Is this a leak or damp?

ChrisM78

Firstly, I'm quite clueless about DIY/home matters - I've had marks on part of the main room ceiling in my top floor flat (with a loft above) for a month or so, but they've particularly worsened over the last week. There's no water coming in through the ceiling but the brown marks are a bit colder to the touch than the non-brown areas - the marks cover an area about 1/2 a metre wide. Any advice would be appreciated! 

Ayr_Rage

A leak from above.

ChrisM78

So I guess it's a case of getting a roofer out?

Eldi_Dos

If you have a ladder and a access hatch to the loft, stick your head up and with a torch have a look around, especially in that area.

ChrisM78

It's an awkward part of the loft to get to with very limited space height wise to crawl into. 

Eldi_Dos

ChrisM78 said:

It's an awkward part of the loft to get to with very limited space height wise to crawl into. 

Could you reach it from the hatch with a selfie stick?

Baldytyke88

Go in the loft and look, is it a brand new development. It doesn't look like a leak, a leak would spread outward, what is covering the ceiling?

WIAWSNB

Check your deeds - who is responsible for the loft and roof?
In most cases it will be communal, so part of the Freeholder's responsibility. If so, you contact the FH to sort. They should hopefully have a list of trades folk they can call on.

Swipe

ChrisM78 said:

It's an awkward part of the loft to get to with very limited space height wise to crawl into. 

If you go to a roofer without identifying the source there's a good chance you could be taken advantage of.

WIAWSNB

Chris, have you checked your lease to see who's responsible for it?