After a storm, an old roof with missing screws and shingles will often form a leak. If that hole in a roof stays, the leak and water damage will only grow. Unless a water removal team or a licensed contractor fixes the leak, the damage to the ceiling will remain and worsen.
Here are some easy ways to identify water damage on a ceiling after a storm causes a leak.
Brown Spots
Brown spots look like leaks of rusty water on a ceiling. Property owners often see them forming around air vents in the case of poor bathroom ventilation. These spots indicate a past or present leak, so it’s best to check the roof and attic when noticing them on a ceiling.
Odors
Odors are the first sign of mold growth in a home. The smell will give mold away even if mold is invisible. Mold will often affect people with asthma or other lung problems before affecting others.
Mold Spots
Sometimes, mold spots come before the smells come. Mold growth is the most apparent sign of water intrusion in a home. It is also the most severe reason for hiring water removal specialists.
Mold can proliferate well within 48 hours, so property owners must act fast to eliminate the problem.
Buckling Spots or “Blisters”
Often, the drywall will start to buckle after significant water damage. Once it becomes waterlogged, it will swell, bow, and eventually come loose from the screws. Sagging spots usually look like giant blisters on a ceiling, where the drywall paper separates from the rock.
Paint/Paper Separation
Sometimes the drywall doesn't absorb the water, or the water avoids it entirely. In those cases, the water will affect the paint and wallpaper. Homeowners can identify this problem by peeling or chipping sections of paint and wallpaper around a ceiling.
Waterlogged wallpaper will almost always peel away from the baseboard. That space is often the weakest bonding area.
Sweating or Heavy Condensation
If a home has high humidity, the walls may start to "sweat” with condensation. When a roof leaks, the attic space and living areas become incredibly humid environments. Besides causing mold growth and odors, damp areas with extreme temperature changes will sweat profusely.
Usually, the sweating on ceilings will gather around screws and joints of drywall sheets. It’s most visible where contractors taped and mudded the drywall together when they installed the drywall.
Austin Fire and Flood | Water Damage Restoration
Many people don't know where to start after water damage to their homes. If you don’t feel comfortable fixing the water damage yourself, contact a water removal and damage restoration specialist. Austin Fire and Flood can restore any home with their years of dedicated experience.
Austin Fire and Flood is Texas's premier water damage restoration company. They provide free inspections for each client and perform repairs at low costs to help homeowners. They are always customer-focused and get the job done right the first time.
Call Austin Fire and Flood at (512) 912-6814 today to schedule water damage restoration in Windsor Hills, Austin TX.
