There can be several causes of water stains, so you need to understand the problem so you can make the right repair decision.
Common Causes of Water Stains
In most cases, the cause of the water stain is whatever is right above the ceiling. It could be a leaking roof, water pipe, or something else. Water can run along pipes or rafters, before dripping onto the ceiling, making it difficult to target exactly where the leak is coming from.
Another cause could be high humidity. Air ducts or pipes could sweat, the condensation dripping onto the ceiling and leaving a stain.
If the cause is from a leaking roof, then it will need to be determined what is causing the leak. It could be loose or missing shingles or flashing. It could also be caused by an ice dam if the leak seems to occur after periods of freezing temperatures and snow.
Knowing the cause can help you determine the best method of repairing the problem.
Fix the Cause, Then the Stain
You need to take care of the cause of the leak before you repair the stain, otherwise, you’ll just be making the same repair over and over again. Once the leak is taken care of, check and see if the stain is cosmetic or if there was damage to the wall or ceiling.
If there was damage, you’ll have to have that repaired; if it is merely a stain, you will want to use a stain-killing primer before painting. If you don’t, the stain will probably come through the new paint and you will be back to square one.
Don’t Ignore Your Stain
The water stain in your home or business won’t just go away. Whatever caused the stain will continue damaging the structure. The sooner you repair the cause of the stain, the less money it will cost and the less time it will take to repair it. Let AMC911 Crawl Space & Foundation Repair help you restore your building’s stability, safety, and comfort. Contact us today to learn more about water stains and how we can help!
