Ceiling Leaks After a Storm? Here's the Real Cause (And Fix)
Ceiling Leaks After a Storm? Here's the Real Cause (And Fix)
If you’ve walked into your living room after a storm and noticed water dripping from the ceiling—or a big, dark water stain—you’re not alone. At Total Home Water Restoration, we see this all the time after Ohio’s wind and hail storms roll through Grove City, Columbus, and surrounding areas.
Here’s what’s really happening, what it means for your roof and ceiling, and how to fix it for good.
Why Your Ceiling Leaks After a Storm
It almost always starts with your roof. Heavy rain, high winds, hail—any of that can damage shingles, flashings, or vents. And once water gets under your roof, gravity takes over.
It can pool under shingles, soak the roof decking, and slowly drip down through insulation and drywall until it shows up on your ceiling. The leak you see might be 10 feet away from where the water actually got in.
Most Common Causes We Find
Here are the usual suspects when we inspect storm-related ceiling leaks:
Missing or lifted shingles: Wind gusts can tear them right off.
Cracked flashing: Especially around chimneys and roof valleys.
Hail damage: Bruised or fractured shingles may look fine from the ground but can leak like crazy.
Clogged or damaged gutters: Water overflows and seeps in under the eaves.
Ice dams (in winter): Trapped water works its way under shingles and into your attic.
If you’ve had a roof replaced in the past 10-15 years and it's still leaking, poor installation might be to blame.
How We Fix It (The Right Way)
We don’t just patch the ceiling and call it done. That’s a Band-Aid. Here’s our process:
Full roof and attic inspection – We find where the water actually got in.
Moisture testing – Hidden moisture leads to mold and rot.
Roof repairs or replacement – We match materials and meet Ohio building codes.
Dry out and clean up – We use professional drying equipment to prevent mold.
Ceiling and drywall repair – Only after we know everything underneath is dry.
We follow IICRC S500 standards for water damage restoration and use Haag-certified roof inspections to back our recommendations.
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Not sure how serious your ceiling leak is? Watch for these signs:
Sagging or bubbling in the ceiling
Brown stains getting bigger
Musty smell (mold might already be starting)
Light fixtures filling with water
Drips that only happen when it rains
If you see any of these, don’t wait. The longer you do, the more costly the repairs get—and the more likely mold takes hold.
Local, Honest Help
We’re based right here in Grove City, OH. We’ve helped homeowners all over Franklin County, including Hilliard, Dublin, Westerville, Pickerington, and Upper Arlington, recover after storms.
We’ll work directly with your insurance, document the damage professionally, and handle everything from leak detection to ceiling replacement.
FAQ
How much does ceiling leak repair cost?
It depends on the roof damage and how far the water spread. Minor repairs start around $500. Major leaks or mold can cost more, but we’ll walk you through it up front.
Do I need a new roof?
Not always. We repair storm damage when it makes sense. But if the damage is widespread or your roof’s near the end of its life, replacement may be more cost-effective.
Can I just paint over the stain?
Only after we fix the leak and confirm everything’s dry. Otherwise, the stain (and mold risk) will just come back.
From disaster to done right. We fix it like it’s our own home.
Contact Total Home Water Restoration
📍 4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
📞 380-246-1837
