Water stains on ceiling

Hi all, long time lurker here and a novice with property maintenance.

I've got an issue with a couple of water stains on the ground floor ceiling of a 2 storey townhouse about 1m in from the walls.
They appear to have grown but is dry to touch. I went out to have a look yesterday and think it could be a leak from a crack in the mortar on the corner closest to it or a gap on where the edge of the guttering joins to the wall (not sure what it's called). Guttering and tiling seems OK to me .

Pictures attached and the corner/guttering/tiling corresponds directly over the ceiling area.

Wondering if anyone has any other thoughts on what it could be or where it could be coming from, and then how do you get to fix it?
Also would building or contents insurance cover this?

Thanks in advance
Vinnie

 

Don't think the crack in the brick work is likely to be the source.

"gap on where the edge of the guttering joins to the wall (not sure what it's called). Guttering and tiling seems OK to me"

What looks likely is the lead flashing that doesn't cover out to the corner of the roof and as a result you have a point where water can enter and with gravity go out to a low point on the ceiling.

The wet patch on the ceiling is not necessarily the position of the actual leak as water will travel to it lowest point and pool and seep through there.

From the discoloration on the metal flashing where the lead touches there is water that flows in this area so it's not beyond the possibility that enough water will enter in the gap the lead flashing doesn't cover.

I would bend the lead flashing down so that it is lying on the metal flashing. I would first silicone the vertical gap that the vertical lead flashing has been inserted in. Continue the silicone right down and down to the bottom of the metal against the brick. Use masking tape to protect the brick and metal otherwise you may end up with an unholy mess. Use Sika silicone as it will last longer.

 

Thanks HandyAndy, forgive the ignorance, but do I need a tradie for this or just a handyman (I really have no idea on this stuff unfortunately), and how do I fix the bit of the roof that's been leaking?

Thanks
Vinnie

 

Leak detection company should be your first call. Some plumbers offer this and some are just stand alone leak detection specialists

 

Gutters can cause leaks if not kept clean. Also check that there’s not a shower above the ceiling. You could cut the plaster ceiling to have a look but they are a pain to patch and repaint

 

A handyman should be able to handle the job. A roof plumber should defiantly be able to handle the job but could be more expensive and possibly try and talk up the job.

 

Or even be qualified ?

I suspect under the lead flashing is a broken tile, leak etc. Inspection point tiles removed and inspected and isnt necessarily a major job just fiddly but important to diagnose. May need sealer under the lead or a tile may be cracked under it.

My insurer required a tradesman receipt as evidence a roof / flashing leak had been fixed before they would address resulting damage from a similar issue. Only would occur in VERY heavy rain.