What could be causing these odd, slowly spreading stains on my bedroom ceiling?
6/5/2015 at 3:00:38 PM
These stains appeared on my bedroom ceiling some time in the last couple of years. Started out as one very small stain and now there are 2 stains. One small, one large. Finally pulled out the ladder today and see that up close, the paint is cracking and the drywall gives a little to the pressure of my finger. They kind of look like grease stains more than water stains. Also, when I tap on the ceiling, those spots sound a little "hollow".
Doesn't look like water to me but I know nothing. You guys do. Help! What can it be???
Thanks for taking a look.
6/5/2015 at 4:04:11 PM
Hi Deb,
It's definitely moisture of some kind. A small leak can take a long time to work its way through your insulation, sometimes years. Once it does, you need to find the source and deal with it. Something like this can even be condensation dripping from nails through the roof. The alternative is that you have an animal up there and you are seeing the litter box. If you have a bathroom above you, it could be as simple as the grout or caulking aging and cracking. If your toilet moves at all, you should get it reset as the gasket could be leaking.
Just some quick thoughts off the top of my head.
Good luck with it!
Jim Kuzma
Kettleby Handyman
6/5/2015 at 7:34:09 PM
Deb,
I would suggest that the stains are from water. The water may also have some sap or roofing tar mixed in with it, thus the greasy texture. I'd suggest having the roof checked (and from the under side) and make an informed decission from there.
6/5/2015 at 7:56:18 PM
It would be helpful to know exactly what is above your bedroom - is there another floor or room, or an attic, access to the attic maybe?
If there is storage/attic space above you it would make it easier for your neighborhood handyman to go in and have a look, but sooner than later is a wise idea.
Sometimes these things which, as mentioned, take a long time to appear, like pinhole leaks in copper, can suddenly just "go".
You have the right idea asking about it, a bit more info as above would be helpful in diagnosing...
6/5/2015 at 11:58:37 PM
Looks like you have a slow water leak. Is there a bathroom or kitchen directly above you? If not that, then a leak in your roof? Best to open up ceiling and locate the source before problem gets worse.
6/9/2015 at 10:10:09 PM
It appears to be a moisture issue. Could also come from high humidity.
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