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March 9, 2009
Ceiling discoloration
I suspect I don't want to know what is going on with my ceiling but have to ask... What is this discoloration that has appeared over the last week or two in the baby's room? Is it mold? A sign of water damage? Could we be over-humidifying the room? We had the roof professionally inspected last spring and the roofer said the roof was solid and we had another 6-8 years before it needed to be replaced. We painted the ceiling last spring.
Comments
You've got to cut open a section, look at the back and look inside the ceiling. Mold would be the result of moisture, so whether this is mold or just water stains, there is likely to be a leak somewhere. You need to trace it. Doesn't mean the whole roof has to be redone.
Posted by: slopefarm at March 9, 2009 11:56 AM
What's above this room? Definitely looks like water damage, most likely from leak. If from roof, the origin of the leak might *not* be directly above room. Agree with Slopefarm re: opening a section. But it's curious that you mentioned over-humidifying. Does this room have a window or other outlet besides door? How much, how often do you run humidifier with the door closed and no fan or vent?
Posted by: vinca at March 9, 2009 12:42 PM
Most likely, it's water stains, you do need to cut a section and see what's causing the stains.
My husband would be happy to arrange an appointment if you'd like to give you a free estimate on cutting a piece, after finding out what's there then fixing and close the ceiling back up with board, plaster and paint.
We can be reached at 914-562-2706 or willianprates68@hotmail.com.
Here's our website for pictures:
www.pratesplastering.web.officelive.com
We have references and recommendations here on the forum:
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/03/recommendation_20.php
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/06/plasterer_paint_1.php
Hope to hear from you.
Good luck!
Posted by: Aida008 at March 9, 2009 12:51 PM
You can rule out a humidifier for that damage.
Did this occur before or after the big snow? standing snow on a roof has a way of damming up and leaking back up roof shingles in a way that rain won't -- so it could be from the snow melt.
At any rate you're going to need to remove the ceiling and get a closer look above it to see where the water entered. Hard to know until you take that step.
Posted by: Smokychimp at March 9, 2009 1:32 PM
i wouldn't run a humidifier in there regardless, new york is pretty humid in general
Posted by: werner at March 9, 2009 2:02 PM
We had something look like that and the culprit ended up being water from a leaky radiator.
Posted by: Boerum Hill at March 9, 2009 2:18 PM
Though a humidifier would be an unlikely culprit, I have seen bathrooms with no windows and broken exhaust fans that looked similar. As to humidifier in baby's room, be sure to keep it well cleaned, otherwise it can do as much harm as good.
Posted by: vinca at March 9, 2009 2:47 PM
To followup, I called the "leakmaster" advertised on this site (who we have used before and really like) and he strongly recommended against cutting open the ceiling (which is on the top floor), at least as a first step. He said leaks in the roof can - and usually do - travel several yards and won't be visible near the site of water damage.
Posted by: carrie m at March 9, 2009 3:12 PM
^Exactly why you need to cut open the ceiling!
You can always check the roof.
Posted by: denton at March 9, 2009 3:25 PM
Before you start dismantling your ceiling, and possibly exposing your baby to lead dust, first get up on a ladder and see if it washes off. It's hard to tell in a photo but it appears to be rust colored. Sometimes that can be caused by condensation and is only on the surface. A rusty radiator, nearby bathroom, or overactive humidifier COULD be a cause. But if it doesn't wash off then you probably have water damage.
Please be very careful about opening up the ceiling, cover or remove the furniture and bedding and use a HEPA vacuum to clean up afterwards, an air purifier would be good too. Wipe down surfaces well to remove tiny dust particles.
Posted by: one2one at March 9, 2009 4:54 PM
Looks like water damage. Not mold just iron deposits from the water working its way through the plaster.... Plaster and lath ceiling I'm gonig to guess? I would not cut any holes in your ceiling!!!!!! Once the leak is fixed just prime with a stain killer and repaint as usual.
As for the source of the leak, your roof could easily have failed over the last year. Now is a good time to check the flashing for cracks. Along the parapet walls... by the chimney... TV dish installation... I'm going to assume you have a flat roof like 90% of Brooklyn. Go up on the roof and check for raised bubbles or blisters where water may be trapped between roofing layers. If it's squishy you might even hear the slushing of the water. Step around and look for places where water spits out from any seam or tiny hole. You might have to do this on your hands and knees. What ever you do don't open up your ceiling as the leak can travel some distance before working it's way through. Why add an unnecessary plaster repair to the job, especially when the leak seems to be minor. Your roofer can do this if you don't feel comfortable up on the roof. Happy hunting. xxx000
Posted by: IMBY at March 9, 2009 5:13 PM
Looks like water.
Posted by: superstooper at March 9, 2009 5:49 PM
Was there ever any kind of leak there before? It could be an old water stain from a previous leak. If it's not primed and painted properly, it could keep bleeding through.
Posted by: Brooklyn Plumber at March 9, 2009 9:23 PM
Brooklyn Plumber, the best advice of all! I'm curious as to how much of the ceiling we're looking at, a few sq. ft or the entire room.
Posted by: mod squad at March 9, 2009 11:35 PM
It doesn't make sense unless the whole roof is screwed up. If the roof was inspected then it is likely that there is one hidden leak that is the problem. How could the water migrate so randomly? Am I wrong?
Posted by: mod squad at March 9, 2009 11:38 PM
Hi, this is Pietro Calabretta of All Renovation Construction LLC and we are a home improvement/general contractor. From the picture, this looks like it's water filtration. If you have any additional concerns or questions, you can feel free to contact us at: pietro@allrenovationllc.com
Posted by: allrenovationllc at March 10, 2009 10:10 AM
For instance, when snow melts against the parapet wall or chimney, it can penetrate weak areas where the flashing, usually roofing cement, has cracked or pulled away from the brick slightly. This happens all the time. You may never get another leak again when it rains. Only when it snows and builds up several inches and then slowly melts. Lets say this water entered at one end of the roof and now travels between old layers downhill or with the pitch until it finds another point where it enters through the underlying material and leaks down to the ceiling. This can be a foot away or several yards distance from the original entry point. Water finds the easiest path.
Posted by: IMBY at March 10, 2009 4:02 PM
Have you felt it? Is it wet?
Posted by: serpentor at March 11, 2009 3:31 PM
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