When we talk about water damage, all too often we think of it in terms of flooring or carpets or basement flooding. Why, because water flows downhill, and typically the lowest points in any home or business are going to be ground zero for any damage that may be done.
But what about ceilings? If you have a two or three story home, those ceilings are also part of a floor, namely the one above it. If you have a burst pipe in your second story bathroom, you may become so preoccupied with repairing the damage to the second floor flooring that you forget about what might be happening to the first floor ceiling. Still with me?
Water always flows downward, following the path of least resistance. From upper floors, the water will look for a way to get beneath the flooring and go to work on the ceiling and drywall of the level below. Ceiling material soaks up water and usually starts to sag, and if enough water is involved, the ceiling could collapse. If water remains inside your ceiling and is not properly treated, you may end up with considerable mold damage.
Of course with any case of mold damage, you need to locate the source of the water and shut it off. This prevents any more water from entering your home and also from additional damage being done.
All excess water will have to be removed from the area. This is usually done through use of a wet-dry vac or gas powered submersible pump. Which one you use depends, of course, on the depth and severity of the spill.
Do not go into a room if the ceiling is sagging. That means that there is a LOT of water putting pressure on the ceiling and if it collapses, a person standing in the wrong place could be seriously hurt. If you determine that it is safe, you can puncture the drywall with a screwdriver to release the water….just make sure you have a bucket or twelve down to catch it.
The area between a ceiling and the floor above it is going to be dark and warm….once you throw moist into the equation, the stage is set for mold to develop. This is why you need to get rid of the water and dry everything up as fast as you can. Once mold gets into the interior passages of your home, it becomes all but impossible to remove. Homes and businesses have been condemned because of out of control mold growth. Don’t let your home join the ranks of the more unfortunate.
In many cases, water damaged ceilings will have to be partially or totally replaced. Obviously this is a major job and should only be undertaken by a professional. Remember, just painting over water stains will not solve your problem. Not only will the stain reappear (the least of your problems), but the water damage remains and long term problems such as mold growth will only add to the inconvenience in your life and the cost to repair it properly.
Water Damage Local.com is your one stop source for all things water damage. Available 24/7, we are able to handle all of your water damage problems, be they the result of storms, flooding, burst pipes, whatever, and whether they affect your flooring, carpet, ceiling, walls, children, pets, etc (well, maybe not ALL of that….w don’t do children). Call today for a free estimate or phone consultation.
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