Ceiling damage is normally the result of roof leaks, or in a multilevel building, the result of burst plumbing or drains in the upper floors. Multilevel buildings are susceptible to greater damage because water will try to find a way to reach the bottom levels damaging walls and floors as well as ceilings.
It is vitally important to deal with any type of damage from water immediately as mold can propagate in as soon as a few days causing greater repairs and potential health risks. Signs of a damaged ceiling include discoloration, bulging, soft and cold to the touch. At the worst levels, the ceiling material can crumble and fall risking great harm to anyone unlucky enough to be underneath it at the time.