Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Merstone, Isle of Wight
Wondering about the flat roof at a property in Merstone? We carry out flat roof surveys in Merstone and across the Isle of Wight, with plain-English findings.
- Water getting in at rooflights
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Cracked or split membrane
About our flat roof survey in Merstone
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. We check the surface, the falls, the upstands and the edge trims, and we look for signs that water has reached the deck. That way, defects are found before they reach the room below. Typical surveys look at raised blisters across the surface and failed seals around rooflight kerbs, on upstands and outlets, mastic asphalt and felt flat roofs.
Somewhere as small as Merstone, flat roofs tend to be on extensions, garages and converted outbuildings. The checks are the same as anywhere: the covering, the edges, the upstands and where water drains away. The journey and access are planned beforehand. If there are outbuildings or garages with flat roofs, mention them as you book.
If any part of the flat roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Location
- Merstone (PO30)
- Region
- Isle of Wight
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. The inspection then takes roughly 1–2 hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Somewhere as small as Merstone, access is often the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- First you give us the address, what the roof covers and any leaks you’ve noticed.
- We view the roof from the ground, from windows and from the roof where it is safe to do so.
- Every part of the roof we can see is checked: covering, falls, upstands, outlets, trims and rooflights.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where we can reach them.
- The findings are written up with photographs and recommendations and emailed to you.
Before we arrive
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
Getting a price
If you’re buying, it’s useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. For any other survey, just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email when you’re ready.
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What affects the price in Merstone
Not every roof costs the same to survey, for these reasons:
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
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.
What we need to know
We will usually ask about:
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Dates you’re working to, like exchange
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.
How the survey changes by roof type
Single-ply membranes
Plant, fixings and foot traffic can all damage a single-ply roof. We note any punctures, tears and loose areas we can see.
Rooflights and upstands
Upstands at walls and parapets need to stay watertight as the building moves. We look for splits, gaps and failed flashings over the top.
Flat roofs in Merstone
Merstone lies within about 5 miles of the sea, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Coastal wind works at the edges of flat roofs, and salt air wears metal trims and fixings. Historic houses such as Arreton Manor, about 1.1 miles north, show how far back building in the area around Merstone goes. 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.
For landlords with property near Shanklin station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Merstone is about 3 miles south-east of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. We cover Merstone and the rest of the Isle of Wight. Merstone is one of the places in the Isle of Wight where we work for flat roof surveys. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
All of PO30 is covered for flat roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Streets in the area include Merstone Lane, Chapel Lane and Newlands, and we cover them all. If you’re just outside Merstone, we cover Arreton (1 mile north-east), Rookley (1 mile south-west), Hale Common (1 mile south-east), Rookley Green (1 mile south-west) and Blackwater (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Newport (3 miles north-west), Ryde (6 miles north-east), Cowes (7 miles north), Sandown (4 miles east), Shanklin (4 miles south-east) and Ventnor (5 miles south-east). For harder-to-reach addresses, the survey takes a little more planning.
What’s near Merstone
Merstone’s nearest station is Shanklin station, about 3.8 miles south-east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Whitecroft Hospital (2.2 miles west) and Carisbrooke Castle (3.1 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Stenbury Down and Alverstone Mead.
Tips from our surveys
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Check from a window for ponding after heavy rain
- Check the outlets after the leaves fall
- Treat rooflights and old sheeting as fragile
- Plan a survey before the covering reaches the end of its usual life
Many people send the report to two or three roofers for quotes. Because everyone is pricing the same findings, the quotes are easier to compare. It is your choice who carries out the work and when.
Small defects are simpler to deal with while they’re still small. A flat roof that is looked after between surveys typically lasts longer.
For landlords and managing agents
We survey roofs for landlords and agents as well as homeowners. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the flat roof, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the addresses.
What this survey cannot tell you
Some things can’t be seen without opening up the roof, so a survey has limits:
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- Whether old sheeting or boards contain asbestos
- A promise that the roof won’t leak in future
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Merstone
- Single-ply membranes
- Upstands and outlets
- EPDM rubber
- Felt flat roofs
- GRP fibreglass
- Mastic asphalt
FAQs for Merstone
Do you cover smaller places like Merstone?
Yes. Merstone 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 when booking.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Merstone?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Does the survey cover asbestos?
Asbestos testing isn’t part of our survey. Where a roof has materials that might contain asbestos, such as old cement sheeting, the report flags them and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor.
What happens next?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. It is yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
What’s in the report?
A report with photos, covering the condition of the flat roof, the defects we found and what we recommend, by urgency where it matters. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check, and the Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies and structural analysis.
Is a flat roof survey the same as a building survey?
No. It’s a closer look at the flat roof, not a survey of the whole property. It works alongside a RICS home survey, not instead of one, and it isn’t a structural engineer’s report.
What types of flat roof do you survey?
We survey felt and built-up roofs, mastic asphalt, EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and single-ply PVC and TPO. Not sure what yours is? We will tell you in the report.