What to Know About Kitchen Ceiling Repairs After a Leak

A ceiling leak in your kitchen isn’t just frustrating—it can lead to mold, rot, and damaged insulation fast. Whether it’s from a pipe above or an appliance gone wrong, fixing the ceiling the right way matters. At Total Home Water Restoration, we’ve handled more of these than we can count in Grove City and the Columbus area, and here’s what we always tell homeowners:

First: Stop the Leak at the Source

Before you touch the ceiling, find and fix the water source. Common culprits include:

• Burst pipes in the ceiling or wall cavity

• Overflow from a bathroom above

• Leaking roof lines, especially during storms

Until the source is stopped, any repair is just a temporary patch.

Next: Assess the Damage

We check three things right away:

• Drywall integrity — Is it sagging, cracking, or soft to the touch?

• Insulation — Wet insulation behind the ceiling needs to be pulled and replaced to prevent mold.

• Electrical — If water got near lights or wiring, bring in a licensed electrician.

Dry It Out—Fast

The key to avoiding mold? Speed. We bring in commercial air movers and dehumidifiers within 24 hours. According to IICRC S500 guidelines, drying should begin within 48 hours of the incident to reduce contamination risk.

Cut Out and Replace the Damaged Ceiling

Once everything’s dry and safe, we cut out any water-damaged drywall and replace it. In most kitchens, this means matching:

• Ceiling texture (knockdown, smooth, etc.)

• Paint sheen (flat or eggshell usually)

• Trim or crown molding (if affected)

If it's a popcorn ceiling in an older home, we check for asbestos before disturbing it, per EPA and local health codes.

Watch for Mold

If you waited a few days before finding the leak, or if there's a musty smell, we’ll check for mold. IICRC S520 standards tell us when full mold remediation is necessary—especially if there’s visible growth or high moisture levels behind the drywall.

Insurance and Permits

We help homeowners handle insurance claims every week. Depending on the damage, your policy may cover:

• Drying and remediation

• New drywall and paint

• Insulation and electrical work

In Grove City and Franklin County, replacing drywall and electrical often requires permits. We pull those for you and make sure the job passes final inspection.

How Long Will It Take?

• Dry-out phase: 2–3 days

• Demo and drywall: 1–2 days

• Painting and finishing: 1–2 more days

We’ve turned around full kitchen ceiling repairs in under a week when needed.

When You Need a Pro

If your ceiling is bulging, cracked, or if you can see water stains growing—don’t wait. A quick call can prevent mold, rot, and expensive structural repairs.

Call Us Today

Total Home Water Restoration
4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
📞 380-246-1837

We fix it like it’s our own home.