Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Chimney Survey in Merstone
Chimney surveys in Merstone and the rest of the Isle of Wight. We survey on any day of the week.
- A chimney out of line
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
- Lifted or split lead flashings
Chimney survey in Merstone
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. You get photos and findings you can take back to the seller or agent. It complements a RICS home survey rather than replacing it. If you’ve noticed signs that a stack is leaning and unused flues sealed without airflow, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Older buildings in small places like Merstone 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. Where a building is listed, matching the existing roof materials is often expected.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets. You will see the good as well as the bad.
- Where
- Merstone (PO30)
- Wider area
- Isle of Wight
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it’s applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours for a house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Around Merstone, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it’s safe.
- First we talk through the stacks, their history and any problems.
- We check every stack from wherever it can be seen safely.
- Pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings are checked and photographed.
- We look for damp on chimney breasts and in the roof space.
- The report, with photographs and recommendations, is emailed to you.
Before we arrive
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
Arrange a survey
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
Related advice
Tips from our surveys
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Have brackets on the chimney checked
- Keep track of stains on chimney breasts
- Use a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas appliances
- Keep the report to compare against at the next survey
With a shared stack, the report can help when talking to next door. The photos show the problem and which side it is on from the viewpoints we used.
Get small mortar repairs done while they’re small. Small repairs now can save bigger work later.
Roof by roof
Lead flashings
Flashings can lift in wind or pull out of their mortar joints. Any loose or split flashings are recorded.
Chimney pots and cowls
A loose or cracked pot can fall from height. We photograph each pot and note any damage.
Checking the roof from the ground
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, which helps when we look at the roof.
Prices for chimney surveys in Merstone
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The roof’s overall size
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we will tell you which fits.
What we need to know
These details help when you get in touch:
- The type of building and roof, like pitched or flat
- What’s prompted the survey
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- The address and postcode of the property
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Places near Merstone
Also in Merstone
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Merstone
The coast is about 5 miles or less from Merstone, so there is more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, and strong wind lifts anything already loose on a roof. Some villages on the Isle of Wight still have thatched roofs, and nowhere on the island is far from the sea. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look.
If you own a rental within reach of Shanklin station, a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak.
Merstone is about 3 miles south-east of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. We visit Merstone as part of our work across the Isle of Wight, for homes and businesses alike. Across the Isle of Wight, we cover Merstone and the places around it. Our Portsmouth page covers surveys nearby.
Surveys in PO30 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Streets in the area include Merstone Lane, Chapel Lane and Newlands. We also cover the places around Merstone: Arreton (1 mile north-east), Rookley (1 mile south-west), Hale Common (1 mile south-east), Rookley Green (1 mile south-west) and Blackwater (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns like Newport (3 miles north-west), Ryde (6 miles north-east), Cowes (7 miles north), Sandown (4 miles east), Shanklin (4 miles south-east) and Ventnor (5 miles south-east). For harder-to-reach addresses, a little more planning is needed, so mention it when booking.
Around Merstone
For rail, the closest station is Shanklin station, roughly 3.8 miles south-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Whitecroft Hospital (2.2 miles west) and Carisbrooke Castle (3.1 miles north-west). The countryside around Merstone includes Stenbury Down and Alverstone Mead.
Your questions about chimney surveys in Merstone
Is Merstone within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Is the coastal weather around Merstone hard on roofs?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there is more wind, and more salt in the air. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch.
Is a chimney survey the same as a flue inspection?
No. We survey the stack and its weathering, not the flue. For the flue, you’ll need a sweep or, for gas, a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day. Let us know your preferred days when booking.
Should I worry about a leaning stack?
It’s worth having a leaning stack checked. Our survey notes how it looks and the condition of the bricks and joints, and if it may be a structural issue, we recommend a structural engineer.
How do I book a survey in Merstone?
To book, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and find a day that suits.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, if the freeholder or managing agent agrees access. We look at the parts we are given access to, and the report makes that clear.
When to book a survey in Merstone
Where a chimney meets the roof, lead flashings keep water out. They can lift in wind, crack with age or pull out of the mortar joints. Failed flashings are one of the most common causes of damp around chimneys. Lead is also a target for theft.
Here are some of the things we see frequently:
- Damp patches on chimney breasts
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
- Pots or cowls that look unsafe
Historic houses like Arreton Manor, about 1.1 miles north, show how far back building around Merstone goes. Older homes in the area may have roofs that need matching materials when work is done.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Their insurance cover
- Whether the inside of the roof is included