A stain may be some distance from its source
Service voids and floor penetrations can allow water to appear away from the point where it escaped. The first survey brief should identify affected levels, wet areas and any known shared pipe routes.
Supply pipework and drainage stacks need different investigations. Record whether the problem follows water use, rainfall or a change in the building’s services; those observations help narrow the questions.
Prepare the shared areas
- Arrange authorised access to risers and locked service cupboards.
- Provide available plans and records of previous work.
- Identify who can authorise an isolation and how residents would be notified.
- Tell the investigator about known access restrictions and relevant site safety information.
Keep the conclusion proportionate
A report should say what was inspected and what remained concealed. If the survey cannot distinguish between possible sources, the next investigation should be stated explicitly rather than presenting a suspicion as a confirmed cause.