Brown stain on ceiling

jollyj1984

Hey, 

Hope Somone can help, about 6 months ago I noticed a small brown stain on the join between the ceiling and wall, it's only about 7cm X 1 cm but have been wondering what's causing this. 

I've taken some picture as access to the roof is hard but I have managed to see this mark? Its not directly over where the water stain is it's about 1m away so I would of thought I'd see more evidence? 

 the stain hasn't got any worse since I first noticed it and no other wet patches are noticeable. The brown mark looks worse as it's got my finger prints all over it!

parcival

Looks like a water stain that has dried out.  Stains can appear in funny places as water has a habit of finding it's way around even if you think the area above is solid......

princeofpounds

Well it's a bit hard to tell what is what on those surfaces with no context or detail, but it's quite likely to be damp. The cause of the leak does not need to be right next to where it appears inside - water can pool and wick along surfaces and pop out somewhere different.

Mark the outline of the damp spot with some dashes with a soft pencil and leave it through a couple of heavy rain periods, see if it's progressing or not.

That mark on the flat roof could be the problem, or it could be less obvious. It's worth checking where water pools on the roof during rainy periods. 

jollyj1984

princeofpounds said:

Well it's a bit hard to tell what is what on those surfaces with no context or detail, but it's quite likely to be damp. The cause of the leak does not need to be right next to where it appears inside - water can pool and wick along surfaces and pop out somewhere different.

Mark the outline of the damp spot with some dashes with a soft pencil and leave it through a couple of heavy rain periods, see if it's progressing or not.

That mark on the flat roof could be the problem, or it could be less obvious. It's worth checking where water pools on the roof during rainy periods. 

The water mark hasn't changed or gotten wet again for about 6 months and that's with alot of storms and heavy rain. There is no evidence anywhere else either or staining or wet ceilings. 
The mark looks like it's on the edge of the flat roof sitting over the gap in the cavity wall, the stain is at the junction of the inner wall and ceiling plasterboard board about 1 m away and half a meter below the "mark"

princeofpounds

It possible that whatever leak you had has plugged itself. Or, the water is now going somewhere else, like fairly harmlessly into your cavity. Or, it could be more esoteric, like a dead mouse just sitting above that exact spot (not likely - the fact that it's positioned where it is is strong suggestive of water ingress)

jollyj1984

What's the best way to approach this? If access was easier I would simply climb and patch this mark even as a precaution but to reach it would require the world's longest ladder or special equipment. 

Even if I call a roofer out he won't be able to access it...

Any ideas??

princeofpounds said:

It possible that whatever leak you had has plugged itself. Or, the water is now going somewhere else, like fairly harmlessly into your cavity. Or, it could be more esoteric, like a dead mouse just sitting above that exact spot (not likely - the fact that it's positioned where it is is strong suggestive of water ingress)

ryan7

If its either the kitchen or bathroom were water and steam are present then it could be condensation.
That size tho, most likely water that's penetrated. 

jollyj1984

ryan7 said:

If its either the kitchen or bathroom were water and steam are present then it could be condensation.
That size tho, most likely water that's penetrated. 

Could it be condensation from inside the roof that's dripped down the inner wall? The stain is only 7 cm X 0.5 cm , a thin strip at the join of wall/ ceiling