If large water stains form in your bathroom ceiling every time you take a shower, you could be due to steam, condensation, or both. You could also have a problem with the pipelines and fittings connected to your shower head. Learn why you have damp spots in your bathroom ceiling and how to keep them from occurring below.

How Did Damp Spots Form in Your Ceiling?

Bathroom plumbing is one of the most unique and complex systems in your home, including the fixtures sitting behind your shower wall and ceiling. The fixtures that supply your shower head with hot and cold water include a network of valves, ports, and pipes. If something breaks, corrodes, or loosens up behind your shower wall, water could potentially leak into your bathroom.

To repair the leak behind your shower wall and ceiling, you must first locate the sources behind the leak. If the damp spots only show up when you take a shower, there may be a loose connection or break in your shower arm or shower faucet. Shower arms and faucets will generally stop leaking once you turn off the water supply to them. 

If damp spots form in your ceiling and/or shower wall without the water running, you could have a defective hot or cold water line in your bathroom. The valves and ports supporting one of your water lines may be corroded or loose. This type of leak can cause substantial water damage throughout your bathroom. 

Now that you know why you have water stains in your ceiling, you can go ahead and repair the problem.

What Can You Do to Keep the Spots Away?

You don't want to make any repairs to your shower until you speak directly with a plumbing contractor. Remember, the leak could be in any parts or fixtures in your shower. If you misdiagnose the problem, you could make the leak worse. 

A contractor can diagnose every fixture in your shower, including the water lines behind your shower wall and ceiling. If the cold or hot water lines are broken, a contractor will need to fix them before they proceed with any other repairs. Otherwise, the leak could damage your entire bathroom. 

If your shower faucet or arm leaks, a plumbing contractor can replace it with a new or upgraded fixture. Your new shower faucet or arm should be strong enough to support your family's bathing needs.