Kent · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Old Wives Lees, Kent
Flat roof surveys in Old Wives Lees, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
- Cracked or split membrane
- Pools of water lying on the roof
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Old Wives Lees. To discuss a property or a block, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
How a flat roof survey works in Old Wives Lees
A flat roof doesn’t shed water the way a pitched roof does. 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 note any sign that the deck below has got wet. The aim is to find problems before they show up as a stain on a ceiling. We survey mastic asphalt, upstands and outlets and GRP fibreglass, and common reasons people get in touch are signs of deflection in the roof deck and failed seals around rooflight kerbs.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Old Wives Lees take more wind and rain, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. Felt roofs, which often last around 15–20 years, typically 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.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Place
- Old Wives Lees (CT4)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Places near Old Wives Lees
Other services in Old Wives Lees
Flat and commercial roofs around Old Wives Lees
An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent. Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. Oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of the county’s older buildings too. Next to the main roofs there is usually a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
If you own a rental within reach of Chilham station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies. Take an older house close to Church of St Mary: the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems usually start.
Old Wives Lees is about 5 miles west of Canterbury, in Kent. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Old Wives Lees can all book flat roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. Our Kent coverage includes Old Wives Lees.
All of CT4 is within our area for flat roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Streets in the area include Cherry Orchard, Cobbs Hill and Green Lane. If you’re just outside Old Wives Lees, we cover Chilham (1 mile south), Mountain Street (1 mile south), Oversland (2 miles north), Neames Forstal (2 miles north-west) and Shottenden (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (9 miles south-west), Canterbury (5 miles east), Sittingbourne (12 miles north-west), Folkestone (15 miles south-east), Whitstable (7 miles north) and Faversham (5 miles north-west).
What’s near Old Wives Lees
In Old Wives Lees, that means homes and buildings near Broadham Down and The Star Inn and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Chilham station, about 0.8 miles south-east. Other landmarks nearby include Chilham Castle (0.9 miles south-west) and Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr (5.1 miles east). For a walk, there is Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Standing water on a flat roof rarely sorts itself out. It typically points to an outlet, the falls or a sagging deck, and every wet spell adds to the wear. Finding the cause now keeps more options open. Around Old Wives Lees, older homes often have old roof timbers, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Old Wives Lees
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- 98% customer satisfaction
- Clear package prices, with VAT included
See what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Common questions in Old Wives Lees
Is Old Wives Lees in the area you cover?
Yes, Old Wives Lees is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Old Wives Lees as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Do you cover smaller places like Old Wives Lees?
Yes, Old Wives Lees is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
How experienced are you?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
Where it’s safe, the roof is inspected from the roof itself. If not, we use safe viewpoints and look inside, and we note any area we couldn’t see. We do not walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.
How much is a survey?
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT.
Can you tell me how long my flat roof will last?
There is no honest way to give an exact number of years. As a guide, felt frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM often 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30, but the report tells you how your roof is really doing.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We can only inspect what we’re given access to.
What affects the price in Old Wives Lees
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Roof area
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
To find out what your survey will cost, call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and some details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What we need to know
When you call or email, these details help:
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
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.
The survey, step by step
The visit has one job: 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. It usually takes about one to two hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Old Wives Lees often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- You tell us about the roof, its covering if you know it, and any leaks.
- We look at the roof from wherever it can be seen safely.
- The covering, falls, upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- 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
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
Arrange a survey
We survey roofs on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and the days you’d prefer.
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What we can’t see
It’s a careful look at the flat roof, not the whole story. The main limits are:
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
- A structural engineer’s assessment of the deck
- Parts of the roof that are not safe to walk on or view
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll suggest the right survey before you book. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
- Felt flat roofs
- GRP fibreglass
- Mastic asphalt
- Upstands and outlets