Hidden Ceiling Leak Found with Thermal Imaging

Hidden Ceiling Leak Found with Thermal Imaging in Tarrytown, Austin

A recurring ceiling stain in a two-story home was traced with an infrared camera and moisture meters to a leaking shower valve two rooms away.

The Challenge

The homeowners had painted over the same ceiling stain twice. Earlier contractors suggested removing the entire ceiling to look for the source, which would have meant a large repair in a finished room with crown molding.

Our Solution

We scanned the ceiling and adjacent walls with a thermal camera, then verified each cool spot with pin and pinless meters. The moisture pattern ran along a joist bay toward the upstairs bathroom, where readings peaked below the shower valve. We opened a single small inspection hole to confirm, marked the location for the plumber and set up drying equipment for the affected joist bay.

• Infrared thermal scan of ceiling and walls
• Moisture readings to confirm each anomaly
• One small inspection opening instead of full demolition
• Leak location marked for the plumber
• Targeted drying of the affected joist bay

Project Photos

The Result

The plumber replaced the shower valve through one access panel, and the ceiling repair was limited to a patch and repaint — a fraction of the originally quoted demolition.

Related service: Leak Detection & Moisture Mapping in Austin.