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Why do water leaks leave BROWN stains on ceilings?
A leak of clean water (overflow from sink) seeped through the ceiling of the room below. As soon as it dried (over the next day or two) a brown ring appeared.
I know the water was clean. The drywall itself 'should' have acted like a filter, right? Not allowing 'dirt' to leak through... but why is the stain brown?
Is it color from the brown paper backing from the drywall board? If it is, then why are brown stains also on real plaster (that doesn't have paper)?
I know the solution is bleach, Kilz/primer and fresh paint - I am just curious to know the cause of the brown stains.
Several early posters say mold or bacteria. However, the stains appear almost immediately -- long before that much mold could grow.
These are interior stains, so water from the roof or outdoors are not the cause.
6 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Ferric iron (which is a fancy name for dissolved/precipitated iron). It can leave brown stains from water leakage as well as stains in your dishwasher and toilet.
Its not exactly rust. Rust is present where there is corrosion. In your case, the metals have simply separated from the water.
My hubby is a painter... the Kilz will work. Be sure to wait a day after you prime to be sure the stain hasn't bled through before you waste time and paint.
Good Luck
Love
- Anonymous5 years ago
If the spot is dry & the leak fixed, I know of a lot of people who swear by a product called Kilz. It is a paint that the seals the spot so the marks won't bleed back through. You can get it at your local Wal-mart or hardware store. If the spot isn't dry yet, get some fans blowing on it. It needs to be dry no matter what product you use to cover it up.
- 1 decade ago
My guess is the bacteria in the water. Drywall will absorb all that water. Enough heat in your house and the bacteria will grow.
- pinkgerberaLv 41 decade ago
No water is completely clean, it has impurities in it so they could cause the stain.
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- Anonymous1 decade ago
from dirt/dust that has collected on the roof...and has washed in with the water.
