01
Record the event, not just the stain
Write down when the drip starts, when it stops, and whether the weather involves steady rain, gusts, or melting snow. Photograph the same interior location each time with a wider picture showing its position in the room. Note nearby windows, chimneys, and plumbing. A stain may remain after a leak stops, so separate old discoloration from fresh moisture.
02
Turn observations into a visit plan
Send the record before the inspection so the roofer can compare interior evidence with the roof geometry. Ask which possibilities remain unconfirmed and whether access to the attic is useful. Do not climb onto wet slate to trace the leak yourself. After repairs, continue the diary through comparable weather; one dry day does not demonstrate that an intermittent leak is resolved.