Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Ashridge Chimney Survey
Chimney surveys in Ashridge from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
Chimney survey in Ashridge
A damp patch on a chimney breast does not always come from the same place. Water may be getting in at the top through cracked flaunching or an uncapped pot, through the brickwork, or at the flashings. Moisture trapped inside a stack with no ventilation can also cause damp. We look at each possibility and record what we find. That points the work in the right direction. We survey chimney breasts, brick chimney stacks and lead flashings, and the problems we are asked to look at most are worn or missing pointing and damp patches on chimney breasts.
In a small place like Ashridge, many roofs stand in the open, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A roof report shows what needs attention first. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are often where weather gets in first.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, along with how urgent it is.
- Where
- Ashridge (HP4)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Checking the roof from ground level
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Do not go up yourself.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Nearby places to Ashridge
More services for Ashridge
How the survey changes by roof type
Brick stacks
Older brick stacks frequently have soft lime mortar. Repairs should suit the original materials, which we mention where relevant.
Lead flashings
Mortar fillets are sometimes used where lead would usually be. They crack with age, and we check them too.
What affects the price in Ashridge
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- How big the roof is
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400. You’ll know the price for the job before booking.
Helping us price your survey
Getting the details right at the start saves time. It is useful to include:
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Anything about access we should know
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window. To send them or to book, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Chimney surveys around Ashridge
If your home is older, it is worth knowing whether it is listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Listed building consent covers changes to a listed building’s special interest, and an Article 4 direction can bring extra controls in a conservation area. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Whatever the covering, it’s often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first.
In and around Ashridge, as anywhere, a roof is easiest to deal with when its problems are found early. For landlords with property near Berkhamsted station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints.
Ashridge is about 3 miles north of Berkhamsted, in Hertfordshire. We survey roofs in Ashridge and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Ashridge is one of the towns and villages in Hertfordshire where we work for chimney surveys. For surveys nearby, see our Milton Keynes page.
Here we cover the HP4 postcode area for chimney surveys. We also cover the places around Ashridge: Nettleden (2 miles south-east), Norcott Hill (2 miles south-west), Frithsden (2 miles south-east), Great Gaddesden (2 miles east) and Northchurch (2 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Watford (12 miles south-east), Hemel Hempstead (5 miles south-east), St Albans (10 miles east), Harpenden (9 miles east), Hatfield (14 miles east) and Berkhamsted (3 miles south).
Around Ashridge
The nearest railway station is Berkhamsted station, about 2.5 miles south. Other landmarks nearby include Hawridge Court (4.8 miles south-west) and Hemel Hempstead Hospital (5.1 miles south-east). Not far away are Sallowsprings and Ivinghoe Beacon.
What we cannot see
To be straight with you, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Checks on boilers, fires or their flues
- Areas we can’t view from safe positions
- Whether the flue is safe to use
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll tell you. What a survey covers and does not.
Roof types and parts we check
- Brick chimney stacks
- Chimney breasts
- Flaunching
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Lead flashings
For landlords and managing agents
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed in advance. Surveys run on any day of the week, which can make access easier.
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the addresses.
Common questions in Ashridge
Will you come out to Ashridge?
Yes, Ashridge is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Berkhamsted station?
Yes, letting agents and landlords book with us as well as owners. You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and a few details.
How do I arrange a chimney survey in Ashridge?
Just ring 07833 053749 or email us. We will ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date, weekday or weekend.
Is a leaning chimney dangerous?
A leaning stack should be looked at. Our survey notes how it looks and the condition of the bricks and joints, and recommend a structural engineer where it may be a structural concern.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We can flag materials that might contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drones can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. If the conditions aren’t right, we will talk to you about another date.
How it works
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you’d like to know. After that, we look at everything we can see safely. The survey typically takes about 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, or half a day or so for a commercial building. Rural addresses near Ashridge can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- We go through the chimneys, any damp and any work done on them.
- Each stack is inspected from safe positions outside.
- We photograph and record the pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
- We look for damp on chimney breasts and in the roof space.
- The report, with photographs and recommendations, is emailed to you.
Getting ready for the survey
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Find any records of previous roof work
Book a survey
You can call us seven days a week. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or email us.