The first proper summer storm rolls through, and the next morning there’s a brown mark near the cornice that definitely wasn’t there before.

The timing matters.

If a ceiling stain appears after rain and stays dry through several rain-free days, that points you towards water getting in from outside rather than immediately blaming a plumbing pipe. It still doesn’t tell you exactly where the leak is. Water can travel along roof sheets, tiles, timber and ceiling boards before it finally becomes visible inside the room.

That means the wet patch is evidence, not necessarily the entry point.

Start with what happened, not just where the stain is

Take a photo as soon as you notice it. Get one close-up and another from further back so the position in the room is clear.

Then think about the rain itself. Did the mark appear during a short, heavy downpour? Was there strong wind? Has it happened after more than one storm, or is this the first time?

Those details can help a roofer or waterproofing contractor narrow the search.

A leak near an outside wall could be coming from damaged flashing, waterproofing, a roof joint or water backing up around a gutter. A stain in the middle of a room could still have started several metres away.

Water follows whatever path it can find.

If you can safely see the roofline from the ground, look for anything obvious such as a displaced tile, damaged roof sheet, overflowing gutter or a downpipe that isn’t coping. Don’t climb onto a wet roof to investigate. A repair that could have waited until the roof dried can become a much bigger problem after a fall.

Don’t wait for the ceiling to get worse

A faint stain is one thing. A ceiling that is sagging, bulging or actively holding water needs more caution.

Keep people away from the area. If water is near a light fitting, ceiling fan or other electrical equipment, don’t touch the fitting or the wet ceiling around it. Get the electrical side made safe by someone qualified to do so.

The same applies if water is running down a wall towards a plug point or electrical equipment.

There’s also no benefit in painting over the mark before the cause is fixed. You might hide it for a while, but the next storm will usually tell you whether the actual problem was solved.

Give the contractor something useful to work with

By the time somebody arrives, the roof may be dry and the stain may already look lighter.

That’s why the photos matter.

If the leak happens again, a short video showing where the water first appears can be even more useful. Tell the contractor whether it only happens during rain, how long the rain had been falling before you noticed it, and whether the stain is getting bigger.

You don’t need to diagnose the roof yourself. You just want to preserve the clues.

If you’re not sure whether the problem belongs with a roofer, waterproofing contractor, plumber or electrician, send the photos and a description on WhatsApp. DadBod can help you work out the sensible next step before you start calling the wrong trade.

Once the roof dries, the trail can be much harder to trace. Take the photos while the evidence is still there.

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