Water is the cause of most bathroom drywall ceiling problems.
Bathrooms can suffer from a variety of problems related to the constant moisture and humidity in the room. Homeowners often find that the ceiling in the bathroom is discolored, mildew-stained and cracked in areas. To do an effective and lasting repair job for the damage in these areas, you must first control the moisture that contributes to the problem.
About Drywall Ceilings
Drywall is a building material made of gypsum plaster that is pressed between thick paper. It is often used for both walls and ceilings in home interiors. Drywall is easily damaged by moisture, particularly in rooms where water use is frequent and where humidity levels can remain high for long periods. The moisture can break down the outer layer of paper and permeate the gypsum interior where it leads to crumbling and cracking that shows on the wall or ceiling surface.
Leaks
On bathroom walls and ceilings, drywall frequently sees damage from leaking plumbing. You must track down the leak and fix it before attempting repairs on the drywall ceiling itself. Where a leak is visible is not necessarily the source of the water, however, according to Mark J. Donovan at the HomeAdditionPlus website. Toilets, sinks and bathtubs in the floor above the damaged ceiling should all be checked for leak problems. Leave the faucets off to determine if the problem is a supply line leak. If not, check all seals around the toilet and other fixtures to determine if the leak is coming from one of these sources. If not, you may have to cut into the wall to locate the source of the leak.
Mold Growth
Mold growth on the bathroom ceiling can leave an ugly mess on the ceiling above showers or bathtubs, which can be removed with a 50/50 solution of chlorine bleach and water if you scrub vigorously to remove the mold. Allow the area to dry thoroughly before priming with a mildew-resistant primer and topcoat of paint.
Weight and Pressure Problems
Another problem that can cause cracking and other damage to bathroom ceilings is due to roof trusses creating pressure on ceiling joists, according to home improvement expert Tim Carter at the AskTheBuilder site. Roof trusses can absorb water during wet seasons and uplift the ceilings of rooms located below, causing cracks and separations. Install L-shaped truss clips, available at home improvement stores, to eliminate this pressure problem.
Bathroom Ceiling Repairs
Drywall cracks can be repaired by filling the crack with drywall compound and then re-priming and repainting the area. Larger areas of damage may have to be removed and replaced with a drywall patch cut to size and patched in with drywall compound.
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