Ceiling water damage
Ceiling Water Damage: What to Do and Who to Call
A spreading stain, a bubble in the paint or water dripping from the light fixture. Onyx finds where the water is coming from, dries the ceiling cavity and repairs the ceiling.
- IICRC certified
- 24/7 emergency response
- Insured
- 17 years in restoration
- Free estimates
- Works with your insurance
A ceiling stain is the part you can see. The water above it has usually soaked the insulation and the top of the drywall and may be sitting on the joists. Painting over it or waiting for it to dry leaves wet material in a closed cavity, which is how ceiling mold starts.
The source decides the fix: a roof or flashing leak, a bathroom above (toilet seal, tub drain, shower pan), an upstairs supply line or water heater, an HVAC condensate line, or ice dams in winter.
What to do right now
- If the ceiling is sagging or bubbling with water, keep people out from under it and put a bucket underneath
- If water is near a light fixture, turn that circuit off at the panel
- Poke a small hole at the lowest point of a water bubble to drain it into a bucket; it relieves the weight
- If the source is plumbing, shut the water to that fixture or the main
- Photograph the ceiling and the room below before anything is moved
Who to call for water damage in the ceiling
If it is actively leaking from the roof, a roofer stops the source; if it is plumbing, a plumber. A restoration company handles what the water already did: opening the ceiling where needed, drying the cavity, checking for mold and rebuilding. Onyx can often tell from the location and the pattern which trade you need first.
How Onyx repairs ceiling water damage
- Find the source with moisture meters and thermal imaging
- Open the ceiling where the drywall and insulation are saturated
- Dry the cavity and joists to dry standard
- Check for and remove any mold before closing up
- Replace insulation and drywall, tape, prime and paint to match
Ceiling water damage and mold
Mold can start on wet drywall and insulation within 24 to 48 hours, and a closed ceiling stays wet for a long time. A musty smell, dark spots or a stain that keeps growing after the leak was fixed are signs the cavity is still wet.
How it goes
What happens after you call.
Call
Tell us where the stain is and what is above it.
Find the source
Meters and thermal imaging trace the water.
Open and dry
Saturated material comes out; the cavity is dried to the meter.
Repair
Insulation, drywall and paint go back in.
Google reviews
What customers say
5.0 from 7 Google reviews · Verified
★★★★★
Used Onyx to clean out mother in laws house after she passed. This was by [no] means a simple clear out. They did an absolutely amazing job! Job was finished when promised. I can’t say enough good things about the owner Jose and his team. Would definitely recommend this company.
★★★★★
Great experience with this mitigation company! Professional, reliable, and got the job done quickly. The team was friendly, respectful, and kept everything handled from start to finish. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Overall, great experience with Onyx. I’ve used Jose as a lead on multiple multi-housing projects and have always found his pricing to be competitive. He gets the job done, is honest and trustworthy and knows how to lead a team. 10/10!
FAQ
Questions we get on this work
Who do I call for water damage in my ceiling?
Stop the source first: a roofer for a roof leak, a plumber for plumbing. Then a restoration company like Onyx to dry the ceiling cavity, check for mold and repair the ceiling.
What should I do about a water stain on my ceiling?
Find out if it is still wet with a moisture meter before painting. A stain over a wet cavity will come back and can grow mold. Onyx measures, dries and repairs.
Does insurance cover ceiling water damage?
Sudden leaks, like a burst supply line or a storm-damaged roof, are often covered; slow leaks and wear usually are not. Your insurer decides; Onyx documents the damage.
Can a ceiling with water damage collapse?
Yes, if enough water pools on the drywall. A sagging or bubbling ceiling should be drained and kept clear of people until it is opened and dried.
Next step
Water in the ceiling? Call Onyx.
We find the source, dry it right and repair the ceiling.
Call (267) 353-7953Not an emergency? Request a callback online and Onyx will call to confirm a time.