West Berkshire · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Compton, West Berkshire
Chimney surveys in Compton, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Pots or cowls that look unsafe
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
Chimney survey in Compton: what you get
Our survey covers the structure of the stack and its weathering details. It’s not a flue inspection, a chimney sweep or a gas safety inspection. For the flue itself, you’ll need a sweep or, for gas appliances, a Gas Safe registered engineer. If something we see points to the flue, we’ll say so. Common reasons to book are damp patches on chimney breasts and gaps where the stack meets the roof, across flaunching, shared and party-wall stacks and chimney breasts.
Village roofs frequently face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are often where weather gets in first.
After the visit, you get a report with photographs, sent by email. It explains the condition of the chimney stack, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Where
- Compton (RG20)
- Wider area
- West Berkshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
Safety comes first on every visit. Everything that can safely be seen is inspected, and anything we cannot see is noted in the report. Most visits take about one to two hours at a house, as part of a look at the roof around the stack. Older roofs in small places like Compton can have low, tight loft spaces, so it helps to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You tell us whether any stacks are shared, unused or leaning.
- We check the roof around each stack, including the flashings.
- We check the flaunching and pots on every stack.
- We note the brickwork, pointing and any sign of leaning.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
Preparing for the visit
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Book a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Advice
Local roofs in Compton
In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first. An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent.
Anyone responsible for a site like Compton C.E. Primary School will know that its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale.
Compton is about 7 miles south of Didcot, in West Berkshire. From houses to flats and shops in Compton, we can survey the roof. Our West Berkshire coverage includes Compton and the places around it. We also survey roofs in Reading.
We survey roofs across RG20 for chimney surveys and the streets around it. Streets in the area include High Street, Lowbury Gardens and Cheap Street. Neighbouring places we cover for chimney surveys include East Ilsley (2 miles north-west), Aldworth (2 miles east), Woodway (3 miles north), Blewbury (4 miles north) and Chilton (4 miles north-west). Further out, we also cover Newbury (9 miles south), Thatcham (8 miles south), Burghfield Common (11 miles south-east), Speenhamland (8 miles south-west), Hungerford (14 miles south-west) and Spencers Wood (15 miles south-east).
Around Compton
Around Compton, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Downs School and The Swan pub, among other places. Well-known places in the area include Hampstead Norris Castle (2.5 miles south). Not far away are Churn Hill.
Tips that help
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Make sure unused flues are capped with ventilation
- Glance at the stacks from the street now and then
- Check with the council before altering a stack in a conservation area or on a listed building
- Never climb onto the roof to look at a chimney
The report is emailed to you, ready to share with a roofer or builder. We use plain English and a photo for each defect so anyone reading it can see what we saw.
Have aerial and dish brackets on the stack checked and taken off if they’re no longer needed. Removing unused fixings takes strain off the brickwork.
For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed in advance. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 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.
What this survey can’t tell you
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Bear these in mind:
- Conditions inside walls
- Whether the flue is safe to use
- Gas safety checks, which need a Gas Safe registered engineer
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Brick chimney stacks
- Chimney breasts
- Flaunching
- Shared and party-wall stacks
Also near Compton
More services for Compton
What we are asked to look at in Compton
Where a chimney meets the roof, lead flashings keep water out. With age they can lift, split or come away from the joints. When flashings fail, water frequently shows up in the loft or on the chimney breast. Lead flashings can also be stolen.
Common reasons to book include:
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
- Cracked or missing flaunching
- Damp patches on chimney breasts
- Mortar washing out of the joints
Take an older house close to Church of St Mary and St Nicholas: corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
Compton questions
How do I find out if my home in Compton is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Compton?
Yes. We work right across London and South East England, and Compton is part of that. Just ring 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the property.
What insurance do you have?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you when you book.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
What causes damp on a chimney breast?
Usually it’s water getting in from outside, or condensation in a sealed stack. The survey looks at the stack, the flashings and the capping, and record what we find.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, and it isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Why act early in Compton
Before deciding what to do with a redundant stack, a survey shows how it is doing. Changes to stacks in conservation areas or on listed buildings may need consent, so check with them first. In a small place like Compton, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Compton
- Clear package prices, including VAT
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.