Ask for a history as well as a photograph
Request views of the whole room and the affected corner. Ask whether the mark changes after rain, bathroom use or a long period with the flat closed. Check behind movable furniture where access is safe and permitted; the listing photographs may not show those surfaces.
Top-floor ceilings, window junctions and poorly ventilated spaces deserve attention when signs are present. Their location is a clue, not a diagnosis. Ask your local representative to record dates rather than guessing whether a stain is “just condensation” or definitely a roof leak.
Separate a residual stain from active moisture
A mark can remain after a past incident, while another surface may still be getting wet. A photograph or single meter reading cannot establish the whole cause or confirm readiness for painting. Record what has actually been investigated and by whom.
EPA guidance puts moisture control at the centre of mould management and advises against painting mouldy surfaces. A decorative coating cannot substitute for addressing the moisture source.
Reference: EPA: moisture and mould
If an agent sends you a photograph of a stain in Athens, Greece, do not approve “paint over it” as the whole solution.
Put a hold point into the scope
Ask for a written list of affected surfaces and the work that will wait for further assessment. Identify who deals with the cause and who confirms when the substrate is suitable for the proposed finish. This is especially useful when your agent and painter are arranging visits while you are abroad.
Clarify vague terms such as “sealer” or “insulation”. They might mean stain treatment, a surface coating or a separate waterproofing job. Ask for the actual purpose and method. Keep any revised preparation and schedule with the original quote so a delay is understood rather than hidden.
Treat roof work and internal decoration separately
A ceiling beneath a terrace may prompt a waterproofing or junction inspection, but its position does not prove where water enters. The external repair and the internal ceiling finish are separate scopes, potentially with different dates and acceptance conditions.
Before approving decoration, record exclusions and the conditions for restarting. Your handover file should distinguish “the stain has been covered” from “the source has been investigated and addressed”. That distinction matters when you cannot inspect the apartment yourself.
Three questions before you start
Will anti-mould paint fix the cause?
It does not replace assessment and control of moisture. Product selection follows assessment of the surface and underlying problem.
Is one moisture-meter reading enough?
No. Readings need interpretation in the context of the material, conditions and problem history.
Can I request a quote before a leak is repaired?
Yes, as an initial enquiry. The final preparation and painting schedule depend on the repair and the condition of the substrate.
FROM THE GUIDE TO YOUR PROPERTY
Start with your neighbourhood, the work and a few photographs. We communicate in English. An enquiry is not a booking.
Tell us about the affected room