Water that should be outside is coming inside? No, this will not resolve itself. You have a leak in your roof and it’s getting into the space between your ceiling and the roof itself.

If left alone, eventually you will have a huge mold problem.

And winter is coming…

You have a hole in your roof. AFIK they haven't developed the roof that heals itself yet.

You have damage to your roof. It might be minor and fixed with a little timely maintenance.

But the longer you leave it the worst its going to get. The moisture will start damaging the structure of the home.

Get it fixed ASAP or you are going to look at a lot worst bill/having to rebuild some of the structure at least if you try to ignore it.

You also have to worry about mold. Moisture in your walls/cieling is how you get things like black mold or something else which will seriously fuck with the health of anyone inside and, again, be much costlier to clean up and fix the longer you leave it.

The water was likely running from another location then dripping through the spot you saw. When you pushed the screwdriver through, it may have created a small lip of soft material (drywall?) around the hole that now diverts the water around the hole and somewhere else. Picture it as the lip around a crater or an ant hole created by the upward pressure of soft, wet material by the screwdriver. The water drained quickly at first because it was above the 'rim' but once it went below, it started going to the next low point on your ceiling. That's my thought anyways.

Keep in mind that roofers want to put on new roofs. If you ask them whether you need a new roof, most will say yes. I called a roof inspector (who used to be a roofer) and he went up, took photos, wrote me a report that included recommended repairs and where to get the materials for them, and charged me less than $200. A roofer had said I needed a roof and bid the job at $13,000. That was 5 years ago and my roof is doing fine.

contact your insurance agent. You may be covered for a roof leak, I know my insurance would cover this.

Tarp on your roof NOW. Call a roofer ASAP. If you let this go on you’re fucked big time.

Not an issue that will resolve itself! Water damage is no joke and the longer you wait the more it will cost to fix.

Not seeing this perspective in the other replies yet but...

It may have stopped coming in because the wind is not blowing as much, or is blowing from another direction.

Storms can blow water downward, sideways and upwards. That you got water inside is clearly a problem, and tracing such an occasional problem can be very difficult, but you're doing the right thing in protection your roof until you can get an expert in to survey and report.

You should absolutely follow up with a professional.

However, I’ll saw I had a similar thing happen and it turned out that the volume of sideways rain from tropical storm Mathew had caused to blow into our vent for one of our bathroom fans - and leaked just a bit between the seams where the vent duct met the exterior wall. It happened once 6 years ago and never again.

You probably have a lot of drywall and insulation to replace in addition to the roof repair.

I have water coming in through the ceiling. The thing above the ceiling is the roof. It’s been raining. WhAt CoUlD Be hApPenInG

Some people shouldn’t own homes.

Also, there is a chance of event leaking. We had a leaky roof for months in an apartment and it was the toilet above that leaked when flushed. The apartment maintenance kept trying to say it was AC condensation.

This very thing happened to me when my wife put a 2.5 gallon water jug, like the fridge dispenser type, in an upstairs closet and unknowingly scraped a hole in the bottom of it.

Knew someone this happened. The drain for the drip pan beneath the AC unit in their attic was blocked by mouse nests and poop. The condensation overflowed out of the drip pan into the attic and did this.

>Edit: What could I do in the interim before I get a roofer in to take a look?

I realize this is DIY, but... Do you have insurance? Call your insurance company and tell them. They will likely pay for a professional tarp to prevent further damage, while they they investigate the repair claim. This sort of thing can be a big deal (mold, weakened beams, etc), so if you can, call in the pros.

If not, definitely a tarp, and read up on how to properly apply it to prevent more damage.

Start? Yes. Self resolve? Never.

When I had an issue like that it was a gasket around one of the vents that “failed”. Basically dry rot I guess. Easy Fix for a roofer if that’s the case.

Not much you can do now except put a fan on it. I live in Philly too - these guys are great and fixed a leak on my roof that I had multiple people out for who said they just couldn’t figure it out - they fit me in quickly and showed up on time and their prices were competitive - you know if you don’t have a reliable roofer already - https://roofdoctorphilly.com/

Your roof leaks, water is accumulating in the attic

weather is changing, check your AC drip pan for plugged up lines, if your drip pan is full you need to have it checked to find out why it is condensing so much

You need a new roof

Had this happen to me, the issues was a vent that wasn't sealed correctly and water was coming in from the storm but only at a certain angle. Is there a vent around that area

Are you the home owner or just renting? If home owner you can try to repair it temporarily but should probably plan on a new roof soon. If you can get onto the roof safely you can try to identify where the leak is coming from and patch it with these products. I'm also assuming it is a flat roof because of your location.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Henry-183-6-in-x-25-ft-Reinforcing-Fabric-HE183196/100067732

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Henry-208R-Rubberized-Wet-Patch-Roof-Cement-Leak-Repair-0-90-Gallon-HE208R142/100041225

I had a somewhat similar experience that involved an emergency overflow drain. It wasn't that poking a hole fixed the issue, but that the water from above seemed to randomly stop leaking when the outside weather conditions had not changed. It was a mystery until the landlord finally got someone to inspect the problem. It turned out the normal drainage mechanism would become temporarily clogged by random wind events, and then water would build up to a level where it drained through an "emergency" outlet intended to keep the weight of collected water below a certain threshold. It was just a piece of open PVC pipe packed into a brick wall around the affected area. When the normal drain was clogged, it would eventually allow water down onto my unit, but when the normal drain would somehow blow open etc., the water would stop leaking.

I don't understand your confusion. You're wondering why it stopped dripping? The roof clearly has a leak and it allowed in some outside water in, it's not gonna be a nonstop water source.

So this is way out in left field but I will tell you what I did for a hurricane issue.

I went up in the attic and found the damage. It was minor but enough that I could not just catch it in a storage tub. I got out my cooler and put it under the leak and went outside and grabbed my hose. I cut the end off and forced it over the outgoing cooler bib/nozzle.

Then just ran it down out of the attic into the nearest sink. Hindsight I could have just dropped it though the soffit.

Anyway it acted as a catch until I could fix the roof. Good luck. If you can find the issue and it is small I happen to use expanding foam and the covered it with flex seal and that held for over 6 months.

Dehumidifier and damp rid can pull the rest of it out.

> What's going on? Do these issues start and self resolve ever?

Hahahahaha, no.

Your ac unit isn't in the attic is it? Had this issue before and it turned out to be a clogged drain line for the ac.

Prob a water leak...

I also am from philly, my flat roofed house as a child had a lot of leaks and i've done the same as you.

you have a leak in the roof, that's running into a crawl space above you. You may believe there is just a roof above you, but there is an insulated crawl space. somewhere in the roof is a crack allowing water to pool in that crawlspace. It's gotten bad enough to soak thru the dry wall above your head.

you poked a hole and it drained out the pool of water, but you still have a leak.

If you allow it to continue, as my family had for years as a child, you will get the fun adventure of having mushrooms grow upside down from your ceiling.

I don't recommend eating them.

Storm = a lot of wind -> water is blown into holes or cracks in the curb part of your roof. Or underneath shingles which need to be reattached etc . Typically happens during rare conditions like a storm coming from a certain direction.

I work professionally in water mitigation, hold multiple certifications in said field, and am particularly known for (1) my mold work, (2) creative solutions to difficult problems, and (3) the ability to resolve difficult to find water sources.

You need to call insurance, file the claim, and let a professional start doing stuff that the insurance company will pay for, not you.

They will take down some ceiling where you've already poked a hole. When that is done, the problem will be relatively easy to find.

Run, don’t walk, for a roof tarp. Then call a good roofer. Inspect and video what is under the shingles/sheathing when they are exposed. Never ignore a water leak. The damage expands exponentially.

Is that a popcorn ceiling? Might want to test for asbestos now that you've poked a hole in it.

Ah! The drip from your ceiling is never directly under the hole in your roof. Water tracks sideways. Rain gets in roof hole, water makes a pool and finds a weak spot in the ceiling yards away.

Check the flashing round the roof edge.

This happened to my friend and water was coming through a loose piece of siding.

Someone flushed?

This is your home correct and not a rental??

That's what she said.

Is the other side of that wall an exterior wall? If so, I'll wager your gutters are overflowing and spilling out.

Also check your vent pipes. These are the pipes that stick out of the roof that are connected to your bathroom plumbing. They deteriorate and leak into the attic and then through the ceiling.

Great thread. That problem won’t resolve itself. I did roofing for 8 years. Lots of mold could be in the forecast if that isn’t fixed by a professional

Can you go in the attic and look? Maybe put some kind of container under the leak in the attic.

Being a drywall guy, it looks like that ceiling texture has been patched before

i think your issue is the ceiling. you have to remove it then therell be no water leaking through it anymore.

You gotta find where the water is getting in. Could be a leaky roof, could be strong winds that blew water through an attic vent or underneath the shingles something. A little water will eventually dry (if it's a one time event). Prolonged moisture will rot and mold, so prevention and dealing swiftly with the issue is the best way to go.

While you're waiting for the roofer, you should put a large bucket in the attic to catch the dripping water so it doesn't cause anymore damage. Then try to dry everything before it starts molding.

If you own, call insurance. I had my roof and gutters covered in a similar circumstance

Make sure your scupper box is clear and water is draining off your rubber membrane roof. Source: Philadelphian, rubber roof leaky fuckin house owner. Make sure the water is not getting up under the flashing.

Okay...the 'long' answer: Water comes from many sources. I'll run down the most common: Plumbing leak - if this is a single family home structure that's easy enough to determine whether applicable - I cannot 'see' your place so you'll have to determine that.

You don't indicate whether this is a condo (multi-floor structure), a multi-story structure of any kind, a duplex, etc.

You cannot tell just by 'looking' it takes some sleuthing - it's a kitchen which means it has many water source potentials. Most commonly it's a roof flashing where a sink vent, stove exhaust, or some other utility penetration (like a hot water heater exhaust). But could also be a water pipe, an icemaker pipe, heating/cooling drain pan.

You say there's 'no space' up there - so that tends to rule out HVAC pan/stuff. But the other elements are possibilities - as are adjacent room services (bath, shower, water closet, laundry room).

Just because it stopped doesn't necessarily mean it's a roofing/weather problem - but most likely.

As the water built up above the ceiling it eventually saturated and perforated enough to have water evidence inside the space. Prior it was contained above, and building up a volume of water. When you poked it drained out a majority of the 'reserves' - it still may be leaking from any source...just not enough for it to be leaking through the roof. It could still be soaking into other materials. You've just changed the water path. When you poke a hole you potentially create a 'mountain' on the other side - where the water cannot continue to leak out of the screwdriver poke through spot...and may be saturating/finding another location - gravity always working on the water.

I cannot see your roof...but if it is a roof leak - these are usually pretty small. Buildings expand and contract - different elements at different speeds/distances. Thus the problem is usually at a penetration.

Your roof consists (most likely) of 3 layers...the upper protective/sun/water layer - this could be tile, shingles, rubber, tar rolled - lots of options here. Below that you have the vapor barrier or tar paper...and below that the roof sheathing (plywood most commonly).

Water, mostly wants to go 'down'...as many have said it can leak in one spot and travel along a pipe, conduit or rafter through adhesion/surface tension, and migrate to a spot where it has to drip down...and eventually start to puddle.

You cannot assume it's just the roof from what you've said - you'll have to get up there and find out the reason.

