Water Stain or Active Leak in Your Ceiling — Who to Call

Place buckets or tarps under active drips — move furniture and electronics away from the wet area

⚠ A waterlogged ceiling can collapse — do not stand directly under bulging drywall

Determine source: roof leak (after rain), plumbing leak (anytime), or AC condensate line (summer)

⚠ Second-floor leaks may come from bathroom plumbing above

Photograph stains, bubbling paint, sagging areas, and any active dripping before touching anything

⚠ Insurance needs evidence of the damage extent

If ceiling is actively sagging, poke a small hole at the lowest point to drain water into a bucket — reduces collapse risk

⚠ Only if safe — large sagging areas need professional assessment

Call a restoration company for moisture mapping — ceiling cavities hide water that causes mold behind drywall

⚠ Surface drying is not enough — insulation and joists retain moisture

Call a roofer (roof leak) or plumber (pipe leak) to fix the source — restoration handles drying and repair

⚠ Fixing the source without drying the cavity guarantees mold growth