How to Remove Water Stains from Ceilings
69So you had a leaky roof a while back and now that it is fixed your ceiling has a gigantic water stain on it. Water stains on ceilings are unsightly but not too hard to get rid of.
You cannot actually remove the stain from your ceiling. All that is left to do is cover it up. This can be done with a stain blocking paint. The best to my knowledge is called Kilz.
I have had a lot of experience in home improvement. I worked for many years in home construction and do not know everything, but I have extensive knowledge in the area of remodeling, Painting a ceiling isn't hard to do really as long as you prep the area well.
Cover anything that is not to be painted. Use painters tape where the wall and ceiling meet or where the cornice molding meets the ceiling. If you are painting the kitchen ceiling be sure you cover up all your cabinets. Cover the walls and floor with disposable drop cloths.
For those who have acoustic ceiling tiles, or a drop celing as I call it, replacing the stained tile(s) with a new one is the best and easiest way to fix it.
Safety
When painting there will always be splattering paint froma roller. It can't always be seen, but it is there. Safety glasses is necessary for keeping paint out of your eyes while you paint and a cap or other type covering for oyur head should be used. Keep small children and pets away from paint because it could harm them fatally.
Different types of Paint
Flat paint is the easiest paint to use. No matter how you put it on it will look the same. You don't have to keep a wet edge as you go along a wall or ceiling. You can always touch up any spot you may have missed later.
Glossy paints are harder to use. You must always keep a wet edge and finish the whole wall or ceiling before stopping. Any spot you touch after it has dried with new paint will be easily seen because it will have more gloss than the rest of the area.
Enamel paint is a tough paint that endures much more than flat or glossy paint.
Are you willing to paint your own walls and celing?
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It really isn't that hard to paint a ceiling. Most of the hardest work is in preparation. Always check and make sure everything is covered, because I would hate for you to end up getting paint on something that you didn't want it on. The same technique can be used to paint walls also. Walls are easier to paint because you are not all over the room as you are with a ceiling.
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LOL, LG, I was thinking of those right after I started writing this hub. Thanks for reminding me. I need to update for those tiles. Those tiles can simply be changed out with a new one. Stains cannot actually be removed from them to my knowledge.
Thanks for the read and comment. MY memory isn't as good as it used to be. :P
ok,nice hub,,but still would rather just have sir dent to show up to fix it(LOL) am not a handy person and am allergic to paints
The ceiling in my trailer is so stained I think it would be easier to buy "stained" colored paint! I first need to remove the cookie dough from the ceiling tiles...although it does offer a unique trxtured look.
In all seriousness I needed this Hub! Thank you!
Lsilly, for enough cash I could do it you know. Of course travel time and exenses will have to be included, unless you live down the road from me.
Pest, Kilz comes in colors also. It is by far the best stain blocker I have seen or used. I am also glad it helps you.
You didn't give the option of "Yes, I've painted them all already!"
Good information, but what about those stains that shouldn't be painted over, such as grease, tar, mud, and other things boys drag in? Does Kilz cover them too? :D
I didn't know Kilz came in colors! All our Lowes has it white.
Now about those tiles. One has to by them in a lot--like a box of 8 or 10 and last time I chefcked they don't break boxes ike that. I have seen them do it with fgloor tiles though---go figure! I only need like 3 of them. They are the smaller sturdier ones and a bit more expensive. You know, trying to save money!!
Any tips on that?
Hey I got first dibs if he comes out to do work on someone's house ;)
Christa, Kilz will cover any stain no matter what it is. If the stain is really heavy you may need to apply two coats.
LG, Only thing I can think of is to find someone who is using the same tile and see if you can buy only what you need. My other suggestion would be buy the whole box, and take good care of what's left, just in case.
Ok, Owings Corning put it in when they finished off the small partial basement. I can't get them to do anything.
I assume the leak that caused the stain is fixed. If it is a small space, maybe yoiu could paint the tiles. Just paint all of them. Kilz also comes in spray paint.
Yes it has been fixed a long time ago. I also didn't know Kilz came in spray. I must get my hubby to take me back to Lowes and do a thorough look around some more. Only thing with that--I will spend more money!!! Lowes is one of my Favorite Stores!! Soon they will have the Garden Section back in!! I can't wait! LOL Thanks for the help.
I love Lowe's also LG. It does cost money to go there, but just think of the joy that wil come from a really nice clean ceiling for years to come. ;)
I forgot to mention. This hub is already on the first page of Google.
LOL LOL LOL
This is funny, I saw you hub, chuckled and said to myself "yeah, re-paint your ceiling."
And walla. That is what your hub said.
I thought I was going to learn a trade secret here. My ceilings need re-painted. So okay, I'll learn from SirDent how to fix this easier. And what? I have to re-paint. Yeah, painting ceilings does go fast and easy. Just have to cover everything.
Keep on Hubbing!
Thanks for the read and comment Eovery. Sorry about not revealing a secret I have been keeping to myself for thousands of eyars, but you kno0w how it is.
Eovery, It is easy if your ceilings are flat! Mine are vaulted and it is hard even with an extention pole on the end of the roller!
LG, you can buy extension poles that are telescopic.
Where!!!?? You mean that they will retract when reaching the lower part of the deiling and extend when you are getting to the higher part? That is COOL!!! Man that would be great and we could actually re-pint our living room ceiling now that the guy who did the fireplace got mortar on the ceiling above that.
Lowes should have them LG. Just go to the paint center ands tell them what you need.
On a side note. No one has voted to pay me $100,000 to come to their house and paint their ceiling. I wonder why?
Maybe your price is a bit too steep. lol
But I am the best at what I do. :P
You're funny!!!
Oh really?
Nice hub!
Thanks for sharing! My dad has had a recent roof issue that left an small stain in the living room ceiling I just can't seem to get out. I'll take your advice and give it a shot!
ng0208, let me know how it goes. If there are any problems let me know and I will help as much as possible.
what about stains on a stomped ceiling that isn't painted?
Get ready to paint Dave. Stains can only be covered with something that can block them from bleeding through. The best way is to block the stains, then paint the ceiling.
can I block the stain then restomp?
You could do that. If the stain is blocked, it will not come back.
Lady Guinevere Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago
Now that is good, but how does one remove water stains from acoustic ceiling tiles? They are the ones that hang in a frame. I think that is what they are called. They are porous, I believe.