Portsmouth · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Portsmouth
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Portsmouth. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
- Blocked or damaged outlets
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
What we cannot see
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- Fragile surfaces, which we don’t walk on
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or email us and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Felt flat roofs
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- Single-ply membranes
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
Flat roof survey in Portsmouth
A flat roof survey looks at the covering, the edges, the outlets and the details where the roof meets walls and rooflights. We cover felt, mastic asphalt, EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and single-ply roofs. It suits a small roof over an extension or garage as well as a large one over flats, offices or units. The findings go into a written report with photos, setting out the defects and what we’d recommend. We are often asked to look into blocked or damaged outlets and signs of deflection in the roof deck, on GRP fibreglass, EPDM rubber and mastic asphalt.
Business premises in a place the size of Portsmouth often sit under big flat or low-pitched roofs. Across a large area, the point where water gets in is rarely obvious. Moisture readings, and electronic leak detection where the membrane suits it, help narrow it down. Membranes normally fail at outlets, upstands and laps, so those get a proper look.
The written findings come by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Place
- Portsmouth (PO6, PO4, PO1, PO2)
- Wider area
- Portsmouth
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Flat roof surveys around Portsmouth
Portsmouth lies within about 1 mile of the sea, so there is more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Salt in the air is hard on metal flashings and fixings, and wind catches any loose edge on a flat roof. Some Hampshire villages still have thatched roofs. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. Flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages and business units are found alongside them almost everywhere.
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Manor Infant School, large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly. For an older house near a landmark like St Wilfrid, the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems typically start.
Portsmouth is in England. In Portsmouth, every roof gets the same careful survey. We cover towns and villages across the surrounding area, large and small.
Every address in PO6, PO4, PO1 and PO2 is within our area for flat roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Streets in the area include Church Road, April Square and Rudmore Square. Portsmouth sits on or near the A3 and A27, which makes travel easy. We also cover the places around Portsmouth: Rudmore (1 mile north-west), Landport (1 mile south-west), North End (1 mile north), Fratton (1 mile south-east) and Kingston (1 mile south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Wymering (3 miles north), Paulsgrove (3 miles north), Drayton (3 miles north-east) and Farlington (3 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Portsmouth
We work in homes and buildings around The Portsmouth Academy, Alexandra Park and St Edmund's Catholic School. Portsmouth’s nearest station is Fratton station, about 0.9 miles south of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Royal Portsmouth Hospital (0.7 miles south-west) and Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum (within half a mile west). Not far away are Milton Locks and Portsdown Hill.
Checking the roof from ground level
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Portsmouth
Letting agents and landlords in Portsmouth book surveys as well as householders. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the flat roof, useful for planning maintenance.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, including offices, shops and units. Bigger roofs take more time.
How the survey works
The aim of the visit is simple: to see as much of the flat roof as can safely be seen and record it clearly. Notes and photographs go into the written report. It usually takes between one and two hours for most houses, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. If the property is near the centre of Portsmouth, let us know about car parks or permit rules nearby. Inside, the loft and any room with a stain are the places we will want to see. Outside, the roof is viewed from every point that is safe.
- 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.
- We record every defect with a photo and its likely cause.
- You get a report setting out the condition and our recommendations, in order of urgency.
Getting ready for the survey
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Leave side gates unlocked
Booking a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will explain the options and the price.
Read more
Signs you need a flat roof survey in Portsmouth
Water that doesn’t drain sits on the roof and speeds up wear. It normally comes from poor falls, a blocked outlet or a deck that has dipped. Where trees are close by, leaves and silt can block an outlet within a single autumn.
We’re frequently asked to look at:
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Ponding water that does not drain away
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
Landlords with a home close to Fratton station may find that the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Whether VAT is added on top
- What exactly goes into their report
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
What else we do in Portsmouth
What affects the cost of flat roof surveys
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- How big the roof is
- Which survey package you book
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Height and safe access
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 inc. VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you want to find out.
What to tell us when you get in touch
Before you get in touch, it helps to have:
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- What made you get in touch
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply phone 07833 053749 or send us an email whenever suits you.
Portsmouth questions
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Portsmouth?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, while strong wind lifts anything already loose.
Do you look at commercial flat roofs near Portsmouth, such as hotels?
Yes, commercial flat roofs are part of what we cover. For a bigger roof, you will get a quote based on the building.
When does the report arrive?
That depends on the survey you book: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. Reports are sent by email.
What’s in the report?
You get our findings in writing, part by part, with photos, and ends with what we recommend. Points are put in order of urgency where relevant.
How many surveys have you done?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach, and the report makes that clear.
Do you look in the loft space?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there’s safe access. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement.