Water Damage Restoration: Attics And Ceilings

Moisture entering the home through the attic or ceiling is a problem. Every home is different and the source of a water intrusion can be complicated to diagnose. Professional water damage restoration teams like those at Alert Disaster in Bakersfield specialize in finding and repairing the source of water damage in your home. It is important to know where the water is coming from and how it can be restored and resolved quickly. 

From The Attic?

Water spots on the ceiling don’t necessarily mean the roof is leaking. Often the stain is not from a roof failure but from drips in the attic from condensation on pipes. Many water lines converge up there: upstairs hot water heaters, plumbing, A/C lines. Tiny cracks allow slow leaks up in the attic crawl space which leads to stains on the ceiling. Some signs of water damage are:

• Musty odors
• Discolored growths
• Stains, streaks, shadows
• Peeling ceiling or wall surfaces

Even if your ceiling does not look too bad now, it doesn’t take much water to create a disaster. Even a small amount of water could lead to moldy, wet insulation. Chronic roof leaks can lead to wood deterioration and weakened, rotten roof framing. Not only can water damage the home structure, but it can also ruin the personal belongings you have stored up there. Having a specialist in water damage restoration is essential in making sure damage is cleaned up and repaired the right way.

Or Is The Problem The Roof?

The most obvious consequence of a leak up in the roof is a compromised structure due to damaged rafters, ceiling joists, wall framing or exterior trim. Chronic wet wood leads to deterioration and rot.   

Roofs have an average lifespan of 20 years, but extreme weather will shorten that timeframe. If your roof has been compromised, water can quickly leak through, saturating the attic as well as drywall and the building structure. Roof flashing around chimneys or skylights, are common sources for roof leaks since they protrude from the surface of the roof to redirect the flow of water. 

Is It The Ceiling?

Any discoloration is a symptom of water damage at some time in the past. Determine where the leak was and if it has been previously repaired.

Leaks are difficult to locate since water doesn’t necessarily drip straight down.  For example, the ceilings of the lower stories in your new home could have been damaged by upper-level plumbing leaks or flooding. It can travel along roof panels or lumber in the attic before dripping onto your insulation and leaving the telltale yellow water spots on your ceiling. That means the leak can be far away from where the ceiling shows damage. Unless you have good detective skills when it comes to roof leaks, you’ll need professional help to help track down the cause of the problem.

Water Damage Restoration In Bakersfield

Although the damage may start in the roof, the attic or in the ceiling, Alert Disaster Restoration is ready right now to find and correct your problem. The professional team will work quickly to minimize the extent of the damage. Water and mold issues spread fast if not dealt with right away. Alert Disaster offers 24-hour water damage restoration to the homeowners of Bakersfield. This knowledge will help give you peace of mind, knowing that there is help in restoring your home back to order.