West Berkshire · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Inkpen Common
Wondering about the flat roof at a property in Inkpen Common? You can book a flat roof survey in Inkpen Common and across West Berkshire, with plain-English findings.
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
- Blocked or damaged outlets
How a flat roof survey works in Inkpen Common
Flat roofs deal with rain in a very different way from pitched ones. Water lies on the surface for longer, so a small split or a blocked outlet can soon lead to a leak. The surface, the falls, the upstands and the trims are all looked at closely, and we look for signs that water has reached the deck. That way, defects are found before they reach the room below. Common reasons to book are leaks around rooflights and splits, cracks and crazing, on felt flat roofs, mastic asphalt and EPDM rubber.
Older buildings in small places like Inkpen Common may be listed or in a conservation area, and that can affect how an extension roof or dormer is re-covered. If you’re planning work, check with the council first. Finding out what state the roof is in gives you the facts to plan with. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
You receive the findings by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Where
- Inkpen Common (RG17, RG20)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Mastic asphalt
With age, asphalt can harden and crack with movement. The report shows where it is cracking and how far it seems to extend.
Single-ply membranes
Single-ply membranes can be damaged by foot traffic and equipment on the roof. Any tears, punctures or loose membrane are recorded with photos.
Nearby places to Inkpen Common
Other services in Inkpen Common
Practical tips
You don’t need to be a roofer to help. Here’s what helps most:
- File the paperwork for the roof and any repairs
- Check the outlets after the leaves fall
- Keep people off the roof unless they need to be there
- Treat rooflights and old sheeting as fragile
If you’re 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 the findings.
Book a survey every few years, and again after new fixings, units or rooflights go in. You’ll spot changes early and have a record to look back on.
Checking the roof from ground level
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Water spilling over the edge can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
What a flat roof survey looks like in Inkpen Common
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 2.7 miles south-east lies Stargroves, a reminder of how long the area around Inkpen Common has been built on. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs.
Take a building like Inkpen Primary School: schools and public buildings often have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks. If you own a rental within reach of Kintbury station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Inkpen Common is about 6 miles west of Newbury, in West Berkshire. We carry out flat roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Inkpen Common. Inkpen Common is one of the towns and villages in West Berkshire where we work for flat roof surveys. You can also see our page for Reading.
Every address in RG17 and RG20 is within our area for flat roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. That includes homes and businesses on Heads Lane, Rooksnest Lane and The Firs and the roads around them. We also cover the places around Inkpen Common: Hell Corner (1 mile east), Inkpen (1 mile north-west), Upper Green (1 mile south-west), Lower Green (1 mile west) and Kintbury (2 miles north). Further out, we also cover Newbury (6 miles east), Thatcham (9 miles east), Speenhamland (6 miles east), Hungerford (4 miles north-west), Lambourn (10 miles north) and Shaw (7 miles east).
Landmarks near Inkpen Common
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Crown and Garter pub. For rail, the closest station is Kintbury station, about 2 miles north. Other landmarks nearby include Hamstead Marshall 3 (3.1 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Kintbury Newt Ponds and Inkpen Hill.
When you need someone else
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Felt flat roofs
- GRP fibreglass
- Single-ply membranes
- Upstands and outlets
- Mastic asphalt
- EPDM rubber
Inkpen Common questions
Do you carry out roof surveys in Inkpen Common?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Inkpen Common as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
How do I find out if my home in Inkpen Common is listed?
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, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you survey commercial flat roofs?
Yes. Commercial and residential flat roofs are both covered. A commercial roof usually takes about 3 to 4 hours on site, longer if it is large or complex, with larger roofs quoted on their size.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are frequently shared, so whoever owns or manages the building needs to agree access. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
How do I arrange a flat roof survey in Inkpen Common?
The quickest way is to ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Let us know the address and a little about the roof, and we will take it from there. Surveys run seven days a week.
What does ponding on a flat roof mean?
Ponding is worth looking into. It often means a blocked outlet, poor falls or a dipping deck, and it wears the covering faster. We record where it sits and the likely cause.
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. You’ll then get the report by email, on the timescale of your package.
What we do, step by step
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you’d like to know. After that, we look at everything we can see safely, from the ground, from windows, in the roof space and by drone where it applies. Most surveys take an hour or two on an ordinary house, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Older roofs in small places like Inkpen Common can have low, tight loft spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Tell us where we can park nearby
Arrange a survey
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
Related advice
Do you need a flat roof survey in Inkpen Common?
The surface of a flat roof heats up and cools down far more than the rooms below. That movement pulls at seams, laps and the joints between boards, and in time it can open up splits and cracks. Coverings that have hardened with age tend to suffer most.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Water getting in at rooflights
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Blocked or damaged outlets
- Pools of water lying on the roof
Take an older house close to Church of St Laurence: flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Whether the roof space is looked at, where there is one
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- Their report turnaround times
- Is VAT included in the price?