Water Damaged Ceilings And Walls

Usually, the only time a homeowner thinks about their walls and ceiling is when they are planning to redecorate. A less exciting time is when a problem is discovered. It might be a stain, a bubble, or a change in the texture. Unfortunately, this is often because of water damage. Restoration 1 of Charlottesville has the resources and expertise to both repair and restore your home from any water damage.

Water Damage Restoration in Charlottesville

What Are The Common Causes?

Usually a water stain on the ceiling comes from a plumbing leak that seeped through the ceiling. When the water evaporates, it can leave discolored mineral deposits on the ceilings and walls. It’s possible that a water line could have a pinprick hole and leak slowly over time. If a pipe shifts or gets moved, it can break completely. At times, poor planning up in the attic space allows condensation from metal elements to build up. 

If the A/C unit is not well maintained, a clogged rainline can overflow the drip pan. Here in Charlottesville, many homes have the HVAC mechanical equipment in the attic. Therefore, there’s a good chance that water will travel down through the ceiling.  

Oftentimes, water drips inside the home due to roofing problems. Shingles degrade over time and old shingles no longer protect the home from rain. Sometimes the flashing fails or the waterproofing membrane gets damaged. Even backed up gutters and leaky windows can cause leaks. 

Water damage to walls comes either from above or below. If the moisture source came from above, it can trickle down the wall. If water flows onto the floor to the baseboards, the porous nature of the sheetrock will “wick” water up the wall. 

Does The Color Matter?

Water damage can result in many different types of stains. Sometimes, the color can indicate the cause. 

For example, yellow splotches usually indicate a clean source of water. When water enters from the home’s exterior or a leak in the attic, the moisture gradually seeps into whatever porous surfaces are nearby. Generally, clean water and sheetrock produce a yellow, gold, or beige stain. 

Brown staining on the ceiling might be associated with moisture and mold. As moisture collects directly on the ceiling’s surface, it can form surface mold or fungi. Left untreated, this brown or tan stain can stay there forever even if the spore is no longer living.

Copper colored stains might indicate that water has been on metal long enough to cause rusty drips. Just covering up a problem like this will never end well. You must fix the underlying issues. 

A gray cast is a different problem. “Ghosting” is an unusual darkish colored pattern due to the updraft of air currents created by the heat of the light bulb. As the air moves upward, it carries dust and soot particulates. The dust particulates left behind can look like a gray shadow. (A mixture of ¼ bleach and water can be used to clean it up.) 

The Restoration 1 of Charlottesville Solution

For the serious stains, you need to have the original water problem professionally repaired. If you cover up a water stain without addressing the leak that caused it, you run the risk of even more serious structural or electrical damage. It is imperative to find and repair the cause of the water stain as soon as possible. Restoration 1 of Charlottesville will:

• Identify and repair the root cause  
• Repair or replace any damaged material
• Clean the stain with appropriate products for the situation 
• Match the existing ceiling texture
• Apply a base coat of stain-blocking primer 
• Cover the primer with ceiling paint 

For Water Damage Restoration Solutions in Charlottesville

If you see stains, you need to investigate the cause. If you have uncontrolled water in your home, you need help right away. Restoration 1 of Charlottesville is available 24/7. The water damage cleanup experts will arrive, quickly identify the source, make all necessary repairs and restore your home.  

At Restoration 1, customer service is the highest priority. All technicians are fully qualified and certified. Once they enter your home, you’ll be treated like family.