Symptom field notes
Water or staining around the fireplace
A useful leak investigation starts with the timing and location of moisture. Visible staining does not identify the entry point on its own.
Do not climb onto the roof to trace a leak or apply a product before the cause is assessed.
What to document
- Where does water first become visible?
- Does it follow wind-driven rain, prolonged rain or appliance use?
- Which prior repairs are documented?
Keep dates and observations separate from guesses about the cause. Photographs from a safe location and earlier service records are useful starting material.
What to ask the contractor
- Which chimney and roof components are within your inspection scope?
- What evidence connects the proposed repair to the source?
- How will you document completion and follow-up?
Ask for findings, access limitations and recommended next steps in writing. A proposed product or repair method should follow an explanation of the observed condition.
Turn the observation into a comparable scope
Send the same brief to each company. Ask whether the appointment is an inspection, a diagnostic visit or a repair, and how additional work is approved. If proposals disagree, compare the evidence each contractor cites before comparing totals.