Can Water Build Up for Days Then Finally Leak Through a Ceiling?

Sources of Water

• A leaky roof can drip onto the attic floor below it and seep into the ceiling below that. The stain in the ceiling does not have to be directly underneath the leak in the roof. After leaking through the roof, it could run down the rafter, dropping to the attic floor some distance away. Once it seeps through the floor it runs into the lowest spot on the ceiling and pools there, building up over time. A leaky roof is not the only possible source of a water stain on your ceiling. Ducts in a hot attic can condense moisture from the air. This moisture can run onto the attic floor and pool in the lowest part of the ceiling underneath. A leaking water pipe in the floor above can do the same.

Pooling and Leaking

• The water pooling indicated by the ceiling stain can take time to build up. Water coming from a roof leak some distance away may take awhile to reach the lowest spot in the ceiling, especially if it follows several paths to get there. Forming water through condensation also takes time. A water pipe with a small leak might not pool very fast. However, even if the leak is slow, the water can eventually burst forth from the ceiling and start pouring into the room below.

Warning

• The weight of ceiling fans and light fixtures can cause the ceiling to sag slightly around them, even if it is not visible to the naked eye. This makes water likely to pool around the fixture or fan. Because these devices are electrical, be careful to avoid shock hazards when working on a leak around them.

Preventing a Burst Ceiling

• Once the pooling water bursts through the ceiling, it can ruin furniture, books, photographs and everything else in the room below. However, the damage caused by pooling water is not limited to this. A damp ceiling can grow mold, and mold is a serious health hazard. It is also difficult and expensive to clean up, and it often requires the assistance of professionals. If you see water pooling in your ceiling, puncture the ceiling at that location with a nail to allow the water to drain out into a bucket below. Have backup buckets ready in case there is more than you anticipated. This way, the damage to your ceiling can be reduced. Immediately track down the source of the leak, and repair your ceiling.