Follow water through the whole visible path
A drainage observation can begin at the roof planes and valleys that collect water, continue through the eave and gutter, and end at the outlet and ground discharge. Overflow at one point may relate to debris, slope, attachment, capacity, outlet restriction, roof geometry, concentrated valley flow, or conditions farther downstream.
Photographs are more useful when they show both the symptom and its location. Label the roof face, edge, gutter section, outlet, and nearby wall or foundation area. A close image of standing water without that context may not reveal where the water came from or where it was intended to go.
Roof-edge coordination belongs in the scope
Work near an eave can involve roof covering, underlayment, starter, edge metal, fascia, soffit, gutter attachment, and discharge. A written scope should identify which components are included, how existing materials will be protected or replaced, and which conditions belong to another trade or a separate site-drainage plan.
Storm marks, granules, or dents in a gutter do not by themselves establish the condition or cause of damage on the roof covering. Each material should be observed and described separately before a repair or replacement conclusion is assigned.
Build a drainage map before selecting work
Sketch each roof plane, valley, eave run, outlet, downspout, lower roof, wall transition, and discharge point. Add arrows for the intended water path and mark where overflow, staining, erosion, ice, debris, separation, or standing water was observed. Date photographs and tie them to labels on the sketch.
A scope-comparison table can list linear footage, profile, material, finish, outlet size and count, downspout route, attachment substrate, edge-metal coordination, demolition, disposal, protection, and excluded site work. Keep roof drainage and ground drainage as separate rows even when they meet at one discharge point.
Repeat the map during ordinary rainfall when conditions are safe. Record which outlets flow, where water exits, and which observations remain unconfirmed so one photograph is not treated as the diagnosis.