Reading · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Gallowstree Common
Not sure what state the flat roof is in? We carry out flat roof surveys in Gallowstree Common and across Reading.
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
Flat roof survey in Gallowstree Common: what you get
A flat roof leak frequently 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’s why we check every detail across the roof, not only the area above the stain, and photograph anything that could let water in. Whoever carries out the work then has a clear starting point. Typical surveys look at leaks around rooflights and outlets that hold water back, across EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and upstands and outlets.
In a village or hamlet like Gallowstree Common, flat roofs are normally on extensions, garages, outbuildings or barn conversions. They need the same care as any town roof: the covering, the edges, the upstands and where water drains away. The journey and access are planned beforehand. Garages and outbuildings are easy to forget, so mention any you want included when you book.
The report does not just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Location
- Gallowstree Common (RG4)
- Region
- Reading
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
FAQs for Gallowstree Common
Do you carry out roof surveys in Gallowstree Common?
Yes, Gallowstree Common is within the area we cover. We work right across London and South East England. Just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the property, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Do you cover smaller places like Gallowstree Common?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
Does the survey cover 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.
What insurance do you have?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes. Photos are taken throughout the survey, and the report uses them to show each finding alongside our recommendations.
What happens next?
The report arrives by email, with photographs and clear recommendations. With Standard there is a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation.
Should I worry about standing water on my flat roof?
Standing water a day or two after rain typically needs attention. It could be the outlets, the falls or a deflecting deck. We check each of these and record what we find.
What we do, step by step
We look at the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there is safe access, from inside the roof space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. All in, the survey usually takes between one and two hours at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Rural addresses near Gallowstree Common can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- We check the roof from the ground, windows and the roof where it’s safe.
- The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
- We photograph and record the outlets, upstands, trims and rooflights.
- The report, with photos and recommendations, comes to you by email.
How to prepare
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
How to book
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
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Rented homes, blocks and businesses
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, and the report can go to both. Access is agreed with the tenant ahead of time.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Gallowstree Common and across Reading can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Flat roofs in Gallowstree Common
Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Next to the main roofs there’s usually a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit. About 2.6 miles south-west lies Mapledurham House, a reminder of how long the area around Gallowstree Common has been built on. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Take an older house close to Church of St John the Baptist: any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof. For landlords with property near Tilehurst station, a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak.
Gallowstree Common is about 3 miles north-west of Caversham, in Reading. We cover Gallowstree Common and the rest of Reading, as part of our work across London and South East England. Gallowstree Common is one of the towns and villages in Reading where we work for flat roof surveys.
We survey roofs across RG4 for flat roof surveys. You will find streets such as Reades Lane, Hearns Lane and Horsepond Road, and we cover them all. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Cane End (1 mile south-west), Hook End (2 miles north-west), Stoke Row (2 miles north), Checkendon (3 miles north-west) and Woodcote (3 miles west). We also work in nearby towns such as Caversham (3 miles south-east), Norcot (4 miles south), West Reading (4 miles south), Tilehurst Within (4 miles south), Shinfield (8 miles south) and Arborfield Garrison (10 miles south-east).
Landmarks near Gallowstree Common
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Reformation pub, Kidmore End Church of England Primary School and The Warwick School and the streets around them. Gallowstree Common’s nearest station is Tilehurst station, roughly 3.3 miles south. Nearby you’ll also find Battle Hospital (4.1 miles south). Open spaces near Gallowstree Common include Hartslock.
Before and after the survey
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Check ceilings under the roof for damp patches
- Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
- Ask whoever fits equipment on the roof to make good the covering
- Look for standing water a day after rain
Many people send the report to two or three roofers for quotes. With each roofer working from the same list, comparing quotes is simpler. It is your choice who carries out the work and when.
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 remind them never to step on rooflights or fragile sheets.
What we look for on each type of roof
EPDM rubber
EPDM often lasts 30 to 50 years, but it relies on its seams, trims and upstands being well finished. Those details are where we focus.
Felt and built-up roofs
Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, depending on how they were laid and looked after. We record how yours is doing and where it’s weakest.
Nearby places to Gallowstree Common
Other services in Gallowstree Common
Why get it checked now?
A survey can show whether a whole new roof is needed or whether the problems are in a few places. Sometimes a few details are to blame, and sometimes the covering has simply had its day. The report sets out what we found, so you can make that decision with a roofer. Matching old materials, like handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. That is one more reason to find defects before they become urgent.
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both inc. VAT. We confirm the exact price before booking.
What you get with us
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Package prices that include VAT
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
Read how roof surveys are priced and what we found on two real jobs.
When you need someone else
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Areas we cannot see or reach safely, including fragile rooflights and sheeting
- An exact number of years the roof has left
- What’s under the membrane without opening it up
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Single-ply membranes
- EPDM rubber
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- Mastic asphalt
- Felt flat roofs