Reading · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Dunsden Green, Reading
Chimney surveys in Dunsden Green, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. You get a clear report with photographs.
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
- Flaunching that has broken away
- A chimney out of line
About our chimney survey in Dunsden Green
Damp on a chimney breast can have several causes. It might come in at the top, through worn pointing or porous bricks, or where the flashings meet the roof. Condensation inside an unventilated stack is another common cause. Our survey checks each of these and records the likely cause. That points the work in the right direction. Common reasons to book are pots or cowls that look unsafe and damp on a chimney breast inside, on brick chimney stacks, flaunching and chimney breasts.
In a small place like Dunsden Green, 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. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are often where weather gets in first.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, emailed to you. It sets out the condition of the chimney stack, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Where
- Dunsden Green (RG4)
- Region
- Reading
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
After the inspection, everything we found is written up in a report with photographs, emailed to you. As for time on site, most surveys take about 1–2 hours at a house, as part of a look at the roof around the stack. Somewhere as small as Dunsden Green, access is often the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First we talk through the stacks, their history and any problems.
- We look at every stack from wherever it can safely be seen.
- We photograph and record the pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
- Inside, the chimney breasts and the loft are checked for damp where there’s access.
- You get a written report with photos and recommendations by email.
Before we arrive
- Tell us about parking before the day
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
Arrange a survey
Booking is simple: just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and give us some details about the property and we will point you to the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Read more
Nearby places to Dunsden Green
More services for Dunsden Green
Dunsden Green homes and their roofs
About 3.9 miles north lies Greys Court, a reminder of how long the area around Dunsden Green has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
For an older house near a landmark such as All Saints Church, corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs. Homes near green spaces such as Ali's Pond Local Nature Reserve can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn.
Dunsden Green is about 1 mile north-east of Caversham, in Reading. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Dunsden Green can all book chimney surveys. Across Reading, we cover Dunsden Green.
Postcode districts we cover here for chimney surveys: RG4. Neighbouring places we cover for chimney surveys include Littlestead Green (1 mile west), Play Hatch (1 mile south), Caversham Park Village (1 mile south-west), Emmer Green (1 mile south-west) and Caversham (1 mile south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Norcot (4 miles south-west), West Reading (4 miles south-west), Tilehurst Within (5 miles south-west), Shinfield (6 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (8 miles south) and Horncastle (5 miles south-west).
What’s near Dunsden Green
Typical jobs here are in homes near Ali's Pond Local Nature Reserve, Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre and The Flowing Spring pub and the streets around them. Dunsden Green’s nearest station is Reading station, roughly 2.6 miles south-west. A little further out are Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.8 miles south) and Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre Museum (2.8 miles south). Open spaces near Dunsden Green include Sonning Hill and South Lake.
When to book a survey in Dunsden Green
Stacks that were used for open fires for many years can weaken from the inside. Mortar can deteriorate unevenly from flue gases and moisture, which is one reason stacks start to lean.
Most people get in touch after spotting something like this:
- Flaunching that has broken away
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
If you let a flat or house near Reading station, a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant.
Before booking anyone
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Their track record with similar roofs
- What insurance they carry
What we can’t see
Before booking, it is worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- What’s inside the brickwork or behind render, without opening up
- Hidden sides of a shared stack
- Flue inspections or sweeping
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before you book. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Flaunching
- Chimney breasts
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Lead flashings
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Brick chimney stacks
Prices for chimney surveys in Dunsden Green
All our prices include VAT. What changes the price is:
- Roof area
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how it can be reached and seen safely. Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT.
Booking your survey
Some details help us point you to the right survey and price. When you get in touch, it helps to mention:
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- The address and postcode of the property
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Dunsden Green
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps with budgets and planning.
Roof by roof
Chimney breasts and the loft
In the loft, staining around the stack often shows where water is getting in. What we find is photographed and described.
Brick stacks
Spalled bricks, where the face has flaked off, are a sign of water and frost. We record any we can see.
Your questions about chimney surveys in Dunsden Green
Is my home in Dunsden Green listed or in a conservation area?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
I let a flat near Reading station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and agents are among the people we work for. Just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.
How much is a survey?
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. You will know the exact price before booking. To get a price, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Is it a problem to have an unused chimney?
An unused stack still needs to stay weathertight and ventilated. Capping without airflow can lead to damp. We check how it’s capped and its condition, so you can decide with a builder what to do.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Will you check the loft?
Where it is relevant to the survey and there’s safe access, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps.
Is Dunsden Green in your area?
Yes. We cover Dunsden Green and the rest of Reading, as part of our work across London and the South East. For a price, call 07833 053749 or email us.