Brown Spots on Your Ceiling: Causes and Treatment

Brown spots on your ceiling are definitely an eyebrow-raiser. They’re concerning and, let’s be honest, downright ugly. These spots usually indicate a water-related problem, such as a damaged roof or burst pipe. If you’re not a smoker and notice brown spots on your ceiling, you likely have water damage happening somewhere behind the scenes. 

Continue reading to learn why brown spots form on your ceiling and how Cleanup & Total Restoration can help.

6 Common Causes of Brown Spots on Ceilings

Brown or discolored areas on your ceiling usually signal a leak—but what could be causing it? Below are six common causes of ceiling water damage. 

1. Leaking Flashing

Flashing refers to two areas on your roof joined together by a piece of metal. Even though flashing is built to handle tough weather conditions, it’s still susceptible to damage. When your roof’s flashing fails, water can leak into vulnerable areas of your roof. Of course, the water winds up in your home and eventually will stain your ceiling. 

2. Roof Damage

Roof damage is another common cause of brown ceiling spots. Weak areas or damaged shingles can allow water to seep through your roof and into your home. These damaged areas are typically caused by heavy sunlight exposure or fallen tree branches. High winds can also blow shingles off your roof, causing holes big enough for water to infiltrate.

3. Leaking Pipes

Old or damaged pipes can leak or burst under pressure. When this happens, water has nowhere to go other than into your home. If a pipe leaks or bursts in your attic, water drips until you eventually see brown spots or discoloration forming on your ceiling. 

Damaged pipes are a big problem, leading to extensive and costly repairs. Plus, the risk of mold increases every hour the water continues to leak. 

4. Skylights, Vents, and Chimneys

Anything that connects the inside of your home to the exterior of your roof is capable of leaking. If your skylight, vents, or chimneys are damaged or cracked, there’s a chance that water will find its way into your home. 

Technicians are supposed to make skylights, vents, and chimneys watertight. If they’re not, a professional may have to reinstall. 

5. Leaking HVAC

Yes, your HVAC system can leak. HVAC systems use a drain pan to catch excess condensation, but if the water is overflowing, it can drip onto your ceiling. It’s also possible that your HVAC system wasn’t installed correctly or isn’t draining water properly. The best thing to do in this situation is to give the CTR crew a call.

6. Gutter Problems

Gutters play a big role in protecting your home from water damage. They’re responsible for channeling water away from your property, ensuring water doesn’t back up onto your roof or grass. But when gutters become clogged or damaged, water can overflow and leak through weak spots. 

Gutter problems are serious and can lead to structural damage if you’re not careful. Call a technician as soon as you notice a problem with your gutters to avoid water-related issues.

How to Fix Brown Stains on Ceilings

The only way to permanently fix brown stains on your ceiling is to have a professional technician fix the leak. However, you still need to clean the stains. To do this, make sure you have the following supplies on hand:

• A bucket of water
• A sponge or cloth
• A mild detergent
• Stain-blocking primer
• Ceiling paint
• Optional: Bleach

Once you have what you need, grab a sturdy chair or stepladder. Dampen your washcloth or sponge with mild soapy water and start scrubbing the brown stain away until it’s no longer visible. You might need to go over the stain a few times before it’s gone. 

If the stain is still visible, use a bleach solution to remove any excess discoloration. From there, you can apply a coat of stain-blocking primer and finish with a fresh coat of ceiling paint.

That being said, if you find yourself dealing with a mold problem, drop what you’re doing and contact a professional. Our team handles extensive mold removal and remediation in Southern Idaho.

How Our Team Handles Ceiling Water Stains

We don’t just jump into water damage restoration. The crew at Cleanup & Total Restoration uses a step-by-step approach to address your water leak and ceiling stains. 

Assessment

Before our arrival, we recommend that you turn your water off. If this isn’t possible, our technicians can shut off the water source upon arrival. Once we’re on-site, we’ll assess the damage and come up with a game plan.

Repair

After that, we create a plan of action. We’ll get to work on repairing the affected area. Our team uses the latest tools and equipment on the market to repair and restore your space to its original condition.

Clean

Next, it’s time to clean. We use professional-grade cleaning equipment and special sanitizers to disinfect the area from bacteria growth.

Documentation

Finally, we’ll document the entire process through photos and reports. Keep this documentation in your records for future reference.

Get Rid of Brown Spots For Good With CTR

Brown spots on ceilings are annoying, unsightly, and unsafe. Get rid of them for good with the help of CTR. Since 1999, we’ve been serving Southern Idaho homeowners with expert water restoration services. 

Residents continue to trust us thanks to our licensed team, quick response times, 24-hour emergency services, and free estimates. Get the job done right with CTR and contact us for a ceiling stain removal service.