Compare the change, not just the colour
An old brown ceiling mark and newly visible water may appear in the same photograph. Describe them separately. The age of a stain does not tell you when fresh wetting started, and a discoloured surface alone does not establish that water is currently escaping.
| Ordinary observation | Useful question | What it does not settle |
|---|---|---|
| A mark looks unchanged | Has any new wetting been observed since the earlier incident? | Whether concealed materials are dry |
| Fresh droplets are visible | Where and when were they first noticed? | Which service or building defect caused them |
| Moisture returns after a dry interval | What changed between the two observations? | Whether the same source caused every episode |
Worked comparison: the same ceiling, different brief
In the first teaching scenario, a resident can only identify an old stain and does not know whether it has changed. The brief should retain that uncertainty and ask what assessment is appropriate. In the second, the resident notices new droplets at the stain's edge during ordinary use of the home. That new observation belongs at the front of the report.
The second account contains evidence of recent wetting, but neither account proves the route from the source. Do not label the upstairs bathroom responsible solely because it is nearby. A professional may need information from adjoining rooms, service records or other building assessments.
Use timing without manufacturing a pattern
Record known rainfall, cleaning, fixture use or recent work if relevant. Distinguish 'noticed afterwards' from 'happened every time'. Leave unknown timings blank rather than filling them with a likely sequence. Do not repeat an activity that appears to cause damage to strengthen the pattern.
GOV.UK's damp guidance recognises the need to address causes of moisture. FLIR also explains that moisture can arise from several sources and that temperature patterns need checking. These principles support a focused enquiry rather than choosing a diagnosis from appearance. Link your observations to the relevant existing service information, then explain the uncertainty when asking for advice.
Your working record
Compare two observations
Use one consistent room reference. This record organises evidence; it does not identify a defect.
Your entries stay in this page until you choose to copy, download or print them. They are not sent to us or saved after you leave. Avoid recording other people’s private details.