Buckinghamshire · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Walter's Ash, Buckinghamshire
Find out what’s going on with the flat roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out flat roof surveys in Walter's Ash.
- Ponding water that does not drain away
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
Flat roof survey in Walter's Ash: what you get
Our flat roof survey checks the waterproof covering and every detail around it, from edges and upstands to outlets and rooflights. Felt, asphalt, EPDM, GRP and single-ply PVC or TPO roofs are all part of the work. We survey extension, garage and dormer roofs as well as bigger roofs on flats, offices and units. You get a report with photographs and our recommendations. Typical surveys look at outlets that hold water back and splits and cracks in the covering, across felt flat roofs, upstands and outlets and EPDM rubber.
In a small place like Walter's Ash, a flat roof can stand in the open, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Older felt roofs, often around 15–20 years in life, show it first. EPDM rubber and GRP coverings last longer, but their edges and joints still need checking. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Walter's Ash (HP14)
- Region
- Buckinghamshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we cannot see
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
- Fragile surfaces, which we don’t walk on
- A promise that the roof will not leak in future
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Walter's Ash
- Single-ply membranes
- GRP fibreglass
- Mastic asphalt
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
Roof by roof
EPDM rubber
Lifting at the edges and loose areas of membrane are common EPDM problems. Any we find are noted and photographed.
Rooflights and upstands
Rooflights, lanterns and upstands are where many flat roof leaks begin. We check the seals and the covering around each one.
Your questions about flat roof surveys in Walter's Ash
Do you carry out roof surveys in Walter's Ash?
Yes. We work right across London and South East England, and Walter's Ash is part of that. Just phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and let us know about the property, and we will talk through which survey suits.
How do I find out if my home in Walter's Ash is listed?
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.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it’s applicable. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
What’s in the report?
It sets out what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, backed by photographs. Anything we couldn’t see safely is noted too.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We check the parts we’re given access to.
What insurance do you have?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
What does ponding on a flat roof mean?
Ponding is worth looking into. It can point to blocked outlets, poor falls or a deck that is sagging, and it wears the covering faster. Our survey notes the ponding and what seems to be causing it.
What happens on the day
A survey visit follows a simple order: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from every safe vantage point, take photos as we go and make notes for the report. Most visits take roughly 1–2 hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Rural addresses near Walter's Ash can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- First we go through the roof, what’s beneath it and any problems so far.
- We check the roof from ground level, windows and the roof where it 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
Getting a price
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email when you’re ready.
Advice
Common roof problems in Walter's Ash
A flat roof lies open to sun, rain and frost, and water drains off it slowly. Over the years, coverings harden, crack and start to come away at the edges. People usually call us when a leak appears, before a purchase, or when the roof may be near the end of its life.
Things that frequently lead to a survey include:
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Standing water left after rain
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
If you own a rental within reach of Saunderton station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Are they insured for the work?
- Will the report include photos?
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
Towns and villages near Walter's Ash
Also in Walter's Ash
What a flat roof survey looks like in Walter's Ash
A number of Buckinghamshire villages keep thatched roofs on their older buildings. 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. The wider area around Walter's Ash has a long history of building, with Hughenden Manor about 2.2 miles south-east. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters.
If you look after a shop, office or commercial unit, for example near Eden, outlets and upstands on commercial flat roofs are the places to check before trouble starts. Anyone responsible for a site like Naphill and Walters Ash School will know that a large flat roof with plenty of outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail.
Walter's Ash is about 4 miles north-west of High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire. We survey roofs in Walter's Ash and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Our Buckinghamshire coverage includes Walter's Ash. We also survey roofs in Reading.
Flat roof surveys in HP14 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Local streets include Main Road, Honey Way and Bradenