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Brown Spot on Ceiling After Water Damage
1/17/2018 (Permalink)
This large water spot was created due to a water leak on the floor above. Water spots can also be much smaller.
Yellow Stain on Ceiling After Water Damage
You’ve likely seen a brown sport or a yellow stain on ceiling drywall somewhere, like a living room ceiling. These yellow stains with light brownish borders are water spots, which are often caused by a roof or pipe leak above the ceiling where the spot is located.
Many DIY websites advice you to find and fix the cause of the leak and then apply latex paint on the spot on the ceiling to cover up the stain.
But you also need to check for moisture! If you have a water damage and don’t properly dry the area it affected, you are setting up an environment ready for mold growth.
Moisture Leads to Mold in Attic
Since we tend to see these water stains on a ceiling, we tend to spot the area of trouble coming from the attic. Some homeowners and commercial property managers that have called us have followed DIY advice websites but forgot to check for moisture. What this means is simply that they didn’t properly dry their attic after finding a water damage, which many times is caused by a roof leak. The result was an attic space that remained dark, warm, and humid. In other words, the attic became a prime spot for different types of mold growth.
The problem of indoor humidity is also common in places where hot water is used. For example, bathrooms where a hot shower is run at least once a day are prime spots for moisture problems. A simple solution is to turn on the exhaust fan after running hot water. This lets the humidity leave the room which will help with possible mold growth.
Underestimating the Water Damage Restoration Process
Many people underestimate the water damage restoration process, and we can understand why. On the surface, it all looks simple enough. Extract the water, set down drying equipment, and you’re done. However, there is science behind the decisions made by professional water damage restoration companies.
For us at SERVPRO of North Irving, every decision is data driven. Our technicians use a sophisticated program that uses psychometric measurements and principles to set just the right amount of drying equipment. We’re also trained to place that equipment in the correct places to maximize the efficiency of our professional machines. Finally, we visit every water damaged property every day to monitor atmospheric readings that tell us how well the drying process is going and if we need to make any changes.
What If I See a Water Spot on My Ceiling?
Don’t wait to get it taken care. Since the spot is a symptom of a problem in the space above it, delaying getting it fixed may result in further damage to your property.
SERVPRO of North Irving is a full service provider. If you find a water spot, we’ll do the following:
- Find the source of the leak and get it fixed.
The leak will likely be from a slowly leaking pipe or small roof damage. In the case of roof damage, we will install an emergency roof tarp to prevent other types of weather from entering your home. Our reconstruction team can give you a bid to permanently fix your roof, or we can work directly with your insurance company to process your roof damage claim.
- Check for wet structure and materials in your attic.
We will inspect your attic and find all the wet spots. Our team of technicians will set up the right professional equipment to start the drying process. We will monitor the equipment and atmospheric readings of your attic every day until we know its been dried to goal.
Any insulation that is wet will have to be removed. We will bag it and vacuum the area to get the space ready for new, dry insulation.
If we find that any material has been permanently damaged due to the water damage, it will be removed and replaced. It’s especially important to replace structural elements a home needs to stay stable like cross beams. Our reconstruction team will get involved if any rebuild needs to happen.
- Perform a mold inspection and, if needed, mold remediation.
If we find a mold problem in your attic, we will begin mold remediation steps. If the mold growth is small (under 25 contiguous feet), then Texas Mold Law allows us to start mold remediation immediately. If the mold growth is large (over 25 contiguous feet), then we are obligated to file the mold project with the State of Texas. We have handled both situations hundreds of times for all kinds of mold, and we will walk you through it every step of the way.
- Inspect your ceiling.
If your ceiling is intact, dry, and safe, it’s okay to leave it as is. If you’d like it repainted to match the rest of your ceiling, this can easily be scheduled.
If your ceiling has suffered permanent damage, we will cut out the damaged portion and dispose of it. A temporary ceiling cover will be placed to protect the room from the work happening in the attic. The damaged portion can be rebuilt by our reconstruction team and painted to look at like the rest of the ceiling.
Filing an Insurance Claim
If you choose to file an insurance claim, we’ll be there to help. We routinely work with every insurance company to process our customer’s claims.
Once you receive a claim number, the administrator assigned to your file will make contact with your insurance adjuster and begin the paperwork. We will send your adjuster daily updates and documentation of the work being performed. If you ever have any questions about your claim, your administrator will be ready to help.
Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration, Dallas Texas
SERVPRO of North Irving is a water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company in Dallas Texas. We have performed work in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, McKinney, Grapevine, Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, and other North Texas communities for over 30 years. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.
Our crews are available for dispatch 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We are faster to any size disaster, and we can be reached 24/7 at (972) 986-7677. Call us any time!
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