Hampshire · London and the South East
Knowle Chimney Survey
A survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching for Knowle, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Cracked or missing flaunching
- Damp patches on chimney breasts
Knowle homes and their roofs
Knowle lies within about 4 miles of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Near the sea, metal fixings wear faster and loose pieces on a roof are more likely to lift, while driving rain finds any gap. 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.
For landlords with property near Fareham station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints. Shop and office owners around Fareham Shopping Centre may find that a dated report on the roof is useful for planning and for any lease discussions. Take an older house close to Church of St Francis: its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Knowle is about 2 miles north of Fareham, in Hampshire. Knowle gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a proper look at what can safely be seen, photographs and a clear written report. Across Hampshire, we cover Knowle and the places around it. Portsmouth is in our area too.
All of PO17 is covered for chimney surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We offer chimney surveys to properties on Serotine Close, Boundary Walk and Park Approach. Other places close to Knowle include Funtley (1 mile south), Tapnage (1 mile north-west), Heathfield (2 miles south), Segensworth (2 miles west) and Titchfield Park (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Winchester (13 miles north), Gosport (6 miles south-east), Havant (10 miles east), Eastleigh (9 miles north-west), Horndean (9 miles east) and Totton (13 miles west).
What’s near Knowle
In Knowle, that means homes and buildings near The Miners Arms and The Henry Cort Community College, among other places. The closest station to Knowle is Fareham station, about 2 miles south of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Portchester Castle (4.9 miles south-east) and Knowle Hospital (under half a mile north-east). For a walk, there’s Portsdown Hill and Swanwick Lakes.
Chimney survey in Knowle
Many homes have chimneys that are no longer used. Even when it is not used, a stack has to stay weathertight. If it has been capped without ventilation, damp can build up inside it. Our survey looks at how each unused stack has been capped and checks the breasts for damp. The report sets out what we found and what we recommend. Typical surveys look at a chimney out of line and frost-damaged brickwork on the stack, on brick chimney stacks, chimney breasts and flaunching.
In a village or hamlet like Knowle, older cottages and farmhouses often sit alongside barns, outbuildings and a few newer houses. Roofs there can be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, and chimney stacks are often old. Each needs checking in its own way, and thatch is a specialist material we report on as far as it can be seen. Chimneys and lead flashings on old roofs often need the most attention.
The written findings come by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Where
- Knowle (PO17)
- Wider area
- Hampshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Nearby places to Knowle
More services for Knowle
Landlord and commercial surveys in Knowle
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the freeholder or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the visit with that in mind.
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps with budgets and planning.
What a survey costs
Survey packages start from £150, with VAT included. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Height and safe access
- Roof area
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, inc. VAT, and we will tell you which fits.
What we need to know
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- The property’s address and postcode
- What made you get in touch
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine, and please don’t climb up for a closer look. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Look at the chimneys with binoculars after a storm
- File photos of the stacks with your home records
- Leave close inspection to people with safe access
- Photograph damp patches with the date
Where another specialist is needed, such as a structural engineer or sweep, we explain why. It gives them a clear starting point.
Keep an eye on chimney breasts for new damp patches. Early signs are easier to trace.
The survey, step by step
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you’d like to know. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where it applies. Most surveys take between one and two hours at most homes, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Rural addresses near Knowle can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- First we talk through the stacks, their history and any problems.
- Each stack is inspected from safe positions outside.
- Pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings are checked and photographed.
- Inside, the chimney breasts and the loft are checked for damp where there is access.
- The report, with photos and recommendations, is emailed to you.
Before the survey
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
How to book
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.
Advice
Leave it or get it looked at?
Most people never get a proper look at their chimney stacks. Problems often go unnoticed until damp appears inside. Surveying the stack now can catch problems first. Older cottages and farmhouses around Knowle can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it’s left.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 including VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you want to find out.
Why book us in Knowle
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Visits on any day of the week
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
When you need someone else
To be straight with you, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Whether the flue is safe to use
- Conditions inside walls
- Whether a gas appliance or its flue is safe
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Brick chimney stacks
- Flaunching
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Chimney breasts
- Lead flashings
- Chimney pots and cowls
Knowle questions
Do you cover smaller places like Knowle?
Yes, Knowle is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
Can a landlord with a rental near Fareham station book a roof survey?
Yes, that’s a common request. We just need to know who will give access, and the report can go straight to you or your agent.
Do you look in the loft space?
If the survey needs it and the roof space can be reached safely, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only if it’s safe. We inspect what can be seen safely: from the ground, from windows and vantage points, from the loft space, from the roof itself where safe and by drone where applicable. The report says if anything couldn’t be seen.
What should I do with a chimney I do not use?
An unused stack still needs to stay weathertight and ventilated. If it’s capped without ventilation, damp can build up inside. We check how it is capped and its condition, so you can plan what to do with it.
How long will you be at the property?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof; most visits take about one to two hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. The report is sent afterwards by email.
Does the weather affect the survey?
It depends on the weather and the survey. In strong wind or a downpour, a drone can’t fly and access may not be safe, so we’d move the date with you.