1. Stop at the safety boundary
Do not work from a ladder during rain or clear a high gutter without suitable access equipment.
2. Capture the baseline
Take one context photo, one close view and a short note describing location, date, weather, recent water use, equipment state and occupancy.
3. Track the trigger
Heavy rain or prolonged leaf and debris loading.
4. Compare, do not assume
Supports this pathway
- The stain begins below a gutter joint or outlet
- Overflow is visible during rain
- The mark grows after intense storms
Weakens this pathway
- The gutter remains dry while the wall wets
- The stain follows indoor plumbing use
- The pattern begins far below without an exterior track
5. Repeat only safe checks
- Watch drainage safely from ground level
- Check downspout discharge and splash patterns
- Photograph the wall before and after one storm
6. Decide the next step
If the pattern is active, expanding, safety-related or requires opening inaccessible construction, stop self-help testing and prepare an evidence-based handoff. Use a gutter or roofing professional when safe access is unavailable or hidden wall wetting is suspected.
7. Verify the outcome
After any action, repeat the same observation under a comparable trigger. A dry surface immediately after work is not sufficient proof when the original symptom was intermittent.
Observe→Compare triggers→Repair source→Verify outcome
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