Reading · London and the South East
Chalkhouse Green Flat Roof Survey
Flat roof surveys in Chalkhouse Green, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
What we can’t see
A survey is a proper look at the flat roof, but it cannot do everything. The main limits are:
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
- Fragile surfaces, which we do not walk on
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. What a survey covers and does not.
Roofs we survey in Chalkhouse Green
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
- GRP fibreglass
- Single-ply membranes
- Mastic asphalt
How a flat roof survey works in Chalkhouse Green
Flat roofs deal with rain in a very different way from pitched ones. Because rain sits on it for longer, a small split, an open seam or a blocked outlet matters more. We check the surface, the falls, the upstands and the edge trims, and we look for signs that water has reached the deck. The aim is to find problems before they show up as a stain on a ceiling. We survey single-ply membranes, upstands and outlets and felt flat roofs, and people most frequently book us about outlets that hold water back and edge trims that have lifted or split.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Chalkhouse Green take more wind and rain, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. Felt roofs, which frequently last around 15–20 years, normally show it first. EPDM rubber and GRP coverings last longer, but their edges and joints still need checking. Exposed edges are normally the first part of a flat roof to go.
We write the report in plain English, so you don’t need to be a roofer to follow it. Photos show what each point refers to, with the urgent items made clear.
- Location
- Chalkhouse Green (RG4)
- Wider area
- Reading
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes an hour or two at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Cottages and farmhouses around Chalkhouse Green often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- First we go through the roof, what’s beneath it and any problems so far.
- We look at the roof from the ground, windows and the roof where it is safe.
- We check the covering for splits, blisters, ponding and wear.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- The report, with photographs and recommendations, comes to you by email.
Getting ready for the survey
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
Booking a survey
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Advice
Chalkhouse Green questions
Is my home in Chalkhouse Green listed or in a conservation area?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Is Chalkhouse Green within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We work right across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
When does the report arrive?
Report times are set by the package. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. If you have a deadline, such as an exchange date, tell us when booking.
Will this cover the whole house?
No. We look closely at the flat roof rather than the whole building. It complements a RICS home survey rather than replacing it, and structural calculations need a structural engineer.
Do you survey commercial flat roofs?
Yes. We survey flat roofs on commercial buildings as well as homes. A commercial roof normally takes about 3 to 4 hours on site, longer if it is large or complex, and larger roofs are quoted for their size.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where applicable and safe. We fly a sub-250g drone and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where it applies.
Can you test old roof sheets for asbestos?
Asbestos testing is not part of our survey. Where a roof has materials that might contain asbestos, like old cement sheeting, the report flags them and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor.
Can I check my roof myself?
You can learn a lot from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
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. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
What a survey costs
Our packages start from £150, inc. VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- House, block, shop or office
- The size of the roof
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how safely it can be seen. Prices start from £150, including VAT.
What to tell us when you get in touch
Here’s what helps us most when you contact us:
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- What made you get in touch
Every survey is priced before it is booked, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
How the survey changes by roof type
Single-ply membranes
On single-ply roofs, the welds between sheets are the key detail. We look at seams, corners and the joints around outlets and upstands.
EPDM rubber
Rubber roofs can shrink back from their edges or lift where the adhesive has failed. We record any we can see, with photographs.
Flat and commercial roofs around Chalkhouse Green
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. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere. About 2.6 miles west lies Mapledurham House, a reminder of how long the area around Chalkhouse Green has been built on. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Emmer Green Primary School, large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly. If you own a rental within reach of Reading station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Chalkhouse Green is about 1 mile north-west of Caversham, in Reading. If you are in Chalkhouse Green, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Across Reading, we cover Chalkhouse Green.
Flat roof surveys in RG4 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We cover properties on Kidmore End Road, Chalkhouse Green Lane and Tanners Lane and the roads around them. Other places close to Chalkhouse Green include Tokers Green (1 mile south-west), Emmer Green (1 mile south-east), Caversham (1 mile south-east), Caversham Heights (1 mile south) and Caversham Park Village (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Norcot (3 miles south-west), West Reading (3 miles south), Tilehurst Within (4 miles south-west), Shinfield (6 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (9 miles south-east) and Horncastle (4 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in Chalkhouse Green
We work in homes and buildings around Bird in Hand pub, The Warwick School and Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Reading station, about 2.6 miles south of the centre. A little further out are Royal Berkshire Regiment Museum (2.9 miles south) and Battle Hospital (2.8 miles south). The countryside around Chalkhouse Green includes South Lake and Sonning Hill.
Also near Chalkhouse Green
What else we do in Chalkhouse Green
When to book a survey in Chalkhouse Green
A buyer’s general survey frequently recommends a closer look at a flat roof. Building owners and managing agents book to plan maintenance, or before a sale or a new lease. Either way, you get a clear record of the roof, with photographs.
Look out for signs like these:
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
- Ponding water that doesn’t drain away
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
- Splits, cracks and crazing
Shop and office owners around Broad Street Mall may find that outlets and upstands on commercial flat roofs are the places to check before trouble starts.
What to check before booking
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- What insurance they carry