Preserve the evidence and resolve the decision before disturbance.
REPAIR KNOWLEDGEDo not repair the symptom.
Do not repair the symptom.
Understand the whole scope.
Use 108 information-first guides to decide whether work is ready, what a complete scope must include, how to read an offer and how to verify that the original symptom stayed resolved.
Four rules prevent shallow repair planning.
Correct the mechanism before restoring the visible finish.
Compare completeness, assumptions and verification—not price alone.
Challenge the result through the original trigger and lag window.
Choose the information layer you need.
No community feed and no contractor matching. Every route is a deep guide connected to the existing evidence graph.
01 · READINESSIs the evidence ready?Boundaries, missing proof and repair hold points.30 guides →02 · SCOPEWhat must the work include?Source, access, drying, repair and reinstatement.36 guides →03 · READWhat does the offer really say?Inclusions, assumptions, changes and documents.18 guides →04 · VERIFYDid the original problem stay solved?Trigger windows, fixed points and recurrence.24 guides →
Know when not to close the wall.
Readiness is evidence, responsibility and a verification plan—not confidence alone.
All 30 readiness guides →READY01
Is the evidence complete enough to plan work?
Check whether location, trigger, timeline, controls, photographs, readings and unresolved alternatives are sufficient for a repair discussion.
Open guide →?02The source is still uncertain
Recognize when visible damage is documented but the entry route or mechanism remains unresolved.
Open guide →WATER03Active water is still entering
Prioritize safe mitigation, scene preservation and source control before finish repair or cosmetic restoration.
Open guide →STOP04Electrical or combustion boundary
Stop ordinary investigation where water, heat, fuel, wiring, appliances or combustion safety overlap.
Open guide →MASK05Contamination may change the plan
Understand when sewage, hazardous dust, suspect materials or broad microbial impact require qualified controls.
Open guide →LOAD06Movement or instability changes readiness
Separate cosmetic cracking from signs that require structural review before opening or repairing finishes.
Open guide →FILE07Contact insurance before disturbing evidence
Know when photographs, emergency mitigation records and insurer instructions should precede destructive work.
Open guide →AUTH08Regulated work boundary
Identify electrical, gas, combustion, structural, plumbing, asbestos and other work that may require qualified or authorised professionals.
Open guide →OPEN09Is destructive opening justified?
Define the question, access plan, stop condition and restoration responsibility before opening a concealed assembly.
Open guide →DRY10Drying is not yet complete
Avoid rebuilding over materials whose drying trend, contamination status or acceptable endpoint remains unresolved.
Open guide →LOOP11The symptom has not been challenged again
Wait through the original trigger or lag window before declaring a weather- or use-dependent problem resolved.
Open guide →ACCESS12The inspection area is unsafe
Recognize confined, elevated, unsupported, contaminated or energized locations that ordinary self-help should not enter.
Open guide →Source to verification. No missing middle.
Each scope guide separates investigation, access, mitigation, drying, repair, reinstatement and proof of outcome.
All 36 scope guides →ROOF
Roof leak scope guide2 connected questions
↗FLASHFlashing and penetration scope2 connected questions
↗GUTTERGutter and downspout correction scope2 connected questions
↗FROSTAttic condensation scope2 connected questions
↗AIRAttic air-leakage scope2 connected questions
↗GROUNDCrawlspace moisture scope2 connected questions
↗ODORCrawlspace odor scope2 connected questions
↗BASEBasement seepage scope2 connected questions
↗DRAINFoundation drainage scope2 connected questions
↗GRADEGrading and runoff scope2 connected questions
↗PIPEPlumbing supply leak scope2 connected questions
↗WASTEDrain and waste leak scope2 connected questions
↗BATHBathroom waterproofing scope2 connected questions
↗STEAMShower condensation scope2 connected questions
↗KITCHENKitchen leak scope2 connected questions
↗CYCLEAppliance-linked leak scope2 connected questions
↗WINDOWWindow water-entry scope2 connected questions
↗DEWWindow condensation scope2 connected questions
↗Read responsibility, not just price.
All 18 guides →Improvement is not always resolution.
All 24 guides →INFORMATION-FIRST BOUNDARY
Build better evidence first →A vast guide library, not a social or commercial platform.
HouseSymptoms does not rank contractors, host public reviews, broker quotes, provide price databases or certify repair work. It explains evidence, scope, questions and verification so the reader can make a better handoff.
