Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Brickendon Chimney Survey
A survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching for Brickendon, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
- A stack that appears to lean
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
How the survey changes by roof type
Brick stacks
Spalled bricks, where the face has flaked off, are a sign of water and frost. We record any we can see.
Lead flashings
Some older stacks have mortar fillets instead of lead. They tend to crack, so we check them closely.
About our chimney survey in Brickendon
If you’re buying a home with chimneys, it is worth knowing their condition before you exchange. On older stacks, we frequently find cracked flaunching, loose flashings and worn pointing. Our report gives you specific points to raise with the seller or agent. It works alongside a RICS home survey, not instead of one. If you’ve noticed spalled or crumbling bricks and unused flues sealed without airflow, we can find out what’s behind it.
In a small place like Brickendon, 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 written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are frequently the first to give way.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Place
- Brickendon (SG13)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Checking the roof from the ground
A lot can be seen from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Chimney surveys in Brickendon: local notes
Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first. Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. Re-roofing in different materials may need permission there.
For landlords with property near Bayford station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints. If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Holy Cross & St Alban, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.
Brickendon is about 3 miles west of Hoddesdon, in Hertfordshire. Bookings from Brickendon are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Our area takes in places right across Hertfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. London is in our area too.
Here we cover the SG13 postcode area for chimney surveys. If you are just outside Brickendon, we cover Wormley West End (2 miles south-east), Goose Green (2 miles east), Horns Mill (2 miles north), High Leigh (2 miles east) and Woollensbrook (2 miles north-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Watford (15 miles south-west), Stevenage (11 miles north), St Albans (11 miles west), Bishop's Stortford (13 miles north-east), Welwyn Garden City (6 miles north-west) and Harpenden (12 miles west).
What’s near Brickendon
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Farmer's Boy pub, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Bayford station, about 0.6 miles west. Well-known places in the area include The National Speedway Museum (1.2 miles south-east) and Hertford County Hospital (2.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Cheshunt Lake and Danemead.
What a survey costs
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- The size of the roof
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
To find out what your survey will cost, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us about the roof. We will confirm the figure before booking.
Helping us price your survey
A few details help us recommend the right survey and price. When you contact us, it helps to mention:
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will explain the options and the price.
Brickendon: your questions answered
I let a flat near Bayford station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and agents are among the people we work for. Just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the details, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Brickendon?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain doesn’t usually stop a survey, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Strong wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so if conditions aren’t right we’ll arrange another day with you.
What happens after the survey?
The report arrives by email, with photographs and clear recommendations. With Standard there’s a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation.
How much is a survey?
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all with VAT included.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We carry out surveys on weekdays and at weekends. To arrange a date, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Can you find out why my chimney breast is damp?
There are a few common causes: cracked flaunching, worn pointing, failed flashings, uncapped pots, or damp trapped in an unventilated stack. Our survey checks each of these and records the likely cause.
Also near Brickendon
Also in Brickendon
What we do, step by step
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the loft space if there is safe access. All told, expect about one to two hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. In a hamlet or village like Brickendon, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We start by noting which stacks are in use, shared or causing concern.
- The flashings and the roof around each chimney are inspected.
- We check the flaunching and pots on every stack.
- Any lean, spalling or worn pointing is recorded.
- The report explains the condition and which work is most urgent.
Preparing for the visit
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Arrange a survey
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Read more
What a chimney survey doesn’t cover
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- Whether a stack needs rebuilding on structural grounds
- Hidden damage within the stack
- Areas we cannot view from safe positions
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Flaunching
- Lead flashings
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Brick chimney stacks
- Chimney breasts
- Chimney pots and cowls
Landlord and commercial surveys in Brickendon
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Brickendon. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you get in touch and we will plan the survey around it.