Kent · London and the South East
Forstal Flat Roof Survey
Wondering about the flat roof at a property in Forstal? You can book a flat roof survey in Forstal and across Kent.
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Cracked or split membrane
About our flat roof survey in Forstal
We inspect a flat roof from wherever it can safely be seen: on the roof where it is safe, from windows and higher ground, and from the rooms below where we can reach them. Fragile rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on. Where any area cannot be viewed safely, we say so in the report, so you know exactly what was covered. We survey mastic asphalt, single-ply membranes and EPDM rubber, and the problems we are asked to look at most are cracked or split membrane and blisters and bubbles in the covering.
Older buildings in small places like Forstal may be listed or in a conservation area, which can shape what a new flat roof may look like. If you are planning work, check with the council first. Knowing the roof’s condition is the starting point. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Forstal (ME20)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Should I look at the roof myself first?
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. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
It helps to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry.
For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents frequently book on a landlord’s behalf. Access is agreed with the tenant in advance.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
Honest limits
It’s useful to know what a survey won’t do before booking:
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
- What’s under the membrane without opening it up
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
- Upstands and outlets
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- Felt flat roofs
When to book a survey in Forstal
Many flat roof problems start at the details rather than the main surface. 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.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Upstands pulling away from walls
If you let a flat or house near Aylesford station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Their report turnaround times
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- What experience they bring
What happens on the day
It is useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. The visit usually takes an hour or two on an ordinary house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Rural addresses near Forstal can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We start with the address and, on larger roofs, the roof area and access.
- Inside, we look for signs of water under the roof where we can reach.
- We view the roof from safe positions and never walk 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
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Getting a price
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Common questions in Forstal
How do I find out if my home in Forstal is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you cover smaller places like Forstal?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
How many surveys have you done?
We have completed more than 5,000 surveys, over more than 20 years, with 98% customer satisfaction.
Do you go up onto the roof?
Only where it’s safe to do so. If not, we use safe viewpoints and look inside, and the report says if any part couldn’t be seen. We do not walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.
Can you tell me how long my flat roof will last?
A precise figure isn’t something we give, because it depends on upkeep, weather and how the roof was laid. We describe the condition and say which work is urgent and which can wait.
Can you survey in bad weather?
It can, depending on the survey. Drones can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. We’ll rearrange with you if the weather isn’t right.
Do you use drones?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
Roof by roof
Felt and built-up roofs
A felt roof frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, though quality and upkeep make a big difference. Our report sets out its condition and the areas most at risk.
Mastic asphalt
Asphalt has no laps, so its weak points are cracks and the skirtings at walls and upstands. Our report notes crazing, cracks and any likely entry points.
Other services in Forstal
What a flat roof survey looks like in Forstal
The wider area around Forstal has a long history of building, with Starkey Castle about 4.4 miles north. 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. Handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles hung on pegs through two holes, are typical of older Kent buildings. You’ll also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Next to the main roofs there’s typically a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
Take an older house close to Methodist Church Including Sunday School: the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof. If you look after a building such as St Peter's Church of England Primary School, schools and public buildings often have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks.
Forstal is about 3 miles north-west of Maidstone, in Kent. Forstal is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. Across Kent, we cover Forstal and the places around it.
Every address in ME20 is within our area for flat roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. That includes homes and businesses on Beddow Way and Forstal Road. We also cover the places around Forstal: Pratling Street (1 mile north-east), Eccles (1 mile north-west), New Hythe (2 miles west), Burham (2 miles north) and Larkfield (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Maidstone (3 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (11 miles east), Dartford (15 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (13 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (15 miles south-west) and Gravesend (10 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Forstal
In Forstal, that means homes and buildings near Aylesford School, The Bush pub and Tyland Barn and the streets around them. The closest station to Forstal is Aylesford station, roughly 1.2 miles west. A little further out are Medway megaliths (1 mile north) and Maidstone Hospital (2 miles south). For a walk, there is Boxley Hills and Burham Down.