What could be causing the tan/brown speckled area on my white ceiling near the bedroom window, and how can I fix it without it being a leak?
Asked by Jasmine Giraud 
3 months ago
Last Updated: June 17, 2024
Do you have any thoughts on what might be causing this, and any ideas on how to solve it? I really hope it’s not a leak.
The ceiling is painted white and there’s a tan/brown speckled area. Our bedroom is above it, with a window above but the spot is about a foot away from the exterior wall.
Seems like a messy paint job in my opinion.
The stain on the ceiling is brown and doesn’t match the wall color. It used to be white, but has turned brown in the past few months. The last time it was painted was over 4 years ago.
If it were up to me, I’d just paint the whole ceiling. You could also try using a stain-blocking primer on that spot to prevent it from bleeding through. If the spot isn’t getting bigger or changing color, it’s likely not a leak.
It seems like there might be a condensation issue. Do you have any vents or plumbing in the bulkhead above the window, or any type of vent on the exterior wall in that area?