We’re all aware of the familiar sound of a leak. The constant dripping is hard for any homeowner to ignore, and for good reason! When caught early, leaks can leave minimal damage that can be fixed with a few repairs. However, if a leak has been present for some time, it can take a toll on the structure of your home.

If you’ve encountered a leak in the past, it may have been stemming from your toilet, faucet, or other plumbing fixtures. But what do you do if water begins to leak from the ceiling? In this blog, we’re discussing the crucial steps to follow after spotting a ceiling leak.

Source of Leaks

Before we jump into the steps to take after noticing a leak from the ceiling, let’s start with how leaks come to be. Finding the source of the issue is essential to preventing the same situation from happening again.

If a bathroom or kitchen is located above the ceiling with a leak, it’s most likely a plumbing leak. This could be due to burst or corroded pipes in the plumbing system or a faulty appliance that utilizes a water supply, such as washing machines or dishwashers.

What to Do Next

After you’ve identified the source of the leak, you’re ready to jump into action to minimize the amount of water damage in your home. To manage a ceiling leak, follow these steps!

Poke a hole. As the circle of water on the ceiling grows, use a screwdriver to poke a hole in the center of the stain. This can allow built up water to drain and the drywall to air out.
Catch dripping water. When your home has a leak, you’ll want to make sure you’re minimizing the amount of water damage it endures. That starts with catching the water that is dripping from the ceiling with a bucket or large container, depending on the size of the leak. Use towels to soak up any excess water.
Turn on the fan. You’d be surprised how much drying power a floor fan has! Whether you’ve got one or four fans, bring them to the area of the leak to assist in drying up any moisture.
Call the professionals. With leaks, time is truly of the essence! It’s best to call your local plumbing team as soon as possible so we can come take a look and repair the leak before further damage occurs.

Baltimore Plumbing & HVAC Experts

At Albright's Mechanical Services, we're dedicated to providing high quality HVAC and plumbing services throughout Baltimore and the surrounding areas. For more information, give us a call at (410) 834-0148 or contact us online.