Monday, October 7, 2013

Troubleshoot A Leak In The Living Room Ceiling

A water leak above a ceiling is a serious issue.


A leak above a ceiling is a very serious problem. At best, it will cause water damage, but at worst, it can cause the entire ceiling to collapse or encourage the growth of hazardous mold. The first step is troubleshooting the leak in a ceiling to determine the cause. Once this has been pinpointed, you can proceed to fix the leak before it gets any worse.


Instructions


1. Observe the area when it rains. If the living room ceiling only leaks when it rains, this is an indication that you have a hole in your roof. You will need to call a roofing contractor to fix this leak before fixing the ceiling.


2. Observe the area when someone takes a bath or shower. If a bathroom or pipes are directly above the area that leaks, this could be an indication that you have a plumbing issue.


3. Cut away the drywall over the leaky area. Use a utility knife, and cut away a small square where it leaks.


4. Tighten up any loose pipe joints. Use a pipe wrench to tighten up the joints on the pipe if that is what is causing the leak. Twist in a clockwise motion to tighten the pipe.


5. Create a drywall patch. Cut a new piece of drywall to fit the area you cut away. Nail it up, and then tape and mud the edges. You will then need to paint the patched area to match the rest of your ceiling.

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