Kent · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Old Hawkinge
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings for Old Hawkinge, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photos.
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Pools of water lying on the roof
How a flat roof survey works in Old Hawkinge
Each type of flat roof has its own weak points. Built-up felt tends to blister and crack, asphalt crazes and splits, EPDM can lift at its laps, and GRP can crack at board joints and edge trims. On PVC and TPO single-ply roofs, we look closely at the welded laps, edges and fixings. Once you know the covering and its condition, planning the next step is far easier. We survey mastic asphalt, EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are blistering in felt or asphalt and pools of water lying on the roof.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Old Hawkinge take more wind and rain, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. Older felt roofs, frequently around 15–20 years in life, show it first. EPDM rubber and GRP coverings last longer, but their edges and joints still need checking. Exposed edges are typically the first part of a flat roof to go.
It is not only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend.
- Place
- Old Hawkinge (CT18)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
The aim of the visit is simple: to look at the flat roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. The visit typically takes about one to two hours at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Older roofs in small places like Old Hawkinge can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- First you give us the address, what the roof covers and any leaks you’ve noticed.
- The roof is inspected from safe viewpoints, and from the roof itself where that is safe.
- Every part of the roof we can see is checked: covering, falls, upstands, outlets, trims and rooflights.
- Where there is safe access, we check the ceilings and spaces below for signs of water.
- The findings are written up with photos and recommendations and emailed to you.
Getting ready for the survey
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Book a survey
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Advice
Questions from Old Hawkinge
How do I find out if my home in Old Hawkinge 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.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Old Hawkinge?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there is more wind, and more salt in the air. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it typically shows, and Old Hawkinge is within about 2 miles of the coast.
Which flat roof coverings do you cover?
Felt, mastic asphalt, EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and single-ply membranes are all part of the work. The report names the covering and explains its condition.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is frequently shared, so the freeholder or managing agent needs to agree access. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
Do you cover flat roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. Offices, units, shops and blocks of flats are all part of our work. Larger commercial roofs are quoted for their size and access, so please call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.
Is ponding on a flat roof a problem?
Water that lies on a flat roof for days is a sign that something needs attention. The cause may be the outlets, the falls or the deck. We check each of these and record what we find.
How soon will I get the report?
That depends on the survey you book: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day. Reports are sent by email.
Tips that help
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Our tips:
- Keep clear of rooflights and fragile roof sheets
- File the paperwork for the roof and any repairs
- Look for standing water a day after rain
- Watch the ceilings below the flat roof for stains
After the visit, we write up the report with photos of what we found. It explains the covering, its condition and every defect, and what we recommend. Turnaround is within 48 hours for a Basic Survey, 24 to 48 hours for a Standard Survey and the same day for a Premium Survey.
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 to keep well clear of rooflights and fragile sheeting.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Let us know about it when you book and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Old Hawkinge and across Kent can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Different roofs, different checks
EPDM rubber
Lifting at the edges and loose areas of membrane are common EPDM problems. Any we find are noted and photographed.
Single-ply membranes
Single-ply membranes can be damaged by foot traffic and equipment on the roof. We note any punctures, tears and loose areas we can see.
More services for Old Hawkinge
What we’re asked to look at in Old Hawkinge
Flat roofs frequently get walked on for other jobs: cleaning windows, fitting aerials or air conditioning, or clearing gutters. Each visit can damage a covering not made for regular foot traffic. New brackets and fixings through the roof are another common source of leaks.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Standing water left after rain
- Cracked or split membrane
Anyone responsible for a site like Hawkinge Primary School will know that schools and public buildings often have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks.
Questions to ask before booking
- What exactly goes into their report
- Are they insured for the work?
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Which limits apply to the survey
Flat roof surveys around Old Hawkinge
Old Hawkinge lies within about 2 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. Across Kent, older roofs are often handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. You’ll also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are lots of flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops.
Historic houses such as Acrise Place, about 2.7 miles north-west, show how far back building around Old Hawkinge goes. If your home is older, its flat-roofed extension or dormer may be on its second or third covering. Landlords with a home close to Folkestone Central station may find that a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak.
Old Hawkinge is about 1 mile east of Hawkinge, in Kent. Whether the building in Old Hawkinge is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. Across Kent, we cover Old Hawkinge. There is also a page for Canterbury.
Every address in CT18 is covered for flat roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Whether your property is on Standen Lane and Church Hill or a nearby road, we can help. Close by, we survey roofs in Hawkinge (1 mile west), Densole (2 miles north-west), Swingfield Minnis (2 miles north), Arpinge (2 miles west) and Selsted (3 miles north). We also work in nearby towns such as Ashford (14 miles west), Canterbury (12 miles north), Dover (5 miles east), Deal (11 miles north-east), Hythe (5 miles south-west) and Tower Hamlets (5 miles east).
Near you in Old Hawkinge
Typical jobs here are in homes near East Cliff and Warren Country Park and White Horse pub, among other places. The closest station to Old Hawkinge is Folkestone Central station, roughly 2.3 miles south of the centre. A little further out are Folkestone Castle (1.6 miles south-west) and Royal Victoria Hospital (2.1 miles south). For a walk, there is Sugar Loaf Hill.
Honest limits
To be straight with you, there are limits to any roof survey:
- A structural engineer’s assessment of the deck
- Fragile surfaces, which we do not walk on
- A promise that the roof will not leak in future
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will point you to the right survey before you book. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- EPDM rubber
- Felt flat roofs
- Single-ply membranes
- Mastic asphalt