Plumbing

Are you noticing gray or brownish stains on your walls and ceilings? Are they in the basement, near pipes, or near appliances?

These stains likely are more than just unsightly – they can indicate a serious water leak. Let’s take a look at the common causes of these water stains in your home, how to find out where they’re coming from, and what you can do to correct them.

Brown or Gray Stains? They’re Water Stains

Brown or gray discoloration on your walls is often caused by water, such as from a leak somewhere in your plumbing. Water stains are usually light, but they often turn dark as the leak worsens, and they may resemble a coffee stain.

Water stains happen when water finds its way into your wall, such as from a roof leak, a cracked or broken pipe, damaged appliances, or other causes.
Usually, if you can see a water stain on your ceiling or wall, there’s already more significant damage hidden inside. You may have mold or rot as well, which can be hazardous to your health.

Where Do Water Stains Come From?

Before you can fix the stain, you have to find the source and correct it. The usual suspects are plumbing damage, malfunctioning appliances, or a roof leak.

Old or Damaged Plumbing

Leaking or broken pipes are a common cause of water stains on your walls or ceiling. This could be from numerous causes, including a burst pipe, a slow drip from a crack or leak, poor drainage, or an overflowing toilet.

Even a minor leak can cause a lot of damage in your home in a short period, especially since most of the damage is hidden behind the walls. If you have inspected your plumbing that you can see, such as the toilets, tubs, and faucets, you need a plumbing inspection to find the source and get it fixed.

Malfunctioning Appliances

Your dishwasher, water heater, washing machine, or HVAC system are all possible causes of your leak. These appliances have numerous components that can leak, especially if they’re older, overworked, or haven’t been maintained.

Usually, you don’t give much thought to these appliances, but if you notice water stains nearby, it’s important to call a plumber to get an inspection and repair any broken or damaged components.

Roof Leaks

If your plumbing checks out, your water stains are likely caused by your roof. Holes from animals, missing shingles, worn flashing around the chimney stack, or compromised areas of your roof can let water get in. It’s important to regularly inspect your roof for signs of damage or leaks and get them fixed as soon as possible.

How Can You Prevent Water Stains?

The best way to address water stains is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Regular maintenance and inspections for your home, especially for your plumbing and HVAC system, are important.

Ideally, you should schedule inspections and maintenance at least once a year if you have a newer home. If your home is older, you may need more frequent inspections to identify problems before they can escalate.

How to Cover Up a Water Stain

If you already have water stains, you must correct the problem and prevent further damage. Once that’s fixed, you can follow these steps to get rid of the stains.

Wipe Down the Area with Bleach

If you have bacteria or mildew near your water stains, bleach can kill it and help you eliminate that unsightly stain.

Create a mixture of one part bleach and three parts warm water, then apply it to the stained area with a sponge. It’s important to protect yourself with gloves, a respirator, and goggles, as bleach can be irritating to your skin, eyes, and lungs.

Make sure it dries completely before you move on to the next step.

Apply Stain-Resistant Primer

After the bleach dries, apply a stain-resistant oil-based primer to the stain. This creates a barrier that prevents moisture from seeping through the paint, so you won’t have a stain in the future. Though you may want to get right into painting, it’s essential to prime the area to keep the stain from showing through and to prevent future water stains.

Paint Over the Primer

Once your primer has dried, you can paint. If the stain is small, test paint samples to find a paint color that matches your wall or ceiling. This will save you a lot of time, money, and hassle.

If the stain is large or you can’t match the paint color, you will need to apply a fresh coat to your walls and ceiling.

Schedule an Inspection

Water stains don’t look pretty, but there’s a lot more to be concerned about than aesthetics. Water damage can be hazardous and expensive to fix, so take preventative steps with regular inspections and maintenance to protect your home.

If you need an inspection or a repair of your plumbing or HVAC system, contact the pros at JW Plumbing, Heating and Air!

company icon