West Berkshire · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Heads Hill, West Berkshire
A survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching for Heads Hill, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photos.
- Flaunching that has broken away
- Disused chimneys trapping moisture
- Mortar washing out of the joints
Local roofs in Heads Hill
Historic houses such as Shaw House, about 3.3 miles north-west, show how far back building in the area around Heads Hill goes. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Church of St Peter, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine. Trees in and around New Greenham Park shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching. If you own a rental within reach of Thatcham station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at.
Heads Hill is about 2 miles south of Thatcham, in West Berkshire. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Heads Hill can all book chimney surveys. Heads Hill is one of the places in West Berkshire where we work. Our Reading page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in RG19 and RG20 is within our area for chimney surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Local streets include Main Street, Thornford Road and Second Street East. We also cover the places around Heads Hill: Bishop's Green (1 mile south-west), Headley (1 mile south-east), Bury's Bank (1 mile north-west), Mill Green (1 mile south-east) and Goose Hill (2 miles south-east). We also work in nearby towns like Newbury (3 miles north-west), Burghfield Common (9 miles east), Speenhamland (3 miles north-west), Hungerford (11 miles west), Spencers Wood (13 miles east) and Calcot (11 miles north-east).
Near you in Heads Hill
Typical jobs here are in homes near New Greenham Park and Kennet School and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Thatcham station, roughly 1.9 miles north-east. Well-known places in the area include Donnington Castle (4.3 miles north-west) and West Berkshire Community Hospital (2.4 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Thatcham Reed Beds and Ladle Hill.
Chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Heads Hill
If you’re buying a home with chimneys, it’s 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. Common reasons to book are worn or missing pointing and gaps where the stack meets the roof, across lead flashings, flaunching and brick chimney stacks.
Older buildings in small places like Heads Hill may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials can be used when work is done, so check with the council before planning anything. A roof report helps you plan work with that in mind. Older materials such as clay tiles, slate and stone are frequently matched when work is done.
Findings are set out part by part, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets, each with a short note and a photograph. It records what’s sound as well as what isn’t.
- Location
- Heads Hill (RG19, RG20)
- Wider area
- West Berkshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Rendered stacks
Some stacks are rendered, which can hide the condition of the brickwork beneath. We look for cracks, hollow areas and staining.
Lead flashings
Over time, lead can lift or come away from the brickwork. We photograph any we find that look loose or damaged.
Towns and villages near Heads Hill
More services for Heads Hill
What you can safely check yourself
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Tips from our surveys
You don’t need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Make sure unused flues are capped with ventilation
- Keep the report to compare against at the next survey
- Check fixings on the stack are secure
- Ask about consent before removing a chimney on an older property
Many people use the report to get quotes for the work. Because everyone is pricing the same findings, the quotes are easier to compare.
Keep an eye on chimney breasts for new damp patches. The sooner damp is spotted, the easier the cause is to find.
How it works
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. A typical visit takes about one to two hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. Older rural homes like those around Heads Hill can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- We start by noting which stacks are in use, shared or causing concern.
- The flashings and the roof around each chimney are inspected.
- We look at the flaunching and pots on every stack.
- Any lean, spalling or worn pointing is recorded.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
Preparing for the visit
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
Getting a price
For a price for chimney surveys in Heads Hill, ring 07833 053749 or email us. Some details about the property and the roof help us give you an accurate price.
Related advice
Why it is worth a survey now in Heads Hill
Loose pots and bricks on a stack are a safety concern. Finding them early means they can be dealt with before they come down by a suitable contractor. For an older or listed building in a place like Heads Hill, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Heads Hill
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Surveys seven days a week
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
Read our cost guide or our case studies.
Questions from Heads Hill
Will you come out to Heads Hill?
Yes, Heads Hill is covered. Our area covers London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Thatcham station?
Yes, landlords and letting agents book with us as well as owners. You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details, including who will give access on the day.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We note visible signs like sagging or deflection, but we don’t carry out calculations or give an engineer’s opinion. If we think you need an engineer, the report says so.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, and it isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Will you walk on the roof?
Not unless it’s safe. Safe viewpoints, the loft space and a drone where it applies cover most of what’s needed.
How much does a chimney survey cost in Heads Hill?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the exact price before booking, based on the roof’s size, access and package. To get a price, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Do you inspect the flue?
No. Our survey covers the outside of the stack and the roof around it. For the flue, you’ll need a sweep or, for gas, a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What a chimney survey doesn’t cover
Some things cannot be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- Whether a gas appliance or its flue is safe
- Parts of the stack that can’t be seen safely or belong to a neighbour we can’t access
- Hidden damage within the stack
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will tell you. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings
- Flaunching
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Brick chimney stacks
- Chimney breasts
- Shared and party-wall stacks