Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Aston, Hertfordshire
Not sure what state the chimney stack is in? We carry out chimney surveys in Aston and across Hertfordshire.
- Signs that a stack is leaning
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
- Mortar washing out of the joints
Can I check my roof myself?
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.
It’s useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry.
Chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Aston
Chimney stacks take more weather than almost any other part of a house. Over the years, the flaunching cracks, the pointing wears and flashings lift. That lets water into the brickwork, which can show up as damp on a chimney breast or in the loft space. A survey finds these problems and records them with photographs. If you’re worried about a stack that appears to lean and damp patches on chimney breasts, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Village roofs frequently face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, 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.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Aston (SG2)
- Wider area
- Hertfordshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. The visit typically takes about one to two hours at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a small place like Aston, access is usually the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- First you let us know about the chimneys, any damp on the chimney breasts and any worries.
- Each chimney is viewed from wherever it can safely be seen.
- Every part we can see is checked: pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing, bricks and flashings.
- We check the chimney breasts and the stack in the loft space where we can reach them.
- You get a photo-illustrated written report and our recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Find any records of previous roof work
How to book
We survey roofs seven days a week. To arrange a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
What affects the cost of chimney surveys
We confirm the price for the job before you book. These are the things that affect it:
- House, block, shop or office
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
For a price for your roof in Aston, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and a few details. We will confirm the figure before booking.
Booking your survey
There’s no need for technical words. Just let us know:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Anything about access we should know
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
We confirm the price for your survey before booking, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Signs you need a chimney survey in Aston
Chimney stacks stand above the roof, exposed to wind, rain and frost on every side. Frost works into cracks in the flaunching and pointing, and rain soaks into worn brickwork. People usually call us when they notice damp or a problem with the stack, or before a purchase.
We are frequently asked to look at:
- Frost-damaged brickwork on the stack
- Flashings pulling away from the stack
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- A stack that appears to lean
If you look after a building such as Aston St Mary's Church of England Aided Primary School, long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Their report turnaround times
What we look for on each type of roof
Chimney pots and cowls
For unused flues, we check whether caps or cowls allow ventilation. Capping without ventilation can trap moisture.
Lead flashings
Over time, lead can lift or come away from the brickwork. Any loose or split flashings are recorded.
Common questions in Aston
Can a landlord with a rental near Knebworth station book a roof survey?
Yes, landlords and letting agents book with us as well as owners. Just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us about the building, including who will give access on the day.
Is Aston within the area you cover?
Yes, Aston is covered. We work right across London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
Can you survey in bad weather?
A survey can normally go ahead in light rain. High wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we’ll agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but we do not provide calculations or an engineer’s opinion. The report will say if you need an engineer.
Should a redundant chimney be removed?
It depends on its condition and your plans. We record how the stack is doing and whether it is capped with ventilation. In a conservation area or on a listed building, changes may need consent.
What causes damp on a chimney breast?
Damp on a chimney breast normally means water is getting into the stack, or moisture is trapped inside it. We check the stack, the flashings and how unused flues are capped, and record what we find.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes. Photographs are part of every report.
Chimney surveys around Aston
Stevenage, which Aston is part of, is one of England’s post-war new towns. Homes from the post-war decades are common in the new towns, many with low-pitched roofs in concrete tiles and flat-roofed garages or porches. Low-pitched roofs shed water more slowly, and older concrete tiles, felt and gutters on these homes may be nearing the end of their life. About 0.7 miles south lies Aston Bury, a reminder of how long the area around Aston has been built on. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
The streets around a church such as Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine. Landlords with a home close to Knebworth station may find that a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant.
Aston is about 2 miles south-east of Stevenage, in Hertfordshire. Aston is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Aston is one of the places in Hertfordshire where we work for chimney surveys. For surveys nearby, see our London page.
Every address in SG2 is covered for chimney surveys. That includes homes and businesses on Penn Close, Benington Road and Brook Field. Close by, we survey roofs in Bragbury End (1 mile south), Shephall (1 mile west), Hook's Cross (1 mile south), Benington (2 miles east) and Knebworth (2 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include St Albans (12 miles south-west), Bishop's Stortford (13 miles east), Welwyn Garden City (7 miles south), Harpenden (10 miles south-west), Hitchin (7 miles north-west) and Hoddesdon (11 miles south-east).
Around Aston
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Heathcote School, Rose And Crown Public House and Barnwell School, among other places. The nearest railway station is Knebworth station, about 2.2 miles south-west of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Benington Castle (1.5 miles east) and Stevenage Museum (2.3 miles north-west). The countryside around Aston includes Ridlins Mire.
When you need someone else
Every survey has limits, and it is better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- Flue inspections or sweeping
- Areas we can’t view from safe positions
- Whether a gas appliance or its flue is safe
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll recommend the right survey. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Chimney breasts
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Brick chimney stacks
- Flaunching