Greater London · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Farthing Street
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings around Farthing Street, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Blocked or damaged outlets
- Loose or cracked edge trims
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Farthing Street
A flat roof leak often travels before it shows on the ceiling. It can run along the deck from a split, an open lap or a failed upstand some distance away. That is why we check every detail across the roof, not only the area above the stain, with photographs of anything that could be letting water in. Whoever carries out the work then has a clear starting point. We survey mastic asphalt, EPDM rubber and felt flat roofs, and common reasons people get in touch are raised blisters across the surface and outlets that hold water back.
Commercial and residential blocks across London often have big flat roofs with plant, rooflights and access walkways. Every penetration and upstand is a place where a membrane can fail. In Farthing Street, roof access is agreed with the building manager or owner beforehand. Rooflights, plant supports and pipe entries are common places for a membrane to fail.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters. You’ll see the good as well as the bad.
- Place
- Farthing Street (BR6)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. Everything that can safely be seen is inspected, and anything we can’t see is noted in the report. Most visits take about one to two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. London terraces rarely offer a view of the whole roof from one spot, so a visit in Farthing Street moves between viewpoints: the pavement, upstairs windows, the loft and any safe spot at the back. Shared stairs or a basement flat? Let us know who holds the keys.
- We start with the address and, on larger roofs, the roof area and access.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where there is access.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, without walking on fragile surfaces.
- Each defect is photographed and its likely cause noted.
- You get a report setting out the condition and our recommendations, in order of urgency.
Before we arrive
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
Getting a price
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or email us. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.
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Different roofs, different checks
Felt and built-up roofs
On felt, the upstands and edge details often fail before the main surface. Every upstand and edge is checked, with photos of any that have lifted or cracked.
Rooflights and upstands
Upstands at walls and parapets need to stay watertight as the building moves. We check for splits, gaps and loose flashings above the upstand.
Can I check my roof myself?
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
You can learn a lot from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
Your questions about flat roof surveys in Farthing Street
How do I find out if my home in Farthing Street is listed?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Farthing Street?
Yes, Farthing Street is within the area we cover. We survey roofs across London and South East England. You can ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address and some details.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you when you book.
How much is a survey?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on its size, height, access and the package.
How long will you be at the property?
It usually takes about 1–2 hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. We will confirm the timing when booking.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first, with the freeholder or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Can you survey any kind of flat roof?
Felt, asphalt, EPDM, GRP and single-ply roofs are all covered. If you don’t know what your roof is, we will identify it on the day.
Common roof problems in Farthing Street
The details are frequently where a flat roof lets go first. Upstands, trims, outlets and rooflight kerbs each move and weather in their own way. If they were rushed when the roof was laid, they’re often the first things to fail.
Problems we come across often include:
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Blocked or damaged outlets
For an older house near a landmark like St Mary's Church, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Before booking anyone
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
Local flat roofs in Farthing Street
About 1 mile south lies Down House, a reminder of how long the area around Farthing Street has been built on. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. Outer London has lots of Victorian and Edwardian terraces with slate roofs, but also a great many interwar semis, often with hipped roofs in clay or concrete tiles. On a semi of that age, the small roofs over the bays, the hip tiles and any later dormer each need their own look. Next to the main roofs there is usually a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
Take a building like Downe Primary School: schools and public buildings frequently have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks. Controlled parking zones are common in London, so mention any permit rules for Farthing Street, along with any off-street space.
Farthing Street is about 4 miles south-west of Orpington, in Greater London. Farthing Street is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Farthing Street is one of the towns and villages in Greater London where we work. You can also see our page for London.
Here we cover the BR6 postcode area for flat roof surveys. Whether your property is on Farthing Street, New Road Hill and Orange Court Lane or a nearby road, we can help. We also cover the places around Farthing Street: Downe (1 mile south-east), Leaves Green (1 mile south-west), Hazelwood (1 mile south-east), Keston (1 mile north-west) and Farnborough (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include London (12 miles north-west), City of Westminster (15 miles north-west), Marylebone (15 miles north-west), Kensington (15 miles north-west), St Pancras (14 miles north-west) and Shoreditch (14 miles north-west).
Near you in Farthing Street
Typical jobs here are in homes near Darrick Wood School, South Park and The Queens Head pub, among other places. The nearest railway station is Orpington station, roughly 2.6 miles north-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Princess Royal University Hospital (1.4 miles north) and Crofton Roman Villa (2.5 miles north-east). For a walk, there’s Betsom's Hill and West Kent Golf Course nature reserve.
Practical tips
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Limit foot traffic on the covering
- Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
- Ask whoever fits equipment on the roof to make good the covering
- Note the date and type of any roof work
If you are buying, the report gives you something specific to take back to the seller or agent. You might ask for work to be done before completion, or discuss the price, depending on what we found.
Small defects are simpler to deal with while they’re still small. A flat roof that’s looked after between surveys usually lasts longer.
What we cannot see
A survey is a careful look at the flat roof, but it can’t do everything. Its limits include:
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll recommend the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Farthing Street
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
- Single-ply membranes
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- EPDM rubber