[nytimes770]

I noticed three separate water spots around 3" in diameter each in ceiling of second floor. The interesting part is that the spots are in a straight line and appear to only be where there's a screw.

I tried to inspect the attic to see if it was a leaky roof or something else. The floor is covered with white puff so I can't see. But I wonder if it's a pipe that's leaky. Your guess?

This is in a two story house built in 2015.

 

[Nealtw]

Do you have pipes in the attic??

Did you check the rafter above for evidence of water running and dripping?

 

[Oso954]

Do you live in a humid climate ? Have good A/C in the summer time ?

If those screws missed the wood ceiling joists, you could be condensing water out of the air.

 

[nytimes770]

Yes, a few pipes up there. It's winter here. I think the stains are recent though. Last time using ac was over 4 months ago.

I went up there. Kicked the insulation around and found the stained spots. It was hard to tell if the roof had a leak. There is a beam right above the stains. And a pipe attached to part of the beam. I didn't feel any leak in the pipe though.

 

[Nealtw]

When it is cold out and you have left this for a while you want to check and see if you have condensation on that beam dripping down. And when it rains you want to be up there looking for water.

The ceiling may not be sealed well enough, warm moist air from the house will cause problems. Does the attic access door have a weather seal and does it close tightly so it doesn't leak air? Holes where plumbing or wires go down into the walls may not be sealed well enough.

 

[SPS-1]

Could be water leaking in from roof, perhaps not even very close to the spots. Water then runs down a rafter or beam and drops where you are seeing the spots. Maybe put a big piece of paper or cardboard over that area and in a few weeks it should be pretty clear if you have drips, or condensation on the screws.

 

[nytimes770]

Ok I took everyone's advice. Today it rained all day. Went up at night and found the leak. I think what happened was it landed on the duct and it rolled down to cause the stain in multiple spots.
Will need to contact a roofing company I guess.

Thanks.

 

[nytimes770]

To close the loop on this the roofer said the original builder did a poor job not installing the pipe boots the right way. So they put in new boots

But now for the water stain what can I do? I tried spraying half bleach half water but it didn't do anything.

I have some kilz stain blocker. Will this alone get rid of the stain or will I have to get some ceiling paint?

 

[jmon]

To close the loop on this the roofer said the original builder did a poor job not installing the pipe boots the right way. So they put in new boots

But now for the water stain what can I do? I tried spraying half bleach half water but it didn't do anything.

I have some kilz stain blocker. Will this alone get rid of the stain or will I have to get some ceiling paint?

Yes I agree with you, you can try that. then paint. If you are happy with the results, then you are good to go. Done. That would be the easiest cheapest repair/fix. It will no doubt look better.

However, imo, eventually they will bleed, blister, and peel through again. Reason being, where the 3 screws are, they look blistered, protruding and starting to peel.

If you just mud, kilz and paint over them it will look good for awhile no doubt but may bleed, blister, and peel through again because the actually sheet rock paper is peeling.

Rather than trying to explain it, there are many videos out there showing you how to fix this permanently step by step if you need to in the future.


Glad you got the roof leak fixed nytimes.

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Pull the insulation back from those areas so they can completely dry. No need to be in a rush to attempt a fix on a wet substrate.