I have a slow leak in the ceiling in the basement of my house.It has permeated the ceiling dry wall and I ...?

Question

have plugged it temporaroly.When I stck my hand in the ceiling I can feel the moisture but I do not know which pipe. Any ideas??
Please feel free to speculate.
Thanks.

Answer 1

Whatever is leaking, it has to be fixed. If you leave it as it it, the moisture will certainly let mold start growing. This can lead you to a toxic situation where you are allergic to your own house. Also, the moisture can cause the wood frame of the house to begin rotting. Then you will have a VERY VERY expensive problem, if it's severe enough.

The best thing to do is to bite the bullet, cut into the drywall, and find that leak. It might be right above this wet spot, and you have to fix just 1 pipe and repair the drywall. It might be up inside a wall, in which case you'll have to start cutting open walls on the 1st or even 2nd floor if you have one, until you find the leak. But don't put it off. It will only get worse, and more expensive.

Answer 2

What is above the ceiling? You may have to look before you have to replace the whole thing. If you have a kitchen or bath above it it could be the hot otr cold water or the drain from a sink...hopefully not a waste drain. There should be a way to look in whatever room is above it or whatever lines may be over the ceiling and feel the lines to see it they are wet. Then you'll know If you can't figure that out you'll need a good friend or a plumber to pay a leg to.

Answer 3

If you check upstairs around any plumbing fixtures...ie. sink, toilet, etc...and you notice no dampness the problem could be a drain or water line hidden in the floor joists. since your basement ceiling is already wet/damaged it may need replaced so you need to cut out and area to find the leak and then repair it and patch your ceiling.

Answer 4

call for help..........

you can't do it yourself.

don't know whjere problems lie...

plummer might can't help

might take a mason..

good luck