
can also cause the wood above the ceiling to degrade and rot with time. Slower
seeps may not cause obvious damage, but that kind of moisture left for
prolonged periods will result in mold and mildew growth within the home—a kind
of damage that will not only take a toll on the home’s structure, but worsen
indoor air quality as well.
What happens when water runs
down from the ceiling?
- Ceiling leaks can drip into wall cavities, causing mold to grow in insulation, damage to drywall and wallboards, and potentially even structural damage to the wall’s framework.
- If a ceiling leak is bad enough that water reaches the base of a wall or the home’s sill plate, it can pool here. When the problem happens long enough it can undermine the wooden support structures that connect the home to its foundation.
- Ceiling leaks can even drip onto the floor, which can wreak havoc on wood floors, carpeting, and other types of materials.
