Water Coming Through the Ceiling?
A brown stain, a drip from a light fixture or a sagging bulge in the ceiling means water is collecting somewhere above you. Midwest Flood Restoration provides 24/7 ceiling leak cleanup, drying and repair throughout St. Louis and the Metro East. Our IICRC-certified team finds where the water is coming from, dries the ceiling cavity and the rooms below, and helps you get the repair covered by insurance.
Ceiling leaks are especially common in St. Louis two-family flats and four-family buildings, where a bathroom or kitchen leak on the upper floor ends up in the unit below, and in condos and apartments with shared plumbing.
Common Causes of Ceiling Leaks
Upstairs bathrooms: failed toilet wax rings, cracked supply lines, leaking shower pans and worn tub caulk.
Appliances: washing machines, dishwashers and ice-maker lines on upper floors.
Plumbing: burst or pinhole-leaking pipes in ceilings and walls, especially after hard freezes.
HVAC: clogged condensate lines and overflowing drain pans from attic air handlers.
Roofs and ice dams: storm damage, missing shingles, failed flashing and winter ice dams.
Water Damage We Repair Above and Below
Whatever the source, we trace the leak, dry the ceiling and the rooms beneath it, and restore damaged drywall, plaster and insulation.
- Burst, frozen, and leaking pipes
- Sink and toilet overflows
- Dishwasher and refrigerator leaks
- Washing machine failures
- Water heater failures
What To Do When Your Ceiling Is Leaking
Turn off the water to the fixture or the whole house if the leak is from plumbing. Shut off power to any light fixture or fan that is dripping. Move furniture and electronics, and place a bucket under the leak. If the ceiling is bulging, stay out from under it. A small hole poked at the lowest point can drain trapped water, but only if you can do it safely.
Then call us. We use moisture meters and thermal imaging to see how far water has spread, open the ceiling only where needed, and dry the cavity with targeted equipment. Wet insulation is removed, and plaster or drywall is dried or replaced. Leaks from above often affect walls and floors below too, so we check the whole path. See our burst pipe cleanup and appliance leak services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I poke a hole in a ceiling that is bulging with water?
Only if you can do it safely. A bulging ceiling is holding trapped water and can collapse. Turn off power to nearby fixtures, place a bucket under the lowest point, and use a screwdriver from a stable ladder to make a small hole so water drains in a controlled way. If the ceiling is sagging badly, stay clear and call a professional.
Can a water-damaged ceiling be dried without replacing it?
Often, yes. If the leak is caught quickly, the drywall is still firm and the water was clean, the ceiling can usually be dried in place with dehumidifiers and air movers directed into the cavity. Sagging, crumbling or stained drywall and wet insulation usually need replacement. Plaster ceilings must be checked for loose keys.
How do you find where a ceiling leak is coming from?
We start with the most likely sources directly above the stain, such as bathrooms, appliances, HVAC equipment or the roof, then confirm with moisture meters and thermal imaging. Water often travels along joists and pipes before it drips, so the stain may be several feet from the actual leak. Tracing it correctly prevents repeat damage.
Does homeowners insurance cover ceiling water damage?
Usually, when it is caused by a sudden, accidental event such as a burst pipe, failed supply line or appliance overflow. Damage from a slow, long-term leak or poor roof maintenance may be denied. In multi-unit buildings, the policy of the unit where the leak started often applies. We document the cause to support your claim.
Call Now for Ceiling Leak Water Damage Repair
Water dripping through a ceiling in St. Louis? Call (314) 772-1788 for 24/7 response. We find the source, dry it right and bill your insurance directly.