Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Shephall, Hertfordshire
Need a flat roof survey in Shephall? We can help, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
- Standing water left after rain
What we are asked to look at in Shephall
A flat roof lies open to sun, rain and frost, and water drains off it slowly. In time, the covering dries out, cracks and loosens at its edges and laps. Most people book a survey after a leak, before buying, or when they think the roof is getting old.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Loose or cracked edge trims
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
Take an older house close to Church of Saint Mary: any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Will the report include photos?
- What follow-up you get after the report
- What insurance they carry
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Shephall
A flat roof leak often travels before it shows on the ceiling. It can run along the deck from a split, an open lap or a failed upstand some distance away. Our survey covers the whole roof, not just the part above the mark, and photograph anything that could let water in. A roofer can then start from a clear picture of the problem. Common reasons to book are dips that suggest the deck is deflecting and damaged trims at the roof edge, across GRP fibreglass, felt flat roofs and single-ply membranes.
In smaller places like Shephall, flat roofs are mostly on extensions, garages, porches and dormers. Even a small flat roof can let lots of water into the room below. What it’s covered in, and how well it was laid, decides what it needs, from felt and asphalt to EPDM rubber and GRP. Ponding, splits and lifting edges are the signs to look for from a window.
Where we can’t see part of the flat roof, the report says so. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Where
- Shephall (SG2, SG1)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Flat and commercial roofs around Shephall
Shephall is part of Stevenage, one of the post-war new towns. Homes from the post-war decades are common in the new towns, many with low-pitched roofs in concrete tiles and flat-roofed garages or porches. Flat-roofed garages, porches and extensions from that era may have been re-covered more than once, or not at all. Historic houses such as Aston Bury, about 1.6 miles south-east, show how far back building in the area around Shephall goes. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you look after a building such as Peartree Spring Primary School, schools and public buildings frequently have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks. For landlords with property near Stevenage station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Shephall is about 1 mile south of Stevenage, in Hertfordshire. Shephall gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Shephall is one of the places in Hertfordshire we cover for flat roof surveys. Our London page covers surveys nearby.
We work across SG2 and SG1 for flat roof surveys. That includes homes and businesses on Unwin Road, Oxleys Road and Burwell Road and the roads around them. Other places close to Shephall include Aston (1 mile east), Bragbury End (1 mile south-east), Knebworth (2 miles south), Hook's Cross (2 miles south-east) and Woolmer Green (3 miles south). We also work in nearby towns like Hemel Hempstead (15 miles south-west), St Albans (12 miles south-west), Bishop's Stortford (14 miles east), Welwyn Garden City (6 miles south), Harpenden (9 miles south-west) and Hitchin (6 miles north-west).
What’s near Shephall
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Coopers Inn, The Heathcote School and Barnwell School. Shephall’s nearest station is Stevenage station, about 1.4 miles north-west of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Benington Castle (2.6 miles east) and Lister Hospital (2.7 miles north-west). Open spaces near Shephall include Ridlins Mire.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Shephall
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the addresses.
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan.
How it works
Every visit follows the same pattern: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, photograph what we find and record our findings for the written report. It typically takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, or half a day or so for a commercial building. Being in a smaller place like Shephall doesn’t change how the visit works: we look from ground level, from windows, from the loft and from the roof where it is safe. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- First we go through the roof, what’s beneath it and any problems so far.
- The roof is viewed from safe positions, including the roof itself where that is safe.
- We check the covering for splits, blisters, ponding and wear.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- The report, with photos and recommendations, comes to you by email.
Getting ready for the survey
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Getting a price
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Advice
Can I check my roof myself?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
Shephall questions
Do you cover smaller places like Shephall?
Yes. Shephall is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Is my home in Shephall listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
Only where it’s safe to do so. If not, we use safe viewpoints and look inside, and we note any area we couldn’t see. We don’t walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.
What will the report tell me?
It sets out what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, with photographs throughout. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely.
What does ponding on a flat roof mean?
Ponding is worth looking into. It often means a blocked outlet, poor falls or a dipping deck, and water that sits wears the covering sooner. Our survey notes the ponding and what seems to be causing it.
How long does the survey take?
Time on site depends on the roof; most visits take about one to two hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. The report is sent afterwards by email.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll explain what’s needed.
Before and after the survey
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Ask whoever fits equipment on the roof to make good the covering
- File the paperwork for the roof and any repairs
- Check from a window for ponding after heavy rain
- Ask contractors to protect the roof if they work on it
Questions about the findings are always welcome. Standard Surveys come with a follow-up consultation, and Premium Surveys with an in-person one, giving you a chance to go through what we found.
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 remind them never to step on rooflights or fragile sheets.
Nearby places to Shephall
Other services in Shephall
Different roofs, different checks
Single-ply membranes
Single-ply PVC and TPO membranes are common on commercial roofs and newer buildings. The survey looks at welded seams, edges, fixings and signs of damage.
Mastic asphalt
Asphalt roofs are common on older flats, walkways and commercial buildings. The survey checks for crazing, cracking, blistering and splits where the asphalt turns up the walls.