If your home or business has sustained water damage, your first worries are probably things like your wet flooring and possessions. Although those are important issues, it’s important to look up as well: Ceilings can be seriously damaged by water, and will cause bigger problems in the future if the issue is not dealt with right away.

In this article, we will share the many ways that water damage can quickly wreck the ceilings in your property, and how to stop the resulting damage from spreading.

What Causes Water Damage To Ceilings?

First of all, let’s explain how these problems can start. Ceiling water damage is caused by any source of excess water or moisture seeping into your ceiling. The two most common sources are plumbing and roof leaks.

Plumbing leaks can come from burst, damaged, poorly connected or rusty pipes and water lines. This includes those that connect with appliances like washers, dishwashers, hot water heaters, and refrigerators. Plumbing to the upper floors leaking into the ceilings of the lower floors of a building is a common problem. 

If you have an older roof or are faced with a damaging Illinois storm, your roof may start to leak. If your roof is missing shingles, has other visible damage, or you have moisture in your attic, it is probably leaking. A leaky roof lets the moisture from precipitation into your home, most commonly in the ceilings.

Problems That Ceiling Water Damage Can Cause

We all know that water damaged flooring and furniture needs to be restored or removed right away to prevent big problems, but what harm can water damaged ceilings cause? Here is what Chicagoland home and business owners need to know.

Water Damaged Ceilings Can Collapse

One of the most serious dangers of ignoring water damage in your ceilings is that they can eventually collapse. Severe water damage, or even smaller amounts of water damage that have been ignored over time, can cause a ceiling to fall. This is major damage that can leave all or part of your property uninhabitable. When a ceiling collapses, at best it will make a huge mess, and at worst it can cause serious injuries and health problems.

Water Damaged Ceilings Can Grow Mold

Another serious danger of water-damaged ceilings is that they can provide a great home for mold growth. Mold loves moisture, mild temperatures, and organic materials (like the paper in drywall and wood in your ceiling framework). Too much mold can cause serious health problems for the residents of a property, including respiratory problems, skin irritation, and allergic reactions.

Mold growth from ceiling water damage is particularly dangerous because it may be invisible at first. It’s crucial that you get it removed and fully remediated before it spreads – mold can damage both your health and the structure of your home.

Water Damaged Ceilings Can Be Expensive to Restore

Now that you understand the potential dangers of mold growth and even structural collapse, you can see why it’s critical to act fast and get help. The longer you wait, the more extensive – and expensive – the damage can become.

 Long-term water damage may require restoring and rebuilding large portions of your property, displacing you, your business, or your renters for a long time. This can come with many extra expenses. If you get professional help right away, you may be able to dry out and restore more of your home, resulting in a much smaller project. 

Get Professional Help Right Away With Ceiling Water Damage

It’s not just harmless spots and discoloration that you can ignore – getting water damage in your ceiling restored right away is important. When you ignore a water damaged ceiling, you may be putting both the integrity of your property and your health at risk. Don’t take the chance. Contact McMahon Services and Construction right away. We are local experts who can handle all types of water damage, mold remediation, and even the reconstruction process. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you.