Newly formed water stains on your ceiling or wall are caused by moisture intrusion. The key concern is what is causing the moisture intrusion?
Possible causes of water stains could be a leaky roof or leaks in the plumbing system.
Winter will be here before we know it and in colder climates like ours in Alaska, another possible cause of the moisture intrusion is ice damning. Many areas that have record snowfalls, result in large amounts of snow accumulation on roofs. What we have found is that this accumulation is causing ice damming. Ice dams result from the escape of heat into the attic which eventually builds up and melts snow on the roof. The ice dam forms when the melting snow pools behind dams of ice at the roof’s edge, which is one of the reasons that icicles form. The water that backs up behind the ice dam can leak into the home and cause damage to walls, floors, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.
Water stains should be a concern because water is one of the key ingredients required for mold growth. Mold can cause health and structural issues, so it is important to understand that prevention and moisture control are essential: fix leaky roofs; control humidity; know where your water shut off valve is; address ice damming; and install a sump pump.
If you ever have questions or concerns we’re happy to help. We respond 24 hours a day for water damage emergencies.
