Ceiling and Roof Leak Water Damage
Stains, bubbling paint and sagging drywall mean water is above your ceiling. Restoration finds the source, dries the attic and ceiling and repairs the damage.
Ceiling water damage is damage to drywall or plaster ceilings caused by roof leaks, upstairs plumbing, bathroom overflows or attic AC drain lines. Water from above is a Class 3 loss in the IICRC S500 standard because it soaks ceilings, insulation, walls and floors on the way down.
If a ceiling is sagging or bulging, stay out from under it and keep people away. Put a bucket down, find and stop the source if you can, then call. A sagging ceiling can fall without warning.
Common sources
- Storm damage, missing shingles or worn flashing on the roof.
- Ice dams that push melting snow under shingles.
- Leaking toilets, tubs and showers on the floor above.
- Clogged AC condensate lines and rusted drain pans in attics.
- Condensation from poorly vented attics.
How it is repaired
- The source is found and stopped, and a roofer or plumber makes the fix.
- Wet insulation in the attic is removed and replaced.
- Saggy or soaked drywall is cut out and the cavity is dried.
- Moisture readings confirm the framing is dry before new drywall goes up.
- The ceiling is patched, primed with a stain-blocking primer and painted.
Storm damage to a roof is often covered by homeowners insurance, while worn-out roofing usually is not. See the insurance guide.
Need help right now?
Call or send the form. Your request goes to an independent local restoration company that serves your area, and they contact you to set up an inspection and a written estimate.
Call now(940) 274-9880- Free to call or request an estimate
- Independent local restoration companies
- Water removal, drying, mold and repairs
- Photos and drying logs you can share with your insurer
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Blue Star Water Damage is a free information and referral service, not a restoration contractor. Calls and estimate requests are connected to independent restoration companies that serve your area. Those companies set their own prices and do the work.
From first call to finished repairs
The restoration industry follows the IICRC S500 standard for water damage. Here is what that looks like in plain words.
- 01
Call
Tell us what happened and where. We connect you with an available local restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- 02
Inspect
The crew stops the source, checks for electrical hazards, classifies the water and maps how far moisture has spread with meters and thermal imaging.
- 03
Mitigate
Standing water is extracted, ruined materials are removed and drying equipment is set up. Moisture readings are logged every day.
- 04
Restore
Once materials hit their dry goal, repairs begin: drywall, flooring, paint and anything else the water took out.
- 1First hours
Stop and protect
Water shut off, power checked, valuables moved, photos taken.
- 2Hour 2 to 8
Extract
Pumps and extractors remove standing water from floors and carpet.
- 3Day 1 to 4
Dry and monitor
Air movers and dehumidifiers run while moisture is checked daily.
- 4Day 4 and on
Rebuild
Drywall, floors and finishes are repaired after the dry goal is met.
Where we connect homeowners
Local pages with area facts, common causes and local conditions.
Common questions
Is a ceiling water stain an emergency?
A dry old stain is not urgent, but a new or growing stain means active water. A sagging or dripping ceiling is urgent and can collapse.
Can I just paint over a water stain?
Only after the leak is fixed and the ceiling is fully dry. Use a stain-blocking primer first or the stain will bleed through.
Does insurance cover a roof leak?
Sudden storm damage is often covered. Leaks from an old or poorly maintained roof are usually not.
How long does it take to dry a wet ceiling?
Usually a few days once wet insulation is removed and air can reach the cavity.