Leaks don’t always start as dramatic drips into a bucket. Often, the first signs are much subtler – a faint stain, a slight change in paint texture, a hairline crack with discolouration around it. These hints can show up on ceilings or high walls after heavy rain.

If you make it a habit to quickly scan ceilings and upper corners after a big downpour, you can spot these early warnings. That gives you time to investigate and repair before water gets a chance to damage plaster, electrical fittings or furniture.

Ignoring small changes is tempting – “it’s nothing, just a mark” – but water almost never improves on its own. Catching it early often means a localised fix rather than major ceiling work later.

A two-minute look upwards after rain is a cheap insurance policy for the rest of your home.