Brown spots on kitchen ceiling (below bathroom)

cranmon19

Hi everyone,

We moved into our brand-new house 2 months ago, a typical 1950's house. This week we noticed these brown spots on our kitchen ceiling (seemingly right below the bathroom) which seem to have come out of nowhere.

We're new to DYI and this is our first home so would appreciate some pointers. Are we correct to assume this is water damage? Any way to tell if it's leakage from below or dampness in the room?

Our air humidity typically hover around the mid-high 60's, which I understand is on the high side but within normal levels. We have just had a building survey where nothing major was flagged up but understand these things aren't always reliable.

Thanks all in advance!

neilmcl

Looks like water dripping down, in particular it seems to be pooling around that light fitting. You'll need to investigate what pipes or water sources are directly above that area. It's either that or you've had an accident in the kitchen with something and managed to splash the ceiling. It's looks fairly recent too.

BTW, how can a "brand new" house be a typical 1950's house? Do you mean its a new house to you or it really is a brand new build but in a 1950's style?

NSG666

Unusual patterning suggesting fixings yet so close to the light fitting. As neilmcl has said it's most likely water from above unless something has splashed up from below e.g. fizzy drink or some kitchen accident.

If it is from above then bear in mind that water tends to find the lowest point before showing itself so the offending leak might not be directly above the light fitting but could be c.1m away so check back of bathroom basin, w/c, towel radiator before removing any bath panel. If you have a shower do check the silicone seal between the tiles and the tray/bath and also look for fine hairline cracks in the grout of the tiles.

Rosa_Damascena

The distribution is consistent with a pooling and splash and the to the naked eye the chromatography suggests a fatty element. 

Is the bathroom floor sealed tight?

NSG666

Rosa_Damascena said:

The distribution is consistent with a pooling and splash and the to the naked eye the chromatography suggests a fatty element. 

Is the bathroom floor sealed tight?

Who are you calling 'fatty'?

Rosa_Damascena

NSG666 said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

The distribution is consistent with a pooling and splash and the to the naked eye the chromatography suggests a fatty element. 

Is the bathroom floor sealed tight?

Who are you calling 'fatty'?

Not sure...a cup of milky coffee perhaps?

Bendy_House

That does look like a small leak from above. And a possible way to confirm would be to remove that light fitting and use a USB camera endoscope - you can get these for not a lot, and I think they'll even work with phones.