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Question about potential plumbing leak and what to do?
Posted on 6/6/21 at 7:11 pm
Posted on 6/6/21 at 7:11 pm
First time home owner purchased the house 2 months ago.
2 story house.
Wife discovered in our dining room this evening a spot on the ceiling that looked damp. I was able to touch it and sure enough my finger made a print because of the moisture.
I went upstairs to a bedroom that's right above the dining room and didn't see or feel anything wet at all. I even went into the attic as well - nothing.
I live in Charlotte NC and it's been pouring for the last hour so that was our original worry but it's rained plenty of times before since we bought the house and we never saw this before.
With the second story and attic not dripping or having any stains would I be correct to assume this is a pipe or plumbing related?
2 story house.
Wife discovered in our dining room this evening a spot on the ceiling that looked damp. I was able to touch it and sure enough my finger made a print because of the moisture.
I went upstairs to a bedroom that's right above the dining room and didn't see or feel anything wet at all. I even went into the attic as well - nothing.
I live in Charlotte NC and it's been pouring for the last hour so that was our original worry but it's rained plenty of times before since we bought the house and we never saw this before.
With the second story and attic not dripping or having any stains would I be correct to assume this is a pipe or plumbing related?
7
Posted on 6/6/21 at 7:16 pm to Magician2
If the ceiling is THAT wet, might as well cut a chunk out and see what’s there.
Do you have a moisture meter? I’d be checking all over.
Do you have a moisture meter? I’d be checking all over.
Posted on 6/6/21 at 7:25 pm to Magician2
A flashlight helps in an attic as wet areas will reflect the light.
Water from a roof leak can run down a rafter and show up away from the actual leak.
Water from a roof leak can run down a rafter and show up away from the actual leak.
Posted on 6/6/21 at 7:51 pm to Magician2
I agree with the above OP that it’s time to open up a square in the rock to investigate. Who knows? A rat could’ve chewed a pin hole through the pex.
Posted on 6/6/21 at 8:28 pm to ItzMe1972
quote:
Water from a roof leak can run down a rafter and show up away from the actual leak.
Happened to us in our house about a year after we moved in. Front half of upstairs is walk in attic space so we were able to find it pretty quickly. The leak was a popped nail on a shingle, but it ran down a rafter and was dripping near the edge of our downstairs bedroom.
Posted on 6/6/21 at 8:49 pm to Magician2
Do you know where your water comes into your house at? What usually goes from there to your plumbing fixtures, could be above or below and both.
Where is the water spot? Middle of the room? Rarely are there coincidences so the fact it’s raining makes believe you have a leak. Could be a window, roof, who knows and it can follow a beam, pipe, wire, etc and sometimes drip in the middle of a room. But that’s fairly rare.
As said the best thing is to cut a hole in the ceiling. Make it just big enough to fit your hand through first and you can feel around for a pipe and stick your phone up there to video. If you can’t find anything cut bigger.
Where is the water spot? Middle of the room? Rarely are there coincidences so the fact it’s raining makes believe you have a leak. Could be a window, roof, who knows and it can follow a beam, pipe, wire, etc and sometimes drip in the middle of a room. But that’s fairly rare.
As said the best thing is to cut a hole in the ceiling. Make it just big enough to fit your hand through first and you can feel around for a pipe and stick your phone up there to video. If you can’t find anything cut bigger.
Posted on 6/6/21 at 8:51 pm to baldona
quote:
As said the best thing is to cut a hole in the ceiling. Make it just big enough to fit your hand through first and you can feel around for a pipe and stick your phone up there to video. If you can’t find anything cut bigger.
No use to play around like that cut a hole big enough to see what is going on. It’s Sheetrock the method to repair a small hole is no different that a bigger one.
Posted on 6/6/21 at 8:56 pm to Magician2
quote:
With the second story and attic not dripping or having any stains would I be correct to assume this is a pipe or plumbing related?
I am betting not, but to check make sure all your faucets, washing machine, dishwasher, ice makers etc are off and go out and check your meter , if the red triangle is still , it ain’t a leaky pipe,
How old is your house? Cheap Roof jacks are known to deteriorate at about 15 years and start leaking
Posted on 6/6/21 at 8:58 pm to baldona
The damp spot specifically is about the size of a quarter. A few hours ago I could see a straight line about 3 ft exactly that was also damp but no wider than maybe a few cinameters.
Our house is a cape cod style home and this is the front - the dining room specifically. So it's almost virtually impossible to shine a flash light in that direction or have someone crawl there because of the slant of the roof is super tight.
We have a plumber coming check it out tomorrow morning.
The moisture meter is a good idea and I just ordered one off Amazon.
I appreciate the responses and help.
Our house is a cape cod style home and this is the front - the dining room specifically. So it's almost virtually impossible to shine a flash light in that direction or have someone crawl there because of the slant of the roof is super tight.
We have a plumber coming check it out tomorrow morning.
The moisture meter is a good idea and I just ordered one off Amazon.
I appreciate the responses and help.
Posted on 6/6/21 at 9:00 pm to Magician2
quote:
We have a plumber coming check it out tomorrow morning.
Do as the post above yours says, and you should be able to rule out a leak and cancel the plumber and call a roofer
Posted on 6/6/21 at 11:52 pm to TU Rob
(no message)
This post was edited on 6/7/21 at 12:15 am
Posted on 6/7/21 at 6:42 am to Magician2
A bedroom above a dining room where you find a leak should not be a plumbing issue. Plumbing pipes are usually kept concentrated around the bathrooms and kitchens.
How close to the outer wall is this water staining?
What's weird is that its showing up on the first floor ceiling. Any roof leak I've had has always shown on the second floor ceilings.
How close to the outer wall is this water staining?
What's weird is that its showing up on the first floor ceiling. Any roof leak I've had has always shown on the second floor ceilings.
Posted on 6/7/21 at 8:53 am to Magician2
quote:
Our house is a cape cod style home and this is the front - the dining room specifically. So it's almost virtually impossible to shine a flash light in that direction or have someone crawl there because of the slant of the roof is super tight.
Any windows nearby that area on the 2nd floor? You mention a tight squeeze because of the style, could also be a flashing issue. Unless there is a bathroom right there, I doubt you have a plumbing issue.
Posted on 6/7/21 at 4:11 pm to Magician2
What did the plumber say?
Posted on 6/7/21 at 4:54 pm to Magician2
quote:
With the second story and attic not dripping or having any stains would I be correct to assume this is a pipe or plumbing related?
Not necessarily but I'd be willing to bet it's coming down the wall before making it's way to that spot on the ceiling. Do you have attic space you can access above the closest wall to the spot?
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