West Berkshire · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Burnt Hill, West Berkshire
Wondering about the flat roof at a property in Burnt Hill? We carry out flat roof surveys in Burnt Hill and across West Berkshire.
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Outlets that hold water back
- Splits and cracks in the covering
Should I look at the roof myself first?
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.
How a flat roof survey works in Burnt Hill
Buying a home with a flat-roofed extension, dormer or garage? It helps to know that roof’s condition before you exchange. Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM and GRP often last longer. We set out the type of covering, its condition and the defects we found, with a photo of every defect. You then have something specific to put to the seller or agent. Common reasons to book are loose or cracked edge trims and leaks around rooflights, across felt flat roofs, upstands and outlets and single-ply membranes.
Older buildings in small places like Burnt Hill may be listed or in a conservation area, and that can affect how an extension roof or dormer is re-covered. Check with the council before planning any change of material. Finding out what state the roof is in gives you the facts to plan with. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
The report records the flat roof as we found it on the day. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, like when you want to compare after future work.
- Place
- Burnt Hill (RG18)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
EPDM rubber
A rubber roof can last 30 to 50 years, provided its details were done well. Those details are where we focus.
Single-ply membranes
Single-ply relies on its welded laps staying sound. Seams, corners and the details around outlets and upstands get a close look.
When to book a survey in Burnt Hill
No flat roof covering lasts for ever. Around 15 to 20 years is common for felt, while EPDM often lasts 30 to 50 years and GRP up to about 30, although how well it was laid and looked after matters a great deal. We can tell you how your roof is doing, whatever its age.
Typical things we are asked to look at include:
- Cracked or split membrane
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
Landlords with a home close to Pangbourne station may find that a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak.
What to check before booking
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- What the survey won’t cover
- Their insurance cover
Places near Burnt Hill
Other services in Burnt Hill
Local flat roofs in Burnt Hill
Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are a good many flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops. Basildon Park, about 3.5 miles north-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Burnt Hill. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Church of St Peter and St Paul, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking. Anyone responsible for a site like Yattendon C.E. Primary School will know that large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
Burnt Hill is about 5 miles north-east of Thatcham, in West Berkshire. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Burnt Hill can all book flat roof surveys. We cover towns and villages across West Berkshire, large and small. There’s also a page for Reading.
Surveys in RG18 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Other places close to Burnt Hill include Stubbles (1 mile north), Stanford Dingley (2 miles south), Ashampstead (2 miles north), Ashampstead Green (2 miles north) and Upper Basildon (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Newbury (8 miles south-west), Thatcham (5 miles south-west), Burghfield Common (7 miles south-east), Speenhamland (7 miles south-west), Hungerford (15 miles west) and Spencers Wood (10 miles south-east).
Local landmarks in Burnt Hill
Burnt Hill’s nearest station is Pangbourne station, roughly 4.2 miles east. Other landmarks nearby include Yattendon Castle (1.1 miles west). Open spaces near Burnt Hill include Hartslock.
Burnt Hill: your questions answered
Do you cover Burnt Hill?
Yes, Burnt Hill is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Burnt Hill as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Is my home in Burnt Hill listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We check the parts we are given access to, and the report makes that clear.
Will the survey show why my flat roof is leaking?
Our survey looks across the whole roof, not only above the stain. Splits, open laps, upstands, outlets and rooflights are all checked. Where nothing visible explains the leak, the report says what to try next.
Is a flat roof survey the same as a building survey?
No. Our survey covers the flat roof only. It is not a RICS Level 2 or 3 home survey or a structural engineer’s report. It often sits alongside a buyer’s building survey.
What happens after the survey?
The report arrives by email, with photographs and clear recommendations. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
Can you test old roof sheets for asbestos?
Asbestos testing isn’t part of our survey. If we see materials that could contain it, like cement sheets on a building from before 2000, we flag them so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check them.
What this survey can’t tell you
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- The condition of the deck or insulation hidden under the covering
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- Parts of the roof that aren’t safe to walk on or view
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Burnt Hill
- Felt flat roofs
- GRP fibreglass
- Mastic asphalt
- Upstands and outlets
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
The survey, step by step
A survey visit follows a simple order: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photographs as we go and make notes for the report. Most visits take an hour or two for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. In a hamlet or village like Burnt Hill, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- You tell us about the roof, its covering if you know it, and any leaks.
- We view the roof from ground level, from windows and from the roof where it’s safe to do so.
- Every part of the roof we can see is looked at: covering, falls, upstands, outlets, trims and rooflights.
- Inside, we look for damp and staining under the roof where there is access.
- You get a report with photographs and our recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Getting a price
When you’re ready to go ahead, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Related advice
Tips that help
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner, before and after a survey:
- Check from a window for ponding after heavy rain
- Keep records of when the roof was laid and what work has been done
- Plan a survey before the covering reaches the end of its usual life
- Ask contractors to protect the roof if they work on it
Landlords, owners and managing agents can keep the report as a dated record of the roof. It’s useful when planning upkeep and setting budgets, and it gives a baseline to compare against next time.
Keep foot traffic on a flat roof to a minimum. Where someone does need access, ask them to use boards or a protected route, and to keep well clear of rooflights and fragile sheeting.