Reading · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Play Hatch
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings for Play Hatch and the rest of Reading. Surveys run on any day of the week.
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Standing water left after rain
Before and after the survey
There’s plenty you can do without going near the roof. What helps most:
- Note any new marks on ceilings beneath the roof
- Book a survey every few years
- Ask contractors to protect the roof if they work on it
- Never stand on rooflights or fragile sheeting
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.
Keep foot traffic on a flat roof to a minimum. If access is needed, boards or walkways help protect the covering, and to keep well clear of rooflights and fragile sheeting.
Flat roof survey in Play Hatch
Standing water is one of the first things we look for on a flat roof. It can point to poor falls, a blocked outlet or a deck that is deflecting. We record where water sits, check the outlets and look for dips that suggest deflection. Where the deck may be a structural issue, our report says a structural engineer should look at it. If you’ve noticed failed seals around rooflight kerbs and damaged trims at the roof edge, we can find out what’s behind it.
Some older homes in villages like Play Hatch are listed or in a conservation area, which can shape what a new flat roof may look like. If you are planning work, check with the council first. Knowing the roof’s condition is the starting point. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent.
- Place
- Play Hatch (RG4)
- Wider area
- Reading
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
We’ll ask a few questions first, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes about one to two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Older rural homes like those around Play Hatch can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- We start with the address and, on larger roofs, the roof area and access.
- 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.
- Each defect is photographed and its likely cause noted.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
How to prepare
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
Book a survey
For a price for flat roof surveys in Play Hatch, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us give you an accurate price.
Read more
Honest limits
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- What’s under the membrane without opening it up
- A promise that the roof won’t leak in future
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
- Felt flat roofs
- Mastic asphalt
Play Hatch: your questions answered
Is Play Hatch within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We survey roofs across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Play Hatch?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
There’s 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.
Will I get photos?
Yes, plenty. Pictures sit next to the findings they show, which makes the report easy to follow.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We look at the parts we’re given access to.
What does a roof survey cost?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. You will 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, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
Different roofs, different checks
Mastic asphalt
Asphalt has no laps, so its weak points are cracks and the skirtings at walls and upstands. We record any crazing or splits and where water may be getting in.
EPDM rubber
Lifting at the edges and loose areas of membrane are common EPDM problems. Any we find are noted and photographed.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
How we price flat roof surveys
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. That comes down to:
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where applicable, from £400 with VAT included. We can help you choose the package that fits what you need to know.
What to tell us when you get in touch
Getting the details right at the start saves time. Please include:
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- What’s prompted the survey
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Places near Play Hatch
Also in Play Hatch
Flat roof surveys in Play Hatch: local notes
With Mapledurham House about 4.4 miles west, Play Hatch sits in an area with a long building history. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Flat roofs fill the gaps in between, on extensions, garages, dormers and business premises.
Anyone responsible for a site like St Martin's Catholic Primary School will know that schools and public buildings often have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks. Take an older house close to St Andrew's Church: later flat-roofed additions are common on older houses, and their edges and upstands often show the first signs of wear. If you own a rental within reach of Reading station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Play Hatch is about 1 mile east of Caversham, in Reading. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Play Hatch can all book flat roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. Play Hatch is one of the towns and villages in Reading we cover for flat roof surveys.
Every address in RG4 is covered for flat roof surveys. We offer flat roof surveys to properties on Dene Close, Henley Road and Foxhill Lane and the roads around them. Other places close to Play Hatch include Dunsden Green (1 mile north), Caversham Park Village (1 mile west), Littlestead Green (1 mile north-west), Emmer Green (1 mile west) and Sonning (1 mile south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Norcot (4 miles west), West Reading (3 miles south-west), Tilehurst Within (5 miles west), Shinfield (5 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south) and Horncastle (5 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Play Hatch
We work in homes and buildings around Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre, Reading Blue Coat School and The Shoulder of Mutton pub, among other places. Play Hatch’s nearest station is Reading station, roughly 2.2 miles south-west of the centre. A little further out are The Oracle (2.4 miles south-west) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.3 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Alder Moors and South Lake.