There’s nothing worse than hearing the dreaded drip, drip, drip of water as it leaks through your ceiling.
Maybe the last heavy Chicago rainstorm damaged a section of your roof, or your toddler flushed too many baby wipes down the toilet. It can happen to anyone.
Whatever the reason, one thing’s for sure:
Now, you’re dealing with ceiling water damage that needs to be addressed right away.
Here at ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba, we clean up and restore water-damaged homes and businesses in Chicago and suburbs each day, so we put together this guide to help you figure out who to call for help with a leaking ceiling and how to fix the problem.
Let’s dive in.
Why the Ceiling in my Chicago Home Leaking? 4 Common Causes
Water leaks can happen for several reasons, all of which are quite frustrating.
Some might be preventable, while others simply a matter of circumstance.
Here are a few different possibilities for why water might be leaking through your ceiling.
1. Leaking or Overflowing Toilet
One common reason for water to leak through your ceiling is a toilet leak. If the water coming through your ceiling is coming from your toilet, there are a few potential causes.
- Faulty O Ring. The first possibility is that your O-ring could be bad. This wax ring rests between your toilet and the floor, encircling the hole where water drains. It creates a seal that keeps water from running all over your bathroom each time you flush. If your O-ring rots, it won't be able to properly seal your toilet, leading to a leak.
- Pipe Leak from the Tank. This could be due to a damaged fitting or a rusted or broken pipe. Either of these reasons could leave you with water pouring from your wall and through the floor
- Overflow. A toilet overflow can happen if someone in your house tried to flush too much toilet paper or flushed something that shouldn't go down the toilet.
In older Chicago homes, an overflow could be due to frozen pipes that form ice in the pipe that leads away from your toilet and subsequently burst when the weather warms up.
2. Roof Leak
If your roof is old or damaged, it's usually only a matter of time before water finds its way through. Unfortunately, too often, when that happens, homeowners find out about the damage long after the leak's started.
At that point, you could also be looking at potential mold damage in addition to a roof repair. For that reason, it’s important you get the issue dealt with right away to avoid potential health issues.
3. Shower or Bathtub Leak
Water pouring through your ceiling could also be due to a bathtub or shower leak. There are a few reasons this might happen.
- Water from inside the shower or bathtub leaked through your floor. This usually happens if someone doesn't close the curtain properly or a child gets over-excited with their splashing. Leaks like this are typically due to poor caulking around the shower or tub.
- Damage to the shower pan or bathtub. Damage to either of these could be due to poor installation or age. If that's the case, there's not much protecting your floor from the water in your shower.
- Burst Pipe. This might not be immediately evident from the outside. Still, if water's leaking and you can't find the source, it's likely inside the wall. Unfortunately, this is one of the most complex repairs since the leak will be behind tile and drywall that’ll need to be removed and replaced.
4. Appliance Leak
Several of your major appliances are some of the main culprits for water leaks. Refrigerators with water dispensers, washing machines, and dishwashers all have water supplies. In addition, some freezers have automatic defrost settings.
If a hose breaks, becomes disconnected, or a connecting piece fails, you could quickly end up with water coming through your ceiling. You’ll have the same outcome if your freezer’s automatic defrost fails.
Who Should I Call if I have a Ceiling Leak in Chicago, IL?
There are three phone calls you’ll need to make immediately after discovering a leak in your Chicago home.
As frustrating as it might be to have to make phone calls when dealing with a mess, it’s essential to know who to call for a water leak in the ceiling- and that you do so quickly.
1. Your Plumber
First and foremost, call your plumber.
Plumbing is one area of the home that’s best left to professionals.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to get someone out the same day. However, if it’s over the weekend or late at night, you might have to pay emergency hours prices.
Depending on where the leak is and whether or not you’re able to stop it, you might be able to hold off on calling your plumber until business hours. This will help you avoid a hefty bill.
That said, if you can’t stop the leak, don’t hesitate to call right away.
2. Call ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba: (773) 647-1985
Once you’ve set up a time for your plumber to take a look at your leak and do a repair, you’ll need to focus on repairing the damage.
For example, a leaky ceiling can cause bubbled or peeling paint, mold, staining, and rotted wood, not to mention leaving your home flooded.
Our team at ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba has water damage repair professionals to handle all of your needs.
We’ll remove any standing water, dry and stabilize all affected areas, and restore drywall, ceilings, and floors to make your space look new.
3. Call Your Insurance Company
The third phone call you’ll need to make is to your insurance agency.
Extensive water damage requires a thorough repair, so you’ll want to file a claim with insurance to cover the costs.
When you call, make sure to get a claim number you can reference for future communications.
What to Do Before Help Arrives
After you call for help, you should do a few things before the plumber arrives.
These things will help minimize damage, and they’ll also make it easier for contractors to address the issue.
1. Stop the Leak at the Source
Take a few minutes to locate the source of the leak. For example, if the issue is a burst or leaking pipe, you might be able to shut off the pipe that’s feeding it.
Or, if you happen to notice that the leak coincided with someone flushing a specific toilet or sink, avoid using them until you can get the issue fixed.
2. Catch the Water
If you can’t shut off the leak’s source, your best bet is to simply grab a bucket or two. Place it under the leak to prevent any more water from falling onto your floor, and take care to empty it before it gets too full.
For best results, place the bucket on a sheet of plastic or in a larger tub to catch spillover.
Once you have your bucket placed, check out the rest of the room to see if there are any other leaks. Also, try to clean up any standing water you can to keep any more water from seeping through.
3. Clear the Area
If the leak is in the main part of your house, try to move any furniture or other items out of the way, even if they aren’t wet. This will give contractors more space to move and can also prevent your things from getting damaged.
Is Your Ceiling Leaking in Chicago, IL? We Can Repair the Water Damage!
A leaking ceiling is truly one of the most frustrating things a homeowner will have to deal with. Fortunately, ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba serving Chicago, IL & Suburbs is here to help.
Simply give us a call when you find the leak and we’ll come out and assess the damage.
If you need water damage repaired right away, give ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba a call at (773) 647-1985. We’re available 24 hours to answer your call.
