Kent · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Ryarsh
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings across Ryarsh, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Get in touch for a price.
- Blocked or damaged outlets
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Water getting in at rooflights
What a flat roof survey looks like in Ryarsh
Ryarsh has a number of hotels within about a mile and a half. If you look after one, a leak through a flat roof can put a room out of use. Historic houses such as Starkey Castle, about 4.6 miles north-east, show how far back building in the area around Ryarsh goes. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Ryarsh Primary School, large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly. For landlords with property near West Malling station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Ryarsh is about 7 miles north-west of Maidstone, in Kent. We cover Ryarsh and the rest of Kent, as part of our work across London and the South East. Our area takes in places right across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Maidstone.
Every address in ME19 is within our area for flat roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Streets in the area include The Street, Old School Lane and Brick Gardens, all of which we cover. Nearby, we also carry out flat roof surveys in Addington (1 mile south-west), Trottiscliffe (2 miles west), Vigo Village (2 miles north-west), Harvel (3 miles north-west) and Culverstone Green (3 miles north-west). Further out, we also cover Maidstone (7 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (15 miles east), Dartford (12 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (9 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (13 miles south-west) and Gravesend (8 miles north).
Local landmarks in Ryarsh
In Ryarsh, that means homes and buildings near Leybourne Lakes Country Park, The Holmesdale School and The Duke Of Wellington Public House and the streets around them. Ryarsh’s nearest station is West Malling station, about 1.7 miles south-east. Well-known places in the area include Maidstone Hospital (4.7 miles south-east) and Coldrum Long Barrow (1.1 miles north-west). Open spaces near Ryarsh include Blue Bell Hill and Burham Down.
How a flat roof survey works in Ryarsh
Each flat roof is looked at from the safest viewpoints we have: on the roof where it’s safe, from windows and higher ground, and from the rooms below where we can reach them. We don’t walk on fragile rooflights or fragile roof sheeting. If part of the roof cannot be seen or reached safely, the report says so, so you know exactly what was covered. Common reasons to book are failed upstands where the roof meets a wall and blistering in felt or asphalt, on single-ply membranes, upstands and outlets and EPDM rubber.
Some older homes in villages like Ryarsh are listed or in a conservation area, which can shape what a new flat roof may look like. Check with the council before planning any change of material. 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 records the flat roof as we found it on the day. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, such as when you want to compare after future work.
- Where
- Ryarsh (ME19)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we are asked to look at in Ryarsh
Flat roofs swing between hot and cold more than most parts of a building. That movement pulls at seams, laps and the joints between boards, which can open splits and cracks over the years. Coverings that have hardened with age tend to suffer most.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
Take an older house close to Church of St Martin: the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems typically start.
What to check before booking
- Will the report include photos?
- Their report turnaround times
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
What you can safely check yourself
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Places near Ryarsh
What else we do in Ryarsh
Roof by roof
Single-ply membranes
Single-ply membranes can be damaged by foot traffic and equipment on the roof. Any tears, punctures or loose membrane are recorded with photos.
Mastic asphalt
Asphalt has no laps, so its weak points are cracks and the skirtings at walls and upstands. Our report notes crazing, cracks and any likely entry points.
What this survey cannot tell you
It helps to know what a survey will not do before you book:
- Parts of the roof that aren’t safe to walk on or view
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- Testing older roof sheets for asbestos
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll recommend the right survey. What a survey covers and does not.
Roofs we survey in Ryarsh
- Felt flat roofs
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
- GRP fibreglass
- Mastic asphalt
What happens on the day
Safety comes first on every visit. We inspect whatever is safely visible, and if part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. Most visits take between one and two hours at most homes, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. In a small place like Ryarsh, access is normally the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- We check the roof from the ground, windows and the roof where it is safe.
- The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
Before the survey
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Arrange a survey
Prices start from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the details.
Related advice
Questions from Ryarsh
Do you look at commercial flat roofs near Ryarsh, such as hotels?
Yes, we cover commercial roofs as well as homes. Roof access is agreed with the building manager or owner beforehand.
Is my home in Ryarsh listed or in a conservation area?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you cover Ryarsh?
Yes. We survey roofs in Ryarsh and the rest of Kent, as part of our work across London and South East England. For a price, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not necessarily. If we only need the outside, we can agree that ahead of time, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
How long is the visit?
Most surveys take about 1–2 hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. We’ll confirm the timing when you book.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
What do I do with the report?
You’ll get the report by email, with photographs and clear recommendations. With Standard there is a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Ryarsh
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Landlords and letting agents in Ryarsh book surveys as well as homeowners. The report gives you a dated record of the flat roof, with photographs, which helps you plan work between tenancies.