5 Steps To Mitigate A Water Damaged Ceiling

4/9/2021 (Permalink)

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Ceiling water damages need to be mitigated quickly.

One night you're at home resting in the living room with your favorite beverage, having a relaxing, lovely evening. As you lay back against the sofa, stretch out a little, and raise your eyes to the ceiling, and notice a bulging, brown patch on your white ceiling.

Your first thought is wondering what the cause could be and how to move forward. How can you possibly get rid of all ceiling water damage? What is the correct way to deal with a water damaged ceiling? 

If you are currently in this position, then this blog post is for you. The Blue Ridge water damage professionals at SERVPRO have the answers to all of your questions. Read on!

5 steps to mitigate ceiling water damage

By following the following five steps, you can minimize any water damage caused by a leak and move on to the restoration process. Mitigation happens before restoration takes place. Check out this post to learn more about the difference between mitigation and restoration. 

The five steps:

• Step 1: Prevent Further Damage

As soon as you notice the ceiling water damage, remove the furniture from the damaged area and place a bucket or bowl on the floor to catch the water.

• Step 2: Search for the source

Once that situation is stabilized, identify the leak's source. Is it coming from inside or outside the house? The timing of the leak is a good predictor of its source. If the leak only occurs when it is raining outside, then that is a clear sign that there is a roof leak.  

Leaks that arise continuously indicate that the leak originates from inside the property. Depending on the source, you might be able to stop it temporarily.

• Step 3: Stop the leak

After the leak's source has been located, you will want to ensure that the leak does not become a recurring issue. Stopping the leak may mean calling a local roofing contractor to perform roof repairs or calling a plumber to perform pipe repairs.  

• Step 4: Remove the Damaged Materials

Once the source of water damage is fixed, it is time to remove all the damaged material. Keep in mind that wet drywall can crumble; it is best to put down a plastic sheet to collect all the waste. All damaged materials should be placed in plastic bags for the trash. 

• Step 5: Dry out the water damaged ceiling

The last step in the mitigation process is to dry out the water damaged ceiling. To properly dry out any size water damage, you will want to get help from IICRC certified water restorers. The accredited professionals will use advanced drying techniques to ensure your property is dried correctly.  

Avoiding mold damage

It's essential to call an expert as soon as you detect ceiling water damage because the sooner a specialist comes to assess the issue, the sooner the water damage issue will be fixed. Mold growth is typical when water is not adequately removed. 

Mold growth can start in the first 24-48 hours in ideal conditions that include moisture. If left untreated, mold will quickly spread throughout your house. Here are two signs of mold growth. 

1. Musty odors (Mold will have a powerful, musty smell around the damaged area.)
2. Visible mold growth (Brown, dark-green, or black)

Address the situation calmly

Ceiling leaks aren't fun, but you don't have to be distressed when they happen. When you have the proper knowledge, you can confidently take complete control of the problem and quickly develop a solution. Panicking will only slow things down, and you will not be able to temporarily fix the problem until professional help arrives. With that being said, it is best to address the situation calmly.

When to call SERVPRO

When a disaster occurs, one can only do just a little without the proper knowledge; It is always wise to seek professional help as soon as possible to avoid secondary water damages. The faster you get an expert's assistance, the faster you'll get rid of the problem. 

The professionals at SERVPRO are insurance preferred water restorers that have been serving Blue Ridge customers since 1967. If you want your everyday life to be normal again after you have suffered damage from leaks in your ceilings, then SERVPRO is the most reliable option for you.