You were probably going about your day like usual when all of a sudden you noticed something strange-looking on your ceiling. Nothing’s worse than being faced with water damage to your home, especially when that damage is on your ceiling where it can be difficult to reach or inspect. Fortunately, the team at Total Restore Inc. is here to help you deal with this challenging situation with several useful tips and strategies. You can count on our water damage restoration service and state-of-the-art equipment to help get your home back to the way it was prior to the ceiling damage.
Assess the Situation
After spotting the damage, your first concern is wondering how to repair ceiling water damage. The first step is to move any valuables, furniture, or other items out from underneath the damaged area. Next, grab a mop and bucket to clean up as much of the residual water on the floor as possible. After the initial cleanup, placing a waterproof tarp below the leaking ceiling can help contain the mess.
There’s a good chance that your ceiling covering is made of drywall or plaster. These types of materials are known to absorb water once they get wet and then disperse it in all directions. If the ceiling continues to leak, it’s a good idea to control exactly where the leaking water goes. This can be achieved by making a small hole directly in the center of the leak by using a screwdriver or a similar item. Controlling the flow of the leak is a great way to contain the damage and reduce health risks from standing water, moisture, or even mold growth until your home can receive professional attention.
Locate the Source of the Leak
The next step in the process is to identify and locate the source of the ceiling water leak. When it comes to ceiling leaks in particular, tracking down the source of the leak can be difficult. This is due to the water’s unique ability to travel long distances from the initial source of the leak. Even when the solution seems simple, such as a bathroom located directly above the leak, you may still run into challenges. In this bathroom example, the leak could be originating from a leaking faucet, failed caulk line, or a loose supply line.
If the leak cannot be identified, professionals will likely be required to drill a hole and remove a section of your ceiling to spot it. One old trick you can use to spot the leak is to lay sheets of toilet paper across the ceiling joists or where pipes run. You’ll be able to see how the toilet paper reacts to the moisture, helping you track down the source of the leak.
Dry the Leak
After identifying the source of the leak, it’s essential that you begin the process of drying out the wet or damaged areas of your ceiling to prevent further risks to your health. Especially vital for ceiling cavities, moisture can become trapped above the drywall and create the potential for mold growth. A small leak may dry on its own but larger leaks will require opening the ceiling. Once opened, the best way to dry the area is with a commercial dehumidifier. These specialized units work by pulling moisture out of the air and out of the damaged drywall while simultaneously releasing heat. We recommend contacting the professionals at Total Restore Inc. before attempting any major ceiling structure removals to prevent the risk of injury. Our team has the latest repair tools and equipment to get the job done safely and promptly to get your home back to normal.
Repair the Ceiling
Once the damage has been repaired and dried, it’s time to get your ceiling back to the way it was prior to the leak. It’s frequently easier to simply remove all of the damaged drywall and replace it with new material. The same is true for painting as well since larger areas are easier to blend compared to small patches. These new materials will give your ceiling a brand-new appearance, helping to erase the memory of a water-damaged ceiling!
From start to finish, you can count on the professionals at Total Restore Inc for repairing your ceiling water damage. Don’t put the health and well-being of both you and your loved ones at risk from a damaged ceiling! Our team has the expertise to diagnose ceiling leaks, clean-up water damage, repair the damaged areas, and make your ceiling look like new once again. Contact us today!