I'm assuming your home is a flat roof with nothing above it (I would hope you'd be smart enough to share/consider other leak sources - like an adjacent tenants toilet or piping...so I'll assume this is 'your house' and a single family dwelling just without an attic. No attic does make things harder.

If you're certain you've located the leak - many posts here have discussed how to locate and how to remedy - so I'll not waste their efforts repeating.

As for insurance - they're always looking for a reason to say "NO" or an avenue to decrease their obligation. It's through documentation you prove this later - and be certain your claim adjuster and EVERYONE knows you're collecting evidence - and retaining it. Your policy either covers this event, or it does not - I cannot answer that. If it does cover it they'll be looking for a way to save money or pay nothing. Showing good faith IMMEDIATE effort to remedy goes a lot farther than 'doing the wrong thing' - But wrong efforts which further cause damage could be held against you. The sooner you can get professionals out there - PAID AND UNDER CONTRACT the better. Just having them show up and review does show good faith but that company isn't responsible until you engage them through payment/writing.

Consider the potential for further harm to the structure and take steps to remedy that. That is what 'they' will use against you. Client learned of leak and DID NOTHING ABOUT IT for X # of days. That's wording that will look bad for you. You saying: I discovered the leak and 20 minutes later we sourced the location and put up pots/pans or hit it with silicone and called professionals would look great for your side. Chances are though, if you're covered the insurance will just pay without incident...these stories of them not paying usually has some mitigating factor or the 'real story' that wasn't told. Like a roof that knowingly leaked for months.

Anyway water leaks aren't rare. It could be anything from blown water in/under tiling...to ripped up shingles due to wind/animal...to a very old roof needing replacement...or something as small as a TINY crack that occurred at a roof vent...and is rolling down the roof vent to a collection spot, collected and eventually showed up inside at the kitchen.

I don't know your age, ability, tools on hand, or mechanical capabilities so I'll not 'instruct' you to do anything. Mostly if you can locate the leak caulking is enough to solve the problem for the short term until pro's can come fully remedy. If it's a leak that you cannot spot tarping the whole roof may be needed. Again, too many complexities there for a 'simple discussion' on that. Tarps also leak...and the potential for blown in water still exists. As does rooves are large areas where tarps are big and heavy. And without knowing the size, and weight abilities of your roof I'm not going to advise you to go up there. If you do choose to do that, be safe...use proper safety gear. And remember, that tarps work like shingles, remember to start at the bottom and leave plenty of overlap if you need multiple tarps.

I don't know the 'strength' of your roof...or how long this saturation has happened. Roof sheathing is very strong even when wet...but long term rotting can lead to structural failures and walking on a roof can considerably further damage a poor situation. Make sure as much of your inspection happens from below prior to you considering going on the roof. For all I know you're 72 years old and don't even belong in the category of even pulling out a ladder.

So don't assume it's 'rain' and don't assume that just because it 'stopped' it's because it's not raining. The hole - as many have said - or the problem will NOT FIX itself. Once the liquid barrier is broken it'll keep leaking until the water source is removed.

For all I know you've got a poorly insulated line up there and you're getting condensation drips - thats where warm/moist air hits a cool surface like water drops on the outside of a cool drink. Ultimately there's water where you don't want it coming out and it won't 'fix' itself without you causing that to happen. If it's a leaking water pipe just create some runoff path - something as easy as a string tied for the water to follow is enough. If it's a pressurized line that you can shut off - do so and turn it on as needed to minimize downtime leaking. If it's a line that can be unused (such as an ice maker feed) - just suffer without it for a while.

As you said there's no space - I'll assume you know what you're talking about. But common leaks are from pans, drain lines, or overflow lines from HVAC units. There's also a secondary pan below the unit that can also leak. Where I live/work I hear people all the time say 'we do not have an attic' - but there is a crawlspace. To them attic means something they can climb up into and store stuff via a ladder or stairs. If it's just 'roof above' as you say it makes tracking down the leak source easier - or harder depending on viewing angles available. Ultimately you have to find the leak and plug it and determine how best to proceed depending on what is leaking, how, and why. Good luck.

Good luck neighbor, I’m a few miles over the Ben Frank in Jersey and our ceiling has a similar leak :(

No issues in your house resolves itself. And it's always better to fix things ASAP.

It was puddling somewhere between the roof and the ceiling. You only poked where some water was pooling.

Step one. Look at your roof. It is not uncommon for plastic roof vents to lose their top cover during high winds. It will be pretty obvious if one is missing. Step 2. Check in attic. Once again roof jacks are very common leak spots, I would examine the range vent and any other vents above where the kitchen is. With any solid pipe going to the roof, you may need to feel the pipe to tell if water is running down the side. Step 3. Seal the problem with roofing tar or replace the roofjacks if needed.

It could be your air handler If it is up there. You need to go check around the unit , especially the drain pan . If there is no water in the drain pan then make sure the inside of the unit is draining correctly to the condensation line (pvc pipe)

If all that is fine then make sure the unit is level, sometimes a unit that is not level can have draining issues and will leaking can occur.

If you are absolutely sure it's not the ac unit then go up on the roof and check shingles, they are cheap. If you hire a roofer or hvac guy to check the roof and system you will get charged, a lot .

Leaky roof or flashing rotted away around venting. You need to get this fixed ASAP. It's more than just a potential mold problem. Could be a fire hazard too if water gets on electric wires.

At the first place I lived when I worked in Norway had this problem, but only when someone showered upstairs - might be worth looking this up thoroughly Indeed

not unless someone left a hose running in the rafters

It's also possible that it's condensation depending on your Insulation/ plaster boarding. We've had water condense between the foil backed board and insulation

Your house is sad and is crying

My guess is you have a slow leak that pooled below it over weeks, then you drained the pool and even though you still have the leak it's slow enough that it dries before it pools again.

Cut out a square of the drywall and find the leak otherwise it'll cost you 10 of thousands in black mold removal.

I am a roof designer. Please get this looked at by a professional. You are most likely facing structural damages, leading to weaknesses in your roof. The most likely candidate is damage to the panelling overlaying your rafters or trusses or damage to the fascia/soffit boards.

The last thing you want is your ceiling joists going rotten/soft and caving in. This is unlikely, however you should still get this looked at asap as even the smallest changes can cause large deviations in the roof structure.

When you say there is no room above, there most probably is unless it’s a flat roof. Not a habitable room, but attic space. This space may contain your cold water storage tank or other plumbing which could be leaking and also be a candidate for this issue. Check your water pressure is as normal. Contact your land lord rigit away if you have one.

Check your guttering. I had water overflowing from the gutter and getting forced up in to the gap between roof tiles. It was coming in between the upstairs ceiling and loft floor, reaching the chimney breast before dripping down in to my bedroom.

I had the gutters empties (I paid to have hedgehogs put in them so who knows what happened to those). The guy basically pulled a big chunk of turf about 2 foot long and the problem was solved.

If one of those two walls is an external wall with guttering (or old brickwork), it could be the problem. Sounds like it is if it's a room with a roof above it.

It's condensation. Completely fine

It's probably roof damage, but two other things I've seen are condensation dropping off a saggingAC evaporator line due to the insulation around the line corroding (not sure if you have central air) and a leak on a wax toilet ring due to heavy plunging. It's worth checking what's above the water damage.

Hole in the roof, call that roofer even if to do a temporary patch. Water is collecting above the vapor barrier, Punching a hole trough the vapor barrier makes matters worse by allowing ceiling plaster to get wetter faster. You'll also need someone who can repair vapor barrier and plaster, and possibly even attic insulation.

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> Do these issues start and self resolve ever?

Absolutely. I have a homeopathic general contractor. She gave me a tincture that'll clear up pretty much any non-structural problem in just a few weeks.