any thoughts?

[rabbits]

About wo years ago I had a leak coming through on the ceiling in my flat. I called the roofer in, who said it was the chimney flashings which needed re-doing. After that was done I gave it a long time to dry out, stain-blocked it, then painted. It is now back in exactly the same spot. Called roofer in who has checked, he says it is not flashings, they are fine, and can see no other problems up there. So I called plumber in to check up in attic. He says there is nothing leaking up there, and where the leak is coming through it is as dry as a bone, no sign of any dampness at all. To the touch the ceiling is slightly damp, but it definitely seems to be getting bigger. The roofer did say it could be the old leak 'bleeding' through, but it is bigger now than it was originally and if it was that would the plumber not have found it to be a bit damp around that area. Any thoughts would be helpful

[snook]

I had a big spill, years ago, in a spare bedroom - a five-gallon wine container (home brew) got tipped over!! I gave the mark on the ceiling time to dry out, then I painted over it, then the ceiling was repainted some time later. The mark came through again! Someone told me I'd have to gloss paint it out, then paint over it, so I did that. It seemed to work, but then some time later it came through again. It's still there, years later. Damn that wine, powerful stuff!!

That ceiling's due for repainting soon. I'm going to take off the plaster in that area (it's fairly small) and replaster it - I think it's the only way.

In your case, if it's not like the situation I've just mentioned and it is actually still damp, I'd get up in the loft myself and check it out. If there's nothing there causing it, give it a bit longer to dry out. Try glossing it then, and if you have the same problem I did (stain coming back) cut to the chase and take a piece out of the ceiling. Cut it nice and square, and make sure both sides of the piece lie across rafters so you can fix the new piece in place securely.

[snook]

Oh, and skim it, of course!

[theo_wyvern]

similar issue - had the roof redone, flashings, sailor hats on pots and some repointing but still a damp patch - think it is the guttering as reappears each time it rains, could also be more repointing to do !

[Brinjal]

I had a problem with the gutters being blocked with leaves andthe water came up up the gullys and under the flashing. After repainting the mark idnt come back but one of my friends is having a problem with reoccuring marks even tho the ceiling is dry. Maybe it is the type of ceiling board.