Repairs & Leaks
Ceiling and drywall repair after a roof leak in Memphis
A roof leak rarely stops at the roof. By the time a stain shows on the ceiling, water has usually soaked the insulation and drywall, and the repair inside matters as much as the one outside.
We answer 24/7 across Memphis and Shelby County
The job
Why ceiling damage needs more than paint
Quick answer
Ceiling and drywall leak damage repair in Memphis means stopping the roof leak first, then drying the area, cutting out wet or sagging drywall, replacing wet insulation, and patching, texturing and painting so the ceiling matches. We photograph each stage, which also helps when the damage is part of an insurance claim.
Painting over a water stain hides it for a while, but it does not dry the drywall, the insulation above it or the framing. Wet drywall loses strength and can sag or fall, wet insulation stops working, and damp cavities above a ceiling are where mold gets started. The fix has to begin at the roof and work down.
We trace the leak to its source and repair the roof first, so the new ceiling is not ruined by the next storm. Then we check the attic, measure the moisture in the ceiling, and decide what has to come out and what can dry in place.
Inside work is kept tidy: drop cloths, dust barriers where they are needed, and debris carried out the same day. The goal is a ceiling nobody can tell was ever damaged.
Cost
What affects the cost of ceiling leak repair
Ceiling repair is priced by the area of damage, what has to be replaced and how the finish has to match.
- Roof repair
The leak source is fixed first and priced separately.
- Damaged area
Measured in square feet of drywall replaced.
- Insulation
Wet insulation above is removed and replaced.
- Drying
Wet framing needs time and sometimes fans.
- Texture
Knockdown or popcorn-style takes more work to match.
- Paint
Whole ceiling planes are painted for an even match.
- Testing
Older textures may need testing before removal.
Your options
Patch, section replacement or a full ceiling?
| Patch | Section replacement | Full ceiling | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | Small stain, sound drywall | Soft or sagging area | Widespread water damage |
| Work | Seal, skim and paint | Cut out, rehang, finish | Remove and rehang the room |
| Time | About a day | A few days with drying | Several days |
Ceiling stain and leak tracing
A stain on the ceiling shows where water ended up, not always where it got in. Water runs along rafters, across the top of the drywall and down wiring before it shows, so we start in the attic and follow the path back to the roof: a cracked pipe boot, a failed flashing, a popped nail or a gap at a valley. We fix that source, photograph it, and check the moisture in the ceiling around the stain with a meter, so you know how far the water spread before any drywall is cut.
Drywall removal and replacement
Drywall that is soft, sagging or stained through has to be replaced, not painted. We protect the room, cut out the damaged section back to sound material at the framing, remove wet insulation from above, and let the framing dry before closing it up. New drywall is screwed to the joists, taped and finished in several coats, then textured to match the rest of the ceiling. Drying between coats spreads the work over a few days, and we schedule each visit so the ceiling is not left open any longer than it has to be.
Insulation, texture and paint matching
The last steps decide whether the repair shows. We replace wet insulation in the attic above the repair to the same depth as the rest, match the ceiling texture, whether smooth, knockdown or popcorn-style, and paint the whole ceiling plane rather than a single patch, so the color holds up under any light. In older homes we have popcorn texture tested before it is cut. If the leak also stained walls or trim, those are repaired the same way, and you get before and after photos of every area for your records.
Local conditions
Storm leaks, renters and landlords
During the August 2026 storms, the National Weather Service warned that gusts near 70 mph could cause considerable tree damage and harm to roofs, mobile homes and outbuildings. Storms like that are when most ceiling damage starts, often from a lifted shingle or a limb strike that leaks for hours before anyone notices. About 42 percent of the people living in Shelby County rent their homes, so many ceiling stains are first seen by tenants. If you rent, tell your landlord right away; we can work with the owner to fix the roof and the ceiling together.
How it runs
How a ceiling leak repair runs
- 01
Stop the leak
Roof source found, fixed and photographed.
- 02
Moisture check
Ceiling and framing measured with a meter.
- 03
Open and dry
Wet drywall and insulation removed, framing dried.
- 04
Rebuild
New drywall hung, taped and finished.
- 05
Match
Texture matched and the ceiling painted.
- 06
Walkthrough
A final look together, photos sent to you.
Brown stain spreading across the ceiling?
Call any hour. We stop the roof leak first, then fix the ceiling so the stain does not come back.
Call (901) 459-6395FAQ
Ceiling leak damage questions
Only after the leak is fixed and the drywall has dried and tested sound. Paint over wet drywall fails and hides ongoing damage.
Soft, sagging or crumbling drywall has to go. We check with a moisture meter and by touch before deciding.
Yes. Move furniture, put a bucket under it, keep people out of the room and call. We answer 24/7.
Both. The roof leak is fixed first so the new ceiling stays dry, then we repair the inside.
It depends on your policy and the cause. We document the damage with photos for your claim; the decision is your insurer's.