A stain after rain? The 7 photos that help a damp inspection

The mark returns after heavy rain, then sometimes fades between showers. Before repainting, put together a small photographic record. It cannot replace a building inspection, but it helps explain where the problem happens and when it starts.

Take these seven views

1. The whole room, to show the location.
2. The stain straight on, with a size reference kept clear of damaged material.
3. The junction between the wall and the floor or ceiling.
4. The window and its edges, if nearby.
5. The corresponding outside wall, photographed from ground level.
6. Visible external details: downpipe, window sill or crack.
7. The same area after a dry spell, from a similar position.

Stay on the ground and in safely accessible areas. There is no need to climb onto a roof or take equipment apart for a photograph.

Add a short timeline

Record the date, time, room and delay between rainfall and the mark appearing. Mention recent building work or any observed leak. Keep older pictures: a comparison across several days is often more useful than one close-up.

Choose the treatment afterwards

A link with rain is a clue, rather than proof of the exact cause. Water ingress, plumbing leaks and rising damp need different responses. Arrange a check suited to the building before selecting repairs or equipment.

When asking for advice, seven labelled views and a few clear dates are easier to assess than a large collection of photographs without context.

Explore further

• Understand rising damp
• Ask for advice
• Compare ATE, ATG and ATE LC30 PULSE devices