Blog>Questions>What's causing damp in my bedroom?

Last updated: 31 October 2023

What's causing damp in my bedroom?

A damp patch in the corner of your bedroom is disconcerting. Find out what might be causing it and how to fix it in this quick read.

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It can be worrying to see a damp patch develop in the corner of your bedroom ceiling or on the wall. And you're probably wondering, what's causing damp in my bedroom? Keep reading to find out more.

What's causing damp in my bedroom?

Damp is indicative of water penetration, so to understand how to remedy the situation, you first need to figure out where the water is coming from.

NB. If the patch on your ceiling is mould/mildew, the problem is more likely to be condensation. Better ventilation is typically needed.

Where is the water coming from...?

If you have a damp patch on your bedroom ceiling, there are normally two ways in which the water has been able to penetrate.

  1. A leak in a pipe in the loft

  2. A leak in the roof

1. A leaking pipe

If you are able to access the loft, carefully inspect the area above the damp patch to see whether you can identify any leaking pipes.

If the pipe is/has been leaking, you will notice wetness around the pipe itself or a wet patch or watermark on the area below the pipe.

In this case, contact a qualified plumber without delay.

2. A leak in the roof

If there's no visible sign of a leaking pipe in the loft above the damp patch in your bedroom, the other culprit could be the roof.

A professional roofer will be able to safely inspect the roof and surrounding area above the bedroom in question.

If water is penetrating the roof (leading to a damp bedroom ceiling), it'll normally be due to one of these factors:

  • A problem with your guttering

  • Loose roof tiles

  • A problem with your lead flashing

Guttering, lead flashing, and roof tiles all work to keep rainwater out of your home. If any of these elements are compromised, water can easily find its way in and cause damp inside your property.

It's important to act fast. Water penetration can cause costly damage to a property, so it's best to contact a professional tradesperson at the first sign of damp on your bedroom ceiling.

Once the root cause of the problem has been fixed, ensuring the area is clean and dry, apply a stain block spray or paint to the damp area. You may need two coats. Once dry, paint the ceiling with the colour emulsion of your choice.

Find a local tradesperson you can rely on

Whether you're in need of a plumber or roofer, we can help. When you need to find a reliable, experienced tradesperson quickly, look no further than the trusted Checkatrade directory.

Every member is checked and approved by us, so you know you're getting the real deal. We also check every member review, so you can rely on all the customer testimonials you see on Checkatrade.

To see who comes highly rated in your local area, simply add your postcode to the search box below.

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