Sarasota Ceiling Leak Repair, From the Stain to the Source

Three Usual Suspects

The unit above. Nearly three in ten Sarasota housing units are in buildings of 20 or more units, per Census estimates. A failed supply line, a toilet overflow or a dishwasher leak upstairs is the most common cause of a ceiling stain in a condo.

The air conditioning. Air handlers in attics or closets drain condensate all summer. A clogged drain line or a rusted pan sends water into the ceiling below, often without anyone noticing until a stain appears.

The roof. Sarasota averages about 49 inches of rain a year, with August the wettest month, under NOAA's normals for a nearby station. Summer downpours and hurricane winds test flashing, vents and older roofing, and nearly six in ten homes here were built before 1980.

Is It Safe?

A sagging or bulging ceiling can hold a lot of water and can collapse. Keep people out from under it, put a bucket under the lowest point, and turn off lights or fans in that ceiling. Don't poke it yourself if it's large.

How We Fix a Wet Ceiling

1. Trace the source using moisture meters and thermal imaging, then coordinate with a plumber, AC tech, roofer or building manager to stop it.
2. Release the water safely if the ceiling is holding it.
3. Open the ceiling where readings show wet insulation or trapped moisture.
4. Dry the cavity with dehumidifiers and airflow, logging readings each visit.
5. Replace drywall and insulation, then texture and paint to match.

In a condo, we document both units, since the association, the upstairs owner and you may each have a separate insurer.

If the water came from a storm and also reached your floors, see our flood cleanup page. For the rest of what we do, visit our Sarasota water damage crew.