Wet Patch On Bedroom Ceiling

Did you find a damp patch on your ceiling when you went to bed? Have you discovered a musty smell in your bathroom only to find a water stain on your ceiling? Are there no leaks in your ceiling? Did you try to find the leak which caused the damp patch and drive yourself mad with no results?

If yes, you might have a damp patch on your ceiling that wasn't started by a water leak . When you find a water stain in your household, the most common reaction is to try to find the leak. However, if you didn't find it, there might be another problem. That said, there are plenty of local restoration companies that can help confirm there was no leak or broken pipe.

Several other problems may cause damp patches, and a water stain is probably the tip of the iceberg. It is very important to find the origin of the issue and act rapidly to solve the problem at its root. Water stains on your ceiling could be an early sign of water damage. You can learn more about what water damage looks like here.

A damp patch is only the most outstanding effect of moisture inside your house. In the beginning, a small patch can seem inoffensive. But really, if it isn't dealt with in time, it can become bigger and cause lots of problems.

Moisture is known to cause problems in people's health, especially in the respiratory system. Therefore, it's really important to deal with the root of the moist problem so as to care for you and your family's well being. If you have trouble identifying the source of the damage, you may need to consult with a water damage restoration company.

Wet Spots on Your Ceiling?

RestorationUSA can help you get a free inspection to ensure you don't have a leak. We can also help locate and remediate the underlying cause of ceiling stains.

Call now

Signs of Moisture Inside House

Damp patches never come alone. Therefore, you can find the problem and detect it in its first phases by being aware of a series of signs:

Mold or Mildew inside your house: it can grow on walls, floors, or ceilings.
Musty smell, especially in your bathroom.
Dark or discolored patches on walls or plaster
Cold or damp walls, floors, or ceilings.
Wallpaper and paint peeling
Excessive condensation on windows

What causes a wet spot on ceiling?

A water stain or wet spot on ceilings is caused by excess moisture, most commonly in the form of a leak. There are many other causes though, such as:

Broken or cracked windows
Upstairs toilets with clogged sinks, shower drains, and overflowing toilets
Leaky radiators with water losses (this may be dangerous and should be inspected by professionals)
Condensation of water
Plumbing damage and burst pipes (see common causes of pipe bursts here)
A blocked guttering system that isn't draining rainwater effectively
Excessive moss and algae growing under the tiles causing dampness
Chimneys, especially older ones which aren't damp-proof.

It is important that, if you find a damp patch, you act rapidly to prevent long-term damage to your ceiling and any further problem. A water stain on your ceiling could be a red flag and it is my advice that you find the cause of the problem before jumping in any expensive and unnecessary repairs. Luckily, most of the causes for these are usually easy to fix and are affordable.

How do I fix a wet spot on my ceiling?

It is important to have in mind that, if you find a damp patch, this might be only one of the effects of a deeper and more complicated problem. Therefore, you shouldn't try to approach the water stein recklessly: you should first discover and deal with the source of the problem.

Step 1: Identify the root of the problem and repair it.

Your priority is to first find the source of the problem. If the damp patch wasn't caused by a water leak, you should look at other places in your house: windows, plumbing, pipes. The source could be an upstairs bathroom (clogged sinks, shower drains, and overflowing toilets) or a leaky radiator.

There are lots of cases in which the source of a water stain on ceilings isn't that evident: water does not always come from above like rain. Of course, the location of the patch can guide you, but It is highly advised to seek professional help, especially for this step. Whatever the cause of the problem might be, it needs to be fixed. If the source isn't found and repaired, damp patches will reappear or grow.

Step 2: Clean the patch

Once you have dealt with the main problem, you can deal with the damp patch itself. The best way to clean the area is with the use of bleach solvent (one part of bleach and three parts of warm water). It's mandatory for this process to wear protection: goggles and gloves. You should reach the damp patch with a ladder and apply the solution with a clean sponge. Then wipe the damp area with a clean cloth and once it is completely dry (it is recommended to wait for a few days) you'll have to cover the ceiling with painter's tape.

STEP 3: Apply a base coat of stain-blocking primer

Once the stain is completely dry, the best option to cover it is an oil-based, mold-resistant, stain-blocking primer. Interior latex paints are a poor choice because they are water-soluble. Mold-resistant, stain-blocking primers are water-insoluble and water stains are blocked.

Stain Blocking Primer

If you make a purchase after clicking this link, we make a small commission at no cost to you. Our Pick

STEP 4: Cover the area with ceiling paint

For your ceiling to be as good as new and the color shade to be uniform, you should paint over the primed area. At this point, you can use almost any ceiling paint over the oil-based primer. Your primary concern should be to find paint to match the color of the rest of your ceiling.

Prevention and Restoration

In order to prevent damp patches as well as to fix them, the most responsible thing to do is to seek professional help. If the source of the problem isn't fixed, the stains will return and grow, generating long-term issues both in your house and, –if it develops further– your health.

Luckily, here at RestorationUSA, we work with specialized technicians that offer their services to prevent, locate, and fix moisture problems.

Wet Patch On Bedroom Ceiling