Greater London · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Hackney Marshes
Independent flat roof surveys in Hackney Marshes. We have completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
About our flat roof survey in Hackney Marshes
Standing water is one of the first things we look for on a flat roof. It can mean the falls were never right, an outlet is blocked or the deck has started to sag. We record where water sits, check the outlets and look for dips that suggest deflection. Where the deck may be a structural issue, our report says a structural engineer should look at it. Typical surveys look at failed upstands where the roof meets a wall and splits, cracks and crazing, on mastic asphalt, felt flat roofs and EPDM rubber.
Across London, flat roofs are everywhere, from back additions and dormers to roof terraces, blocks of flats and offices. They’re covered in felt, asphalt, EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass or single-ply membranes, and each fails in its own way. In Hackney Marshes, as anywhere in London, the right approach depends on what the roof is made of. Older flat roofs are often felt or asphalt, newer ones rubber or GRP.
We write the report in plain English, so you do not need to be a roofer to follow it. Photos show what each point refers to, with the urgent items made clear.
- Place
- Hackney Marshes (E5, E10, E9)
- Wider area
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Different roofs, different checks
Felt and built-up roofs
Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, depending on how they were laid and looked after. Our report sets out its condition and the areas most at risk.
Rooflights and upstands
We do not walk on rooflights or fragile sheeting, and we treat older rooflights as fragile. We view them from safe positions and photograph what we see.
Towns and villages near Hackney Marshes
More services for Hackney Marshes
Can I check my roof myself?
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Hackney Marshes
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out by urgency where it matters.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. Access is agreed with the tenant in advance.
Flat and commercial roofs around Hackney Marshes
Within a mile and a half or so of Hackney Marshes there are several hotels. For hotels and other commercial buildings, finding the cause of a flat roof leak quickly keeps rooms in use. The wider area around Hackney Marshes has a long history of building, with Sutton House about 1.1 miles south-west. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near The Risen Christ and All Souls, later flat-roofed additions are common on older houses, and their edges and upstands often show the first signs of wear. Landlords with a home close to Lea Bridge station may find that a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak. Take a building like Kingsmead Primary School: large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
Hackney Marshes is about 1 mile north-east of Homerton, in Greater London. We carry out flat roof surveys for householders, landlords and businesses in Hackney Marshes and nearby. Hackney Marshes is one of the towns and villages in Greater London where we work.
Flat roof surveys in E5, E10 and E9 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on Glyn Road, Gilpin Road and Redwald Road or a nearby road, we can help. Hackney Marshes sits on or near the A106. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Leyton Grange (1 mile north-east), Lea Bridge (1 mile north-west), Homerton (1 mile south-west), Lower Clapton (1 mile south-west) and Temple Mills (1 mile south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover London (5 miles south-west), City of Westminster (6 miles south-west), Marylebone (6 miles south-west), Kensington (8 miles south-west), St Pancras (4 miles south-west) and Shoreditch (3 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Hackney Marshes
Around Hackney Marshes, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Leyton Jubilee Park, Lammas School and Sixth Form and The Adam & Eve pub, among other places. The closest station to Hackney Marshes is Lea Bridge station, about 0.7 miles north-west. Well-known places in the area include Tower of London (3.9 miles south-west) and V&A East (1.3 miles south-east). Not far away are Old Ford Island and Tower Hill.
The survey, step by step
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof; as a rough guide, the survey takes about one to two hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Many London properties are flats or terraces with no side access, so rear slopes are viewed from windows, the loft or, where a flight is allowed, by drone. Mention any building rules, key holders or managing agents as you book.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Keep pets in another room
Booking a survey
Every survey is priced before it is booked, so you know where you stand. Prices start from £150, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
What this survey cannot tell you
It helps to know what a survey won’t do before booking:
- An exact number of years the roof has left
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- What’s under the membrane without opening it up
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you before you book. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
- Single-ply membranes
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
Why get it checked now?
Standing water on a flat roof rarely sorts itself out. Most often it means blocked outlets, poor falls or a deck that is dipping, and each wet season wears the covering further. Finding the cause now keeps more options open. Blocked gutters and hoppers on London houses overflow and soak brickwork. A blocked outlet ignored for a winter or two can mean damp walls inside.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the size and height of the roof, access and which survey you book.
Why book with us
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- An independent look at the roof
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
Read what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Hackney Marshes questions
Is parking a problem for a survey in Hackney Marshes?
In much of London, parking needs planning: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day run more smoothly, so mention what’s available when booking.
Do you cover commercial flat roofs around Hackney Marshes?
Yes, commercial buildings, hotels included, are part of the work. Access to the roof is sorted out with whoever manages the building before the day.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drones can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. We’ll rearrange with you if the weather is not right.
How long will you be at the property?
It normally takes roughly 1–2 hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. You’ll then get the report by email.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day, which suits people who work during the week. Let us know your preferred days when you book.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only when it’s safe. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where it applies let us see the rest.