Ceiling leaks can lead to severe damage, with piping leakage that caused ceiling repair we should always act quickly and deal with the drip as soon as possible, to minimize water damage in your home. Water leakage is a common problem and occurs anytime. To prevent this issue, homeowners should be vigilant and alert in their property. Water dripping down the ceiling would be an obvious sign, do not ignore it till the situation get worse.
When water makes its way and moves through a channel, it creates a trail. The water will collect wherever it finds a place and leaves some signs of damage.
Some tell-tale signs of water leakage
Observe and look out for the following signs to identify the ceiling leaks and their source. Regular inspection will prevent any future damage.
1. Discolouration of surface/ceiling
2. Mould growth
3. Wet and loose ceiling
4. Peeling or Flaking paint
5. Toilet leaks from the clogged shower drain, and toilet bowl drain pipe
6. Kitchen leaks from the drain pipes, clogged washer, sink, or drain hole
Reason for pipe leakage causing ceiling repair
Look out into the problem to understand whether it is a roof leak or a plumbing leak. Sagging ceilings can be dangerous as they may collapse but they can also be repaired.
The solution to fix a leak in the ceiling depends on the source and severity of the leak. There are a few reasons why the ceiling might be leaking. Homeowners often face some common ceiling leaks:
Piping/Plumbing leaks
Plumbing leaks are one of the significant causes of ceiling leaks. It can occur due to many reasons, either faulty or leaking pipes, rusting of lines, or wear-off caulks. Once plumbing damages occur, water starts accumulating and dripping down through the ceiling.
Drainpipe and sewage pipe leaks
Other sources of leaks could be from the washing machine discharge pipe. This drain pipe could be choked and result in water ponding on the floor causing a leak in the ceiling below as well. Change the drainpipes and fittings to solve the problem, this will prevent future water damage and restore the appearance of the ceiling.
Burst pipes
Over time, old pipes can corrode and rust, causing cracks, and leading to leaks. Corrosion is caused when a pipe’s PH balance becomes too basic or acidic, and the water contains too much iron and resulting rust will cause the pipe to break. Although the most obvious symptom of a burst pipe is a massive water leak, the problem may not be apparent until a lot of water has leaked. Sometimes the leak is obvious and can be resolved immediately by cutting off the water supply in the house and calling for a professional plumber to fix the burst pipe within a couple of days. When it comes to water damage it is important to dry out the affected area as quickly as possible to remove any moisture that will seep into the flooring and flow to the ceiling below.
If the water in your tap or shower looks discoloured, the likely cause is a burst pipe. Water that is brownish or reddish in colour is an indication of rust in the pipe. Burst pipes also affect water pressure, so you should keep an eye out for high water bills. A burst pipe will also cause a ceiling leak, excess water will flow through the burst and waste.
Bathroom fixtures
A leak happens where a bathroom is located directly above the ceiling could be due to toilet bowl or shower drainage.
Porcelain sinks, bathtubs, and toilet bowls can crack, sometimes so thinly that they may not be noticed. The underside of the sink will slowly start to catch water when they are in use and it will travel in a natural path downwards to the floor, where it will settle unit it breaks through. This is often under a vanity, where the leak might not be noticed for quite some time.
Shower flooring can leak from a couple of areas. The base can crack over time, causing damage to the leaky sink or bathtub. There is also a watertight seal located under the shower base that can be compromised allowing water to leak.
Toilets more often leak from the base, where it sits on the floor where there is a wax ring that forms a watertight bond. You would see water pooling at the base if it is leaking.
If you have a leak, the most important thing is to have it addressed quickly. If you find one of the above issues, call a professional who can fix the problems in order to prevent any further damage.
In any circumstance, the leak has resulted in ceiling leaks, fear not. There are non-hacking waterproofing solutions to resolve the leak. You may spot signs of a ceiling leak by looking for wet walls and discoloured or sagging ceilings. Water spreads quickly through insulation and drywall. Mould begins to grow in affected areas within 48 hours.
If you have spotted any form of ceiling water leakage, you should immediately inform your neighbour about the situation and rectify the cause of the leak. Ceiling leaking is likely because the waterproofing membrane in the floor slab in-between levels has eroded, causing leaks. The floor slab is known as “party structure” and under the HDB’s terms of the lease, both HDB flat owners (you and your neighbour) are responsible for the repair. Which you will have to collaborate with your neighbour to carry out the repair work. If both you and your neighbour are agreeable to repairing the ceiling, flooring, and pipes and relay a waterproofing screed later you can contact a waterproofing contractor.
SWC Construction is one of the best waterproofing contractors in Singapore, a specialist in resolving the waterproofing issue. We have several waterproofing solutions to resolve ceiling leakages such as non-hacking waterproofing repair work with PU grouting/PU Injection Grouting, Clear Penetrative Treatment (CPT) for the protection and prevention of future leakage of on the existing flooring without massive hacking in the house.
Over the past 20 years of experience, SWC Construction has been able to give the best waterproofing solutions to all our customers and has obtained good feedback and review on our services and workmanship from our valuable customers. We have been offering our services to Industrial, commercial, and residential throughout Singapore.
Contact us now for a professional consultation. We have a team of experienced consultants to provide you with the best waterproofing solution.