How to Fix a Water Bubble in the Ceiling

Fixing a water bubble in the ceiling isn’t as simple as popping the bubble and drying up the area because something caused that water damage, which means that problem must be fixed before the cosmetic damage to the ceiling can be addressed. If you do not take the time needed to address the underlying water issue, you will find yourself needing to do ceiling repair after ceiling repair because the underlying water issue will remain. And, not fixing water damage right away can result in costly mold growth down the road. So, if you have a water bubble, what do you do?

First, turn off the water wherever could be causing the problem (unless you believe that the water is coming from a leaking roof or window instead of a broken pipe). Then, move everything out of the way to avoid it getting water damage. Position a tarp or bunch of towels underneath the bubble, making sure to cover anything of value nearby that is unable to be moved. Put a large bucket on top of the tarp or towels to collect anything that may fall when you pierce the bubble. Put on appropriate safety gear like goggles to avoid getting injured when the water comes down. (Keep in mind, it’s possible that drywall or plaster will come down as well when you release the water.) Then, gently poke a hole in the ceiling material where there is a bubble to allow the water to escape. Once the water is done coming down into the bucket, carefully pull or cut away any ceiling material that’s ruined so you can get a better look at the issue. It’s possible that you may need to cut away even further than you were expecting to get to the source of the problem, but you don’t want to just needlessly cut away at the ceiling because the bigger the hole is, the more material you’ll need to repair it later.

Next, aim to diagnose and repair the plumbing problem you’re having by looking for the original source of the water. If it’s not readily apparent (like a frozen pipe, loose fitting, or crack in the pipe), you may need to bring in a local plumber to help. A professional plumber will have leak detection tools that they can use to “see” behind your walls, above your ceiling, and below your flooring to help find areas of high moisture to identify the root cause of the problem.

If you have ceiling water damage, please give us a call at 1 (800) 674-9130. We will have someone come out as quickly as possible to look at your plumbing problem right away! You can trust that we have an experienced team that will do the work right the first time. Work with us today to find out why our customers trust us and recommend us to their neighbors.

Additional resources:
Who Does Burst Pipe Repair?
What Damage is Caused by Leaking Pipes?
What is a Plumbing Emergency?
What Should I Do After a Pipe Bursts?
Is Burst Pipe Repair Urgent?
Where is This Water Coming From??
Steps to Take After a Pipe Breaks
What's Up With My Water Bill?
Leaky Shower Repair
How to Repair a Leaky Kitchen Sink
What Temps Cause Pipes to Freeze?
When do Frozen Pipes Burst?
How to Handle a Frozen and Burst Pipe
How to Know If You Need Leak Detection Services
Can Leak Detection Help with Plumbing Issues?
Who Fixes Leaky Ceilings?
Water Tank Leaks
Leak Detection Systems Explained
How Do Plumbers Find Leaks?
What is The Best Water Leak Detector?