Water damage in your home is no small matter, particular if the damage is on your ceiling. It can be difficult to discern whether your ceiling has sustained water damage, a good indicator is the presence of mould around the area. Mould is a nasty fungus which grows by eating organic matter, and spreads by releasing spores into the air in order to reproduce. Mould can grow on a variety of surfaces, including wood and wallpaper, it can also appear on carpet in the form of mildew. Mould thrives under damp, moist conditions, which is why a leak from a water pipe can contribute to the growth of mould in your home. Under the right, damp conditions, mould can grow and spread in as little as 24 hours.

Is mould dangerous?

Some people will be more sensitive to the presence of mould in a home, particularly if they have an underlying health condition like asthma or a mould allergy. Mould can also cause allergic reactions in some people as they breathe in the spores that mould releases. If left untreated, mould can also damage furniture or structures of a building, like the roof and floor.

Other signs of water damage to look out for

Some light mould in your home could be a result of a lack of humidity and ventilation around your home. Carpeted rooms or rooms with windows which leak or sweat, will provide optimal conditions for mould growth. If you are unsure whether you have a leak, look out for other symptoms of a water leak around the suspected area. Try looking for:

• Visible water stains: yellow, rust or brown coloured stains on your ceiling could indicate you have a plumbing leak or a leak from an external source.
• Whilst you may not be able to spot any mould or visible water damage, mould and mildew has a distinctive smell. If you smell something a bit funky, you may want to have a professional investigate.
• Drooping ceiling: severe water damage will cause your ceiling to sag or droop, this will need to be immediately treated to prevent your roof falling in.
• Peeling or cracking paint: Any small change in the look of your ceiling could indicate water damage, check for peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper. If you notice any swelling in your walls this could also signal a water leak.

Next steps

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, contact ceiling leak detection specialists from Aspect, to book an inspection of your home. Traditionally, finding a leak was a very destructive process, as ceilings had to be investigated manually in order to find leaks. Tradesmen had to peel back carpets and drill through floors, leaving a lot of mess and clean up for the unlucky homeowner. New technology used by expert technicians from Aspect, follows a ‘trace and access’ method, leaving little to no damage to your home. These non-invasive methods allow experts to pinpoint the source of a leak within the structure of your home.

One piece of equipment which is frequently used to find leaks, is a thermal imaging camera. A technician will point the camera at the suspected area and the camera will highlight which areas are hot and cold. Hot areas, through a thermal image camera will glow a yellow colour, contrasting with the blue cold surfaces. Technicians may also use thin, bendy cameras to visually inspect the area, or auditory equipment, which listens for the vibrations emitted by leaky pipes. Tracer gas can also be used. A technician will put the harmless, odourless gas into the suspected leaking pipe, gas sensitive probes will then recognise areas in which the gas escapes, highlighting the problem area.