Why Your Ceiling Is Stained After It Rains

A brown ring on the ceiling after rain means water is getting in somewhere. Here is how to read it.

The Stain Is Not the Leak

Water runs along rafters, pipes and insulation before it drips through the ceiling. The stain can be several feet from the real entry point.

That is why patching the spot under the stain rarely fixes the problem.

Common Sources

Flashing at chimneys, walls and valleys, cracked pipe boots, missing shingles, ice or wind damage and clogged gutters are common causes. Condensation from poor ventilation can also create stains.

A roofer traces the water from the attic to the roof.

What to Do

Photograph the stain and note when it appears. Protect the floor, then call a roofer. Let a drywall pro repair the ceiling after the leak is fixed.

If the ceiling bulges, release the water carefully into a bucket.