Greater London · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Southwark
A careful look at the flat roof at your property in Southwark, with photos and a written report.
- Water getting in at rooflights
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Ponding water that doesn’t drain away
How a flat roof survey works in Southwark
Many commercial buildings and blocks of flats have big flat roofs. A survey of a roof this size picks out worn covering, standing water and outlets that need attention. We record the condition with photos so work can be planned and budgeted. Commercial roofs are quoted for their size and access, so please phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and an idea of the roof’s size. Common reasons to book are pools of water lying on the roof and blocked or damaged outlets, on EPDM rubber, mastic asphalt and single-ply membranes.
On a London roof terrace or a flat roof over a back addition, water often runs under the covering before it shows. Outlets, upstands against parapet walls and joins with the main roof are frequent culprits. In a converted house in Southwark, the roof above may belong to the building rather than one flat.
We write the report in plain English, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Photos show what each point refers to, with the urgent items made clear.
- Where
- Southwark (SE1, SE11)
- Wider area
- Greater London
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
FAQs for Southwark
Is parking a problem for a survey in Southwark?
Parking in Southwark, as in most of London, takes a little planning: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day run more smoothly, so mention what’s available when booking.
Do you cover commercial flat roofs around Southwark?
Yes, commercial flat roofs are part of what we cover. Larger commercial roofs are quoted for the building, and roof access is agreed with you before the visit.
Does someone need to be in?
That depends on the survey. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys, across London and South East England.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day. Let us know your preferred days when booking.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
How quickly is the report sent?
That depends on the survey you book: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day. Reports are sent by email.
For landlords and managing agents
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out in order of urgency where relevant.
We survey roofs for letting agents and landlords as well as homeowners. The report gives you a dated record of the flat roof, with photos.
Places near Southwark
Other services in Southwark
What we are asked to look at in Southwark
A buyer’s general survey frequently recommends a closer look at a flat roof. Owners and managing agents use a survey to plan upkeep, or ahead of a sale or a new lease. In each case, the report gives a written, photographed record of the roof’s condition.
We are frequently asked to look at:
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Leaks around rooflights
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
- Outlets that hold water back
Take an older house close to Borough Welsh Congregational Chapel: any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- What they will not be able to tell you
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Will the report include photos?
When you need someone else
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Fragile surfaces, which we do not walk on
- Whether old sheeting or boards contain asbestos
- A promise that the roof won’t leak in future
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Mastic asphalt
- EPDM rubber
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
- Felt flat roofs
Different roofs, different checks
GRP fibreglass
GRP can crack if the deck beneath flexes or if the resin was laid too thin. Our report notes cracks and any sign that the deck is flexing.
Mastic asphalt
With age, asphalt can harden and crack with movement. We note where this is happening and how widespread it looks.
What happens on the day
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes roughly 1–2 hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. London terraces rarely offer a view of the whole roof from one spot, so a visit in Southwark moves between viewpoints: the pavement, upstairs windows, the loft and any safe spot at the back. If other people live in the building, tell us who can let us into the shared parts.
- You send us the address and, for commercial roofs, an idea of the roof’s size.
- 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
Arrange a survey
If you are buying, it’s useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply call 07833 053749 or send us an email whenever suits you.
Related advice
Checking the roof from ground level
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
Flat roof surveys in Southwark: local notes
There are several hotels within about a mile and a half of Southwark, and hotels, like offices and blocks of flats, often have flat roofs. For hotels and other commercial buildings, finding the cause of a flat roof leak quickly keeps rooms in use. The wider area around Southwark has a long history of building, with Mansion House about 0.9 miles north. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
For hotels and guest houses around Southwark, a roof problem found early is far less disruptive than one found by a guest. For landlords with property near Elephant & Castle station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Southwark is about 0 miles north-west of London, in Greater London. We visit Southwark as part of our work across Greater London, for homes and businesses alike. Across Greater London, we cover Southwark and the places around it.
We cover every part of the SE1 and SE11 postcode area for flat roof surveys. Streets in the area include Borough Square, Trinity Church Square and Merrick Square. Southwark is on the A300 and B240, so it’s easy for us to get to. We also cover Tower Hill (1 mile north-east), City of London (1 mile north), Aldgate (1 mile north-east), Bishopsgate (1 mile north-east) and Barbican Estate (1 mile north). Further out, we also cover City of Westminster (3 miles west), Kensington (5 miles west), Walthamstow (7 miles north-east), Hampstead (5 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west) and Brompton (3 miles west).
What’s near Southwark
In Southwark, that means homes and buildings near London School of Musical Theatre, Little Dorrit's Playground and St Mary-at-Hill, among other places. Nearby too are Ark Globe Academy (less than half a mile south-east), The BFI Reuben Library (0.9 miles north-west) and The Gladstone Arms (under half a mile north-east). The closest station to Southwark is Elephant & Castle station, roughly 0.5 miles south of the centre. Nearby you will also find Gabriel's Wharf (0.7 miles north-west) and Baynard's Castle (0.8 miles north). For a walk, there’s Ludgate Hill and Bellenden Road Nature Garden.