How do I fix water damage on the ceiling that leaked from the bath?

Hello Gail! So the plumber came once to find a leak. Did your plumber find and repair a leak? And now it's leaking again--around the tub? Before you fix your ceiling in the kitchen you need to find the second leak. Obviously water is

coming from somewhere to damage your ceiling. You may have to plug a lamp in somewhere in the kitchen so you have light until the issue is resolved.

Gail.

One of the challenges you face is the possibility of mold growth. Soaked ceilings do not just dry on their own and are then okay, unless it was just a small area with some minor staining. You need to insure you have solved the leak issue before repairing your ceiling or you might find yourself doing it all over again. Generally, all the soaked ceiling material needs to be removed, any mold needs to be remediated, light fixtures need to be checked, and new ceiling material installed. Removing the soaked ceiling will help identify where the leak is originating from. Water can run along framing until finding a low spot. Call another plumber if you need to once the ceiling is opened up. This youtube shows one way to approach your problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIgllzb4YSo

Hello Gail,

Do call your insurance company and make a claim. They can arrange the rest for you. If you have no insurance and the property is owned by you, sort the Plumbing problem first, then the electricity, then the ceiling, or call in a good Builder to sort it out for you. If the property is rented - Call your Landlord NOW!

I agree with John to immediately contact your insurance company or landlord. You need big help asap!!!

1. Call original plumber back and make sure you have pics and documentation of all his visits, work, results, etc. You may need to take him to Small Claims Court to recoup what you paid him as the issue is not resolved.
2. Get direction and and assistance from you insurance company. Ask that they send water remediation experts to dry things out as well as an approved plumber to find and repair the existing leak.Any delay on this is awful and you must do everything you can to keep your home safe. Get fans, heaters, and dehumidifiers going in the house. RENT commercial sized units! (this is if you don't have insurance or they are delaying). The quicker and better you get things dried out, the better your outcome will be! More water, more damage, more time, more money.
3. IF you are an experienced DIYer, and this has been pre-approved by the insurance company (do NOT do anything yourself to jeopardize the claim), once things are dried out start removing the damage. Keep going and follow the path the water took. Evaluate EVERYTHING! Anything that got even moist must go. Do not cut out wood unless you're sure it's not load-bearing. If/when you reach anything you don't know how to do, get an expert! MAKE SURE THE ELECTRICITY IS TURNED OFF ANY TIME YOU'RE WORKING ON THIS! Water + electricity + you = doom
4. Hopefully, your insurance company has taken care of all this. Hopefully, you have "replacement insurance" that will pay to rebuild everything at the prices of today's products, not the age they were.

Best wishes for a good outcome.

Also, I had a ceiling damaged from an upstairs leak. Removed everything that was wet (drywall) and covered the ceiling with beadboard panel. I used the existing rafters to screw into and attached trim pieces over the edges. Easy to cut a hole for the ceiling fan (this was a powder room) using a jigsaw. I "painted" the screws with nail polish to match the stain of the beadboard. Cheap, easy DIY that this woman did alone! Looked terrific and visitors always commented on the ceiling. 😎