Once you notice a water stain spreading on your ceiling or walls, it can be hard to not notice it. Not only is this feature unsightly, but it can be a huge red flag that something is wrong with your structure.
Water stains are caused by a build-up of liquid behind your walls, within the ceiling, or in the attic. When this water evaporates, the minerals that it carries are left behind, causing a brown or yellow patch on the surface.
If you have water stains in your home, it’s important to find the culprit as soon as possible. Ignoring the water stain will only cause it to get bigger or damage the integrity of your home.
Water stains are most often caused by external factors like rain and snow. These weather elements can make their way into your home through a damaged roof.
If you have cracked or missing shingles, water can slip into your attic and pool up throughout the walls and ceilings. Poorly installed fixtures, such as skylights, chimneys, and vents, are another common cause.
Water stains can also come from inside the home. This might be the case if the stain is near an upstairs bathroom or a major pipe.
If you’re short on time or cash, you might have the urge to simply paint over the water stain. But, ultimately, ignoring the problem will only make it worse. You should fix the leak causing the stain first.
Determining the cause of the stain is important to decide the type of contractor you call. For example, internal causes will likely require a plumber.
On the other hand, if something is wrong with your roof, you will need a professional roofer to come inspect the problem. They can repair small sections causing the leak, or replace your whole roof if needed.
The expert will evaluate the extent of damage behind the stain. From there, they might recommend you replace the section of the wall or ceiling. Or, if the damage is minimal, you might be able to fix it cosmetically with a bleach-based cleaner and a fresh coat of paint.
Here at Mid-Atlantic Gutters & More, we are Maryland’s premier home exterior contractors. We have the wealth of experience and industry knowledge needed to provide high-quality roofing services for commercial and residential buildings.
We can evaluate the damage to your structure and complete the repairs at an affordable price. Or, if you need a whole new roof, we can do that too. There is no job too big or too small for Mid-Atlantic Gutters!