⌂HouseSymptomsHOUSE INTELLIGENCE

12 complete symptom paths42 guides and 60 questions in each 1,460 Grade A articlesOne searchable, connected knowledge library 140 official sourcesEvidence context with explicit limits

Evidence before intervention

Self-help that knows where to stop.

Use safe, repeatable workflows to document what changed, compare triggers and prepare a useful professional handoff. No magic diagnosis, no destructive testing and no pressure to repair before the pathway is understood.

Browse all 141 guides →Read 1,460 field articles ↗

Start with what you noticed

Choose the evidence you already have.

SeeStains, cracks, movement and surface change →SmellMusty, sewage, burning and chemical odors →HearClicks, gurgles, drips and vibration →MeasureHumidity, temperature, moisture and change →

Popular first steps

Safe workflows for common house clues

Each guide protects the baseline, separates supporting from weakening evidence and defines a professional boundary.

Describe a clue instead →

◎Self-help library · 1 min

Self-help workflow: an interior leak during snowmelt near the eaves

A safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.

Open workflow →◎Self-help library · 1 min

Self-help workflow: water marks below a roof valley

A safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.

Open workflow →◎Self-help library · 1 min

Self-help workflow: a ceiling stain that appears after wind-driven rain

A safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.

Open workflow →◎Self-help library · 1 min

Self-help workflow: a skylight drip that begins during thaw

A safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.

Open workflow →◎Self-help library · 1 min

Self-help workflow: a stain near a chimney after rain

A safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.

Open workflow →◎Self-help library · 1 min

Self-help workflow: an exterior wall stain below a gutter

A safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.

Open workflow →✓Evidence workflow · 1 min

Documenting electrical warning signs without opening equipment

A safe, repeatable workflow for documenting electrical heat is a stop signal, not a diy clue hunt before opening or repairing the assembly.

Open workflow →◎Self-help library · 1 min

Self-help workflow: a warm outlet or burning-plastic odor

A safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.

Open workflow →◎Self-help library · 1 min

Self-help workflow: a ceiling stain that appears after shower use

A safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.

Open workflow →◎Self-help library · 1 min

Self-help workflow: fireplace odor when exhaust fans run

A safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.

Open workflow →◎Self-help library · 1 min

Self-help workflow: water appearing at the basement floor-wall joint

A safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.

Open workflow →✓Evidence workflow · 1 min

Building a rainfall, grading and discharge evidence map

A safe, repeatable workflow for documenting basement water starts outside the visible mark before opening or repairing the assembly.

Open workflow →

31 guides

Roof & attic

Rain entry, frost, condensation, drainage and safe attic evidence.

Self-help workflow: an interior leak during snowmelt near the eavesA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: water marks below a roof valleyA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a ceiling stain that appears after wind-driven rainA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a skylight drip that begins during thawA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a stain near a chimney after rainA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: an exterior wall stain below a gutterA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a roof leak that appears hours after rainA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: attic moisture where soffit ventilation may be blockedA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→

18 guides

Basement & crawlspace

Ground moisture, odors, condensation, drainage and seasonal patterns.

Self-help workflow: water appearing at the basement floor-wall jointA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Building a rainfall, grading and discharge evidence mapA safe, repeatable workflow for documenting basement water starts outside the visible mark before opening or repairing the assembly.→Self-help workflow: a crawlspace odor that is strongest upstairsA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a sump pump that cycles when it has not rainedA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: crawlspace condensation in warm weatherA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Checking indoor humidity patterns in the basementLog humidity and temperature through occupancy and weather changes. This guide adapts the method to below-grade walls, floor edges, drains and stored materials.→Comparing condensation with leakage in the basementUse temperature and trigger timing to separate two moisture mechanisms. This guide adapts the method to below-grade walls, floor edges, drains and stored materials.→Documenting a water stain in the basementCreate a useful record of location, edge, timing and triggers before repainting. This guide adapts the method to below-grade walls, floor edges, drains and stored materials.→

6 guides

Windows & walls

Leaks, condensation, drafts, cold surfaces and finish failures.

Self-help workflow: a draft felt around an exterior-wall outletA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: bubbling paint on an exterior wall indoorsA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: water at a window corner during wind-driven rainA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a cold stripe on an exterior wallA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: condensation on the room side of windowsA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: fogging between insulated glass panesA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→

9 guides

Plumbing & drains

Fixture-linked leaks, drainage pressure, odors, cycles and safe isolation.

Self-help workflow: a ceiling stain that appears after shower useA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a drain that gurgles when another fixture emptiesA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a suspected dishwasher leakA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a washing-machine drain that overflowsA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: an intermittent leak around or below a toiletA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: sewage odor from a rarely used drainA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: low water pressure at one fixtureA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: pipes that click as hot water starts or stopsA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→

6 guides

Ventilation & indoor air

Humidity, pressure, odor transport, airflow and measurement limits.

Self-help workflow: fireplace odor when exhaust fans runA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: condensation around an air-supply registerA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a bathroom that stays humid long after useA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: cooking odor that spreads through the houseA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: dark dust stripes on a ceiling or wallA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: high bedroom carbon-dioxide readings overnightA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→

8 guides

Structure & house systems

Cracks, movement, heating and safety-critical electrical boundaries.

Documenting electrical warning signs without opening equipmentA safe, repeatable workflow for documenting electrical heat is a stop signal, not a diy clue hunt before opening or repairing the assembly.→Self-help workflow: a warm outlet or burning-plastic odorA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a diagonal crack above a doorA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a stair-step crack in masonryA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Tracking crack endpoints, width and adjacent functionA safe, repeatable workflow for documenting crack geometry is a movement record, not a verdict before opening or repairing the assembly.→Self-help workflow: a crack along the ceiling-wall jointA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a floor squeak that changes with the seasonA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→Self-help workflow: a radiator that is cold at the topA safe, repeatable homeowner workflow for documenting the clue, comparing triggers and deciding when to stop and involve a professional.→

Safety boundary

Self-help means better evidence—not greater exposure.

Stop when the clue involves fire, electrical heat, smoke, gas or combustion products, rapid structural change, contaminated water, unsafe access, suspected hazardous materials or opening a concealed assembly without a controlled plan.

Review safety interlocks →