Water damage on a ceiling looks like yellow, brown or copper-colored rings, bubbling or peeling paint, sagging drywall and dark spots of mold. The stain is usually not directly under the leak. Water runs along framing, pipes and insulation before it soaks through.
Reading the stain
| Sign | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Damp ring with a dark edge | An active leak that is still getting wet |
| Dry ring with several layers | A leak that stops and starts, often a roof or AC drain |
| Rust or copper color | Water passing over metal, such as flashing, a pipe or ductwork |
| Bubbling or peeling paint | Water trapped between the paint and the drywall |
| Sagging or bulging | Water pooled above the drywall, with a risk of collapse |
| Black, green or gray spots | Mold growing on wet drywall paper |
Common sources in Arizona homes
- AC condensate lines and drain pans. With attic installations, a clogged line or rusted pan leaks straight into the ceiling below, usually in summer.
- Evaporative coolers. Rooftop swamp coolers leak through worn pans, float valves and water lines, often around the duct opening.
- Flat roofs and parapets. Monsoon storms test old seals and roof drains.
- Plumbing above. Second-floor bathrooms and supply lines.
- Ice dams. In the high country, snow melts and refreezes at the roof edge, backing water under shingles. See ice dam.
Is a sagging ceiling dangerous?
Yes. A sagging ceiling is holding water and can give way without warning. Keep people and pets out of the room, move what you can, put a bucket or tarp underneath and turn off power to ceiling lights and fans in that area. Don't push on it. A professional can drain it safely and check the framing above.
Can I just paint over it?
Not until the leak is fixed and the drywall is fully dry. Paint over a wet stain bleeds through again, and the EPA warns that paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel. Once everything is dry, a stain-blocking primer covers old marks.
What to do next
- Find the source: check the attic, the AC unit, the cooler and the roof.
- Stop the water if you can, such as shutting off the cooler or the water line.
- Take photos for insurance.
- Have the ceiling and insulation checked for moisture. Wet insulation can hold water long after the stain looks dry.
For a ceiling that is sagging, spreading or growing mold, call for water damage restoration. For signs elsewhere in the house, see what water damage looks like. Start with a free inspection from Arizona Water Damage Pros.