Ceiling leak and water cleanup in Lauderhill, 33319
In Lauderhill, water often arrives from above: a roof drain that comes loose, a leak in the condo upstairs, or rain heavy enough to work through a worn roof and into the ceiling.
In July 2017 a townhome in the Wimbledon community lost its ceilings after a drain pipe under the roof disconnected during a downpour, and the family had to move out. Most cases start smaller, as a stain or a soft spot in the drywall. We open the ceiling safely, dry the cavity above and clear out mold before it spreads.
At a glance
- Area
- Lauderhill
- From our office
- 1428 Brickell Ave, Floor 3
- Phones
- Answered 24/7
- Most calls
- Ceiling Water Damage
Kelda Restoration works across Lauderhill, including the Inverrary condos north of Oakland Park Boulevard, the townhome communities and single-family streets throughout the city. Most calls here are ceiling and roof leaks, water from units above, AC drain overflows and street flooding that reaches garages. Dial (786) 947-0034 whenever the drip starts, and we dispatch our own people.
Geller houses, Inverrary condos and townhome rows
Developer Herbert Sadkin incorporated Lauderhill in 1959, and many of his first houses came from architect Andrew Geller's designs sold through Macy's. Inverrary Country Club opened in 1970, and condo buildings followed around it, such as Inverrary Gardens Condo I, built in 1976.
Until the late 1980s the city was mostly a retirement and second-home community. Today it has about 30,000 housing units, and roughly 55.8 percent are owner-occupied, so one leak can involve an owner, a renter and a condo or townhome association at once.
Why so many calls here start at the ceiling
Ceiling leaks have more than one cause. A roof drain or vent pipe can separate, a unit above can overflow, or an AC air handler in the attic can back up its drain pan. Water spreads across the top of the drywall and shows up far from where it started.
The ground is no help either. Lauderhill's elevation is listed at 7 feet, and in late August 2012 roughly 13 inches fell, flooding one neighborhood within three hours. Canals overflowed, and the city handed out sandbags to keep water out of homes.
Opening a wet ceiling without making it worse
A sagging ceiling can hold many gallons. We clear the room, cut power to the fixtures in that ceiling, then make a controlled opening to drain it into containers. Wet drywall is cut back to dry material, and the joists or trusses above are dried with air movers and dehumidifiers.
Insulation that stays wet past 48 hours is removed, as the EPA advises. If mold has formed on the back of the drywall, we contain the area and take it out. For condos and townhomes, we share our photos and moisture readings with the association.
Lauderhill's neighbors on the same trip
Plantation, Sunrise, Lauderdale Lakes and Fort Lauderdale all sit within a short drive of Lauderhill, and our crews handle leak calls in each of them. University Drive and Oakland Park Boulevard put most of these addresses within easy reach.
Where water and mold start in Lauderhill
Loose roof drain pipes
A drain pipe that disconnected under a Wimbledon townhome roof in July 2017 sent rain straight into the ceilings, and neighbors said leaks there kept coming back.
Canals over the banks
After about 13 inches of rain in August 2012, residents said the canals were overflowing and water crept toward their garages.
Seven feet of elevation
With an elevation of roughly 7 feet, the city gives heavy rain little room to drain away from slab-on-grade homes.
Streets that flood again
In October 2020 residents called the deep street water after heavy rain a chronic problem in parts of Lauderhill.
Services we run most in Lauderhill
Ceiling Water Damage
Stains, sagging drywall and leaks from the unit or attic above.
See the serviceRoof Leak Water Damage
Wet ceilings, insulation and walls under a leaking roof dried and repaired.
See the serviceCondo Water Damage
Unit-to-unit leaks in high-rises, worked alongside building management.
See the serviceWall & Drywall Mold Removal
Mold inside wall cavities and on drywall faces cut out and cleaned.
See the serviceAttic Mold Removal
Mold on roof decking and rafters from leaks or poor attic ventilation.
See the serviceFlood Damage Cleanup
Rising water and street flooding cleaned out, with flood cuts where needed.
See the serviceLauderhill: questions we hear
My Lauderhill ceiling is sagging with water. What should I do before you arrive?
Keep everyone out of the room and do not press on the bulge. Turn off the breaker for lights or fans in that ceiling, set a bucket underneath, and move furniture away. Then call (786) 947-0034 so we can drain and open it safely.
Our Lauderhill townhome association handles the roof. Can you still dry the inside?
Yes. We dry and repair the interior while the association arranges the roof repair. Our written scope and photos show where the water entered, which helps both sides when they settle who pays.
When does street flooding at my Lauderhill house become a cleanup job?
Once water reaches the garage floor, the drywall or the living space, it needs attention. Flood water counts as contaminated. Soaked drywall and carpet are usually removed, and the slab is cleaned before the drying starts.
Is wet insulation above my Lauderhill ceiling safe to leave in place?
Usually not. The EPA advises removing wet insulation that cannot be dried within 48 hours, since it holds moisture against the drywall and framing. We check it with a meter and remove only what is still wet.
Other places our crews cover
Water damage in Lauderhill? Call our crew lead.
A person answers every call, day or night. Tell us what got wet and when it started, and we will tell you what happens next.