Build the condition record
Build the condition record
- Photograph the edge and center of the affected area with a time reference.
- Record rain, fixture use, appliance cycles, heating operation, and upstairs activity without accusing a cause.
- Mark whether water is clear, discolored, odorous, warm, cold, intermittent, or increasing.
- Document who received notice and when access to the room or unit above became possible.
Why the pattern matters
Why the pattern matters
Water can travel along framing, pipe, wire, or finish before it becomes visible. A spot directly below a bathroom is useful context, not proof of a fixture failure. Keep people away from bulging material, dripping light fixtures, and saturated surfaces, then contact the owner or manager for the adjoining space.
Questions the record should answer
Questions the record should answer
- Does the next step require a plumber, roofer, HVAC specialist, electrician, restoration firm, or more than one trade?
- Can an inspection start at an existing access point before a finished surface is opened?
- Who authorizes an opening and who restores the finish?
- What dry-state measurement or observation closes the moisture part of the incident?
Next notices
Continue with the related decision
Independent connection
Call for plumbing help
Describe the observable condition first. Confirm who answered, Boston 02108 coverage, the responsible licensee, availability, price, permit duty, and terms before authorizing work.