Essex · London and the South East
Chimney Survey in Little Yeldham
Chimney surveys in Little Yeldham and the rest of Essex. Surveys run seven days a week.
- A chimney out of line
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
How the survey changes by roof type
Lead flashings
Over time, lead can lift or come away from the brickwork. We photograph any we find that look loose or damaged.
Brick stacks
Most chimney stacks are built of brick, with mortar joints that wear over time. We check the bricks for spalling and the joints for erosion.
Chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Little Yeldham
For buyers, a chimney survey before exchange can flag work you may want to raise. Cracked flaunching, failed flashings and worn pointing are common findings on older stacks. Our report gives you specific points to raise with the seller or agent. It works alongside a RICS home survey, not instead of one. We’re often asked to look into damp patches on chimney breasts and pots or cowls that look unsafe, on brick chimney stacks, lead flashings and shared and party-wall stacks.
In a small place like Little Yeldham, 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 often the first to give way.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Location
- Little Yeldham (CO9)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes between one and two hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. Somewhere like Little Yeldham needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect whatever is safely visible, inside and out.
- We go through the chimneys, any damp and any work done on them.
- We check every stack from wherever it can safely be seen.
- Pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings are checked and photographed.
- Inside, the chimney breasts and the loft are checked for damp where there’s access.
- The report, with photographs and recommendations, is emailed to you.
How to prepare
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Keep pets in another room
Getting a price
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form to find out.
Related advice
Chimney surveys around Little Yeldham
Historic houses like Hedingham Castle, about 2.3 miles south, show how far back building in the area around Little Yeldham goes. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Older buildings in Essex often have clay tiles and weatherboarding, while many towns grew with post-war and newer estates. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
Little Yeldham is about 6 miles north of Halstead, in Essex. Bookings from Little Yeldham are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Our area takes in places right across Essex, from the larger towns to small villages. Chelmsford is in our area too.
All of CO9 is covered for chimney surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We cover properties on School Road, Mashey Road and North End Road. We also cover the places around Little Yeldham: Tilbury Juxta Clare (1 mile north-west), Great Yeldham (1 mile south-west), Oaker Hill (2 miles west) and Ridgewell (3 miles west). Larger places within reach include Braintree (10 miles south), Saffron Walden (15 miles west), Camulodunum (15 miles south-east), Halstead (6 miles south), Great Dunmow (14 miles south-west) and Great Notley (12 miles south).
Local landmarks in Little Yeldham
Well-known places in the area include Hedingham Castle (2.3 miles south) and Zero2 Bus Museum (1.8 miles south-west).
Surveys for landlords and agents in Little Yeldham
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Larger roofs take longer, so they’re priced to suit.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. Recommendations are set out with the most urgent first where relevant.
Signs you need a chimney survey in Little Yeldham
Many chimneys are no longer used. If a stack is capped or blocked without ventilation, moisture can build up inside. Damp patches can appear on chimney breasts even when nothing is leaking.
Typical things we are asked to look at include:
- Bricks with flaking faces
- A chimney out of line
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Flaunching that has broken away
If you live in an older home near Parish Church of St John the Baptist, its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- What happens after the report arrives
- Their report turnaround times
- Their track record with similar roofs
When you need someone else
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Gas safety checks, which need a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Structural calculations for a leaning stack
- Hidden sides of a shared stack
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Little Yeldham
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Brick chimney stacks
- Lead flashings
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Flaunching
- Chimney breasts
Checking the roof from the ground
A lot can be seen from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey.
Your questions about chimney surveys in Little Yeldham
How do I find out if my home in Little Yeldham is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Do you cover Little Yeldham?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Little Yeldham as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey seven days a week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Let us know which days suit you as you book.
Is it a problem to have an unused chimney?
There is no single answer. The survey shows its condition and how it’s been capped. In a conservation area or on a listed building, changes may need consent.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
How long is the visit?
Time on site depends on the roof; most visits take an hour or two for most houses, or half a day or so for a commercial building. The report is sent afterwards by email.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only if it’s safe. We look at everything that can safely be seen: from the ground, from windows and vantage points, from the loft space, from the roof itself where safe and by drone where it applies. Anything we can’t see is noted in the report.