water marks post-leak on ceiling - how to cover?

[KingsleyShacklebolt]

We had a leak in a bathroom - now fixed - which caused quite a lot of damage to the ceiling in the room below. The ceiling has now dried out, but we are left with quite heavy brown circular marks on the plasterboard.

It's just a utility room so not urgent to sort, but will need to be fixed at some point. Replace whole ceiling (not a massive space) or is there some product to stop the marks coming through the paint?

You need a stain blocker before you repaint.

Do they work better than the paints which say they include a stain blocker? Will take a look at the B&Q website!

PVA glue mixed in a base layer works

Stain blocker paint to cover and then paint the required colour.

Zinsser Stain Block.

tried stain blocker...useless....and was a good one...try oil based white eggshell....two coats...lightly sand and then usual paint over that...always works....neighbour gave me the dulux stainblock but didnt work...applied 5 coats and was poor.

Yep, just need any white oilbased paint, the more matt the better.

Zinsser BIN is great for this, but I wouldn't use the spray, as it doesn't go very far.

We used Zinsser B-I-N, which is a shellac-based sealer, exactly for that a few years back, with good results.

Thanks all, the torrential rain in Glasgow yesterday has caused yet another leak in the roof (aaarrggghhh) so will be buying a big tin.

another one recommending zinsser bin...ive just used it for blocking up some stains - not water ones tho ...easy to work with

Get roof fixed first and allow to dry out.

Use Zinsser BIN as PP suggest.

Paint with emulsion of your choice .

Have you got house insurance ? We had exactly the same thing. Claimed on it and had the ceiling replastered. Also the room redecorated as the leak had stained the wallpaper. The plaster was weakened because of the leak damage so that's what was suggested by the guy from the insurance company.

Zinsser 5-in1 ceiling paint is also fantastic - it's essentially the stain blocker and a paint all in one, so just use it like paint and you're good to go. Sorted out some dire ceilings of ours in one coat. Expensive, but worth it.