Dealing with a ceiling leak can be a huge pain. It’s already hard enough to determine what’s causing it, not to mention all the damage you have to fix. Fortunately, you can always reach out to ceiling fixers Perth residents count on to solve ceiling leaks.

However, there’s no harm in learning to identify the type of leak you’re dealing with. That way, you can do some basic repairs while waiting for the experts to arrive at your home.

Generally, there are two main types of water leaks: roofing system leaks and plumbing-related ceiling leaks. To figure out which one you’re dealing with, ask yourself the following questions:

The best way to figure out the source of the leak is to observe when it occurs. For instance, does the ceiling only leak when it’s raining outside? If water only drips from the ceiling during rainy days, then the leak is probably coming from the roof.

Does water still drip continuously from the ceiling even if it’s warm and sunny outside? If that’s the case, then the water isn’t coming from the rain. If you have a steady leak whether it’s rain or shine, then chances are there’s a problem with your plumbing.

Next, you should observe the leak’s behaviour between storms. Does it dry out between spells of bad weather? That means that your supply water doesn’t flow in at a constant rate, hence the leak’s tendency to start and stop. In other words, it’s highly likely that the leak is coming from somewhere on your roof.

But if the leak never seems to dry up at all, then that means there is a steady supply of water. In cases like these, the leak is probably due to some damage to your plumbing system.

Take a good look at what room the leak is coming from. Is the water dripping down from below the roof surface or your attic space? If the answer is yes, then that’s a sign that you have a hole on your roof system. This is because there usually aren’t any plumbing fixtures running through an attic. Hence, the only source of water you’d have on the roof would be rain.

On the other hand, a leak that’s coming from below a kitchen or bathroom is usually due to a problem with the supply or drain pipes. This may also be the case for any leaks coming from any other ceiling spaces that contain plumbing pipes.

The colour of the leak can immediately clue you in on its source. If the ceiling leak is brown, dirty, or stains the ceiling, this is an indication that the leak is coming from the roof. This is because the water has picked up all sorts of impurities before making its way into your home.

If the water leaking from the ceiling is clear or fresh, that means the leak is caused by faulty plumbing. Because it’s coming straight from a water pipe, the water hasn’t had a chance to pick up any dirt on the way.

If you have noticed signs of a water leak in your ceiling, you should do your best to fix it before it gets any worse. Otherwise, the water damage may cause your ceiling to fall apart and collapse. But if you’re having trouble with it, it may be time to hire ceiling repair experts such as Heron Ceilings to give you a helping hand.