Greater London · London and the South East
South Hornchurch Flat Roof Survey
Flat roof surveys across South Hornchurch, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Leaks around rooflights
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Blocked or damaged outlets
About our flat roof survey in South Hornchurch
A flat roof leak frequently 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. That is why we check every detail across the roof, not only the area above the stain, with photos of anything that could be letting water in. Whoever carries out the work then has a clear starting point. If you’ve noticed dips that suggest the deck is deflecting and water getting in at rooflights, we can find out what’s behind it.
Across London, flat roofs are everywhere, from back additions and dormers to roof terraces, blocks of flats and offices. Coverings range from felt and asphalt to EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and single-ply membranes, each with its own weak points. Which one is on a roof in South Hornchurch shapes how it’s checked. Older flat roofs are often felt or asphalt, newer ones rubber or GRP.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, emailed to you. It sets out the condition of the flat roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Location
- South Hornchurch (RM13, RM10, RM12)
- Region
- Greater London
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
South Hornchurch: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in South Hornchurch is listed?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Do you carry out roof surveys in South Hornchurch?
Yes. Our area covers London and South East England, and South Hornchurch is part of that. Just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know about the property.
When does the report arrive?
Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24–48 hours and Premium reports on the same day. All of them come by email, ready to forward.
How experienced are you?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Do you look for flat roof leaks?
We check the whole roof, since water can travel before it shows inside. Splits, open laps, upstands, outlets and rooflights are all checked. Where nothing visible explains the leak, the report says what to try next.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Light rain does not normally stop a survey, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so if conditions aren’t right we’ll arrange another day with you.
What do I do with the report?
The report comes by email, and what you do next is up to you: use it with a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent.
Roof by roof
EPDM rubber
An EPDM rubber roof is usually one large sheet, bonded to the deck. The survey looks at laps, edge trims, corners and signs of puncture.
GRP fibreglass
GRP roofs are laid as a resin and glass-fibre layer over boards. The survey checks for cracking at board joints, at the edge trims and where the roof meets walls.
What we do, 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. The visit usually takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. Many London properties are flats or terraces with no side access, so the back of the roof is frequently seen from upstairs windows, from inside or, where a flight is allowed, from the air. Mention any building rules, key holders or managing agents as you book.
- We start with the details: the address, the roof’s use and any leaks or stains.
- We look at the roof from wherever it can safely be seen.
- We check and photograph the covering, the falls, the upstands, the outlets, the trims and any rooflights.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where we can reach them.
- You get a photo-illustrated written report and our recommendations.
How to prepare
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Leave side gates unlocked
Book a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Read more
Common roof problems in South Hornchurch
Buyers frequently book after their home survey suggests a closer look at a flat roof. Building owners and managing agents book to plan maintenance, or before a sale or a new lease. In each case, the report gives a written, photographed record of the roof’s condition.
People typically book a survey after spotting one of these:
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Blocked or damaged outlets
- Splits and cracks in the covering
- Loose or cracked edge trims
Shop and office owners around The Brewery may find that flat roofs over shops and units are easy to forget until water comes through a ceiling.
Before you book anyone
- Their report turnaround times
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- What insurance they carry
What happens if roof problems are left?
Flat roofs cannot usually be seen from the street, so they’re often overlooked. Owners often learn the roof is at the end of its life only when it leaks. A survey every few years stops that from catching you out. Behind a London parapet, a blocked gutter can sit full of water without anyone seeing it. When the stain finally shows, the damage underneath is frequently older than it looks.
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all including VAT. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in South Hornchurch
- Photos and a written report every time
- 20+ years’ experience
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
See what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
What we can’t see
It’s a careful look at the flat roof, not the whole story. Its limits include:
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
- A promise that the roof will not leak in future
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will suggest the right survey before you book. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
- Felt flat roofs
- EPDM rubber
What a flat roof survey looks like in South Hornchurch
The wider area around South Hornchurch has a long history of building, with Rainham Hall about 0.9 miles south. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. In outer London, interwar semis with hipped, tiled roofs sit alongside older slate-roofed terraces. Hips, bay roofs and later loft conversions are typical of those semis, if your home is one of them. Next to the main roofs there is normally a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
For landlords with property near Rainham (Essex) station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. Anyone responsible for a site like Whybridge Junior School will know that ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.
South Hornchurch is about 3 miles south of Romford, in Greater London. Whether the building in South Hornchurch is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, we can survey the roof. Across Greater London, we cover South Hornchurch. We also survey roofs in London.
All of RM13, RM10 and RM12 is within our area for flat roof surveys. We offer flat roof surveys to properties on Hood Road, Ford Lane and Philip Road. Other places close to South Hornchurch include Beam Park (1 mile south-west), Rainham (1 mile south-east), Hornchurch Marshes (1 mile south-west), Dagenham (1 mile north-west) and Elm Park (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include London (12 miles west), City of Westminster (15 miles west), Marylebone (14 miles west), St Pancras (13 miles west), Shoreditch (11 miles west) and Walthamstow (10 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in South Hornchurch
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Bell pub, The Brittons Academy and Beam Valley Country Park, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Rainham (Essex) station, about 0.9 miles south. Other landmarks nearby include St George's Hospital (1.9 miles north-east) and The Brewery (3.1 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Ingrebourne Marshes.
Nearby places to South Hornchurch
More services for South Hornchurch
What affects the price in South Hornchurch
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. The main factors are:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- The size of the roof
- House, block, shop or office
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before you book.
What we need to know
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, tell us:
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.