What does a ceiling stain or water stain mean?

A stain on a ceiling or wall is a visible clue of past or present water intrusion, such as a roof, plumbing or HVAC condensate leak. We use a thermal camera and a moisture meter to help tell an old ceiling stain from an active leak, and we report what we observe so the right professional can find the source and make repairs. We don’t perform mold testing; when we see conditions that suggest it, such as active leaks, staining or moisture, we report them and refer you to a specialist.