Kent · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Martin, Kent
An experienced roof surveyor for flat roof surveys in Martin. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Outlets that hold water back
- Loose or cracked edge trims
- Water getting in at rooflights
What happens on the day
We photograph the roof as we go, so you can see in the report what we found and where. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes between one and two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Around Martin, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- You send us the address and, for commercial roofs, an idea of the roof’s size.
- 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.
- We record every defect with a photo and its likely cause.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
Preparing for the visit
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Let us know about parking before the day
Arrange a survey
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Advice
How a flat roof survey works in Martin
Buying a home with a flat-roofed extension, dormer or garage? It’s useful to know that roof’s condition before you exchange. Felt roofs frequently last around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM and GRP often last longer. We set out the type of covering, its condition and the defects we found, with a photo of every defect. That gives you facts to raise with the seller or agent. We survey upstands and outlets, EPDM rubber and single-ply membranes, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are blistering in felt or asphalt and a sagging deck under the covering.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Martin take more wind and rain, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Felt roofs, which often last around 15–20 years, typically show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Where
- Martin (CT15)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Mastic asphalt
Mastic asphalt is a heavy, seamless covering frequently found on older blocks, balconies and commercial roofs. The survey checks for crazing, cracking, blistering and splits where the asphalt turns up the walls.
GRP fibreglass
GRP can crack if the deck beneath flexes or if the resin was laid too thin. We record any cracking and any signs of the deck moving.
What a flat roof survey does not cover
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- Whether old sheeting or boards contain asbestos
- Areas we can’t see or reach safely, including fragile rooflights and sheeting
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll suggest the right survey before booking. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Single-ply membranes
- Felt flat roofs
- Mastic asphalt
- Upstands and outlets
- EPDM rubber
- GRP fibreglass
Martin questions
Do you cover smaller places like Martin?
Yes. Martin is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
How do I find out if my home in Martin is listed?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
What happens after the survey?
The report comes by email, and what you do next is up to you: use it with a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent.
Can you survey a flat roof on an office or unit?
Yes. Commercial and residential flat roofs are both covered. Expect about 3 to 4 hours on site for most commercial roofs, with larger roofs quoted on their size.
Is ponding on a flat roof a problem?
Ponding is worth looking into. It frequently 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.
What does a roof survey cost?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the price for your roof before booking, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. To get a price, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Does someone need to be in?
It depends on what we need to see. For inside areas and the loft space, someone has to give us access; we’ll agree the details when booking.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
Local flat roofs in Martin
Martin is within about 3 miles of the coast, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Wind can catch loose edges and trims on a flat roof, and salt air is hard on metal trims, flashings and fixings. Older houses across Kent often have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Next to the main roofs there’s normally a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Augustine, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof. With Walmer Castle about 3 miles north-east, the area around Martin has a long history. Older houses nearby often have flat roofs added much later, built to very different standards from the main roof.
Martin is about 3 miles north-east of Dover, in Kent. We cover Martin and the rest of Kent, as part of our work across London and South East England. Our Kent coverage includes Martin and the places around it. Canterbury is in our area too.
We survey roofs across the CT15 postcode area for flat roof surveys. That includes homes and businesses on The Street, Waterworks Lane and Ringwould Road. Other places close to Martin include Martin Mill (1 mile south-east), East Langdon (1 mile south-west), West Langdon (1 mile west), Ringwould (1 mile north-east) and Sutton (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (13 miles north-west), Margate (14 miles north), Dover (3 miles south-west), Folkestone (10 miles south-west), Ramsgate (12 miles north) and Broadstairs (13 miles north).
Landmarks near Martin
Around Martin, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Lantern Inn and Duke of York's Royal Military School and the streets around them. There is a railway station in Martin itself: Martin Mill station. A little further out are Royal Victoria Hospital (3.6 miles south-west) and St Margaret's Museum (2.5 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Dover Western Heights.
Signs you need a flat roof survey in Martin
Ponding keeps the covering wet and wears it faster. It normally comes from poor falls, a blocked outlet or a deck that has dipped. Leaves and silt from nearby trees can soon choke an outlet.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Standing water left after rain
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
For landlords with property near Martin Mill station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Before you book anyone
- Which limits apply to the survey
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- What experience they bring
Tips from our surveys
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Book a survey every few years
- Note the date and type of any roof work
- Clear roof outlets and gutters each autumn
- Check ceilings under the roof for damp patches
Buyers can take the findings back to the seller or the agent. You might ask for work to be done before completion, or discuss the price, depending on what we found.
Check the roof from a window after a downpour. If water is still there a day or two later, have it checked.