Water Damage Due To Roof Leak

Affected ceiling paint will darken and ceiling plaster may bubble and expand.

Water damage due to roof leak.

If there signs of water damage or dripping water coming from the ceiling that is directly below an attic space or directly below the roof surface itself there is almost no question that the true cause is a hole or other type of damage in the shingles or other roofing material that make up the roof system. Roof leak repairs must be make immediately. Water damage from a roof leak doesn t just create ugly spots on the ceiling and walls. Moisture leads to mold and mold spreads.

Even if the roof leak is caused by a windstorm or a tree. Ceilings exposed to water damage are more at risk due to gravity. If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures. Identifying roofing system leaks.

If the ceiling leak is caused by a roof problem it s important to find the true source of the leak which may be somewhere far removed from the water stain. Worse mold can be deadly so it s important to prevent it from growing from the start. If there is no attic or the size of the leak is really big it will damage the interior ceiling. Some roof leaks are tough to locate.

The leaking water also will damage paint and plaster on nearby walls. According to the insurance information institute homeowners insurance may help pay for repairs if for instance your drywall is drenched after your water heater ruptures or an upstairs pipe bursts and water saturates the ceiling below. Water damage is one of the most common causes of home insurance claims according to the insurance services office iso water damage claims are the second largest frequent insurance claim following wind and hail damage. Most homeowners insurance policies help cover water damage if the cause is sudden and accidental.

So remove affected ceiling panels or boards first. Claims due to water damage impacts 1 in 50 homeowners each year. Unlike a drippy faucet a dripping ceiling cannot wait. You don t want them sagging or collapsing.

A standard homeowners insurance policy will cover water damage and roof leaks unless they re the result of gross negligence on your part. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. Accordingly in most cases when water damage is sustained as a result of a flood windstorm roof or window failure or even a leak emanating from an upstairs unit the roof or an exterior wall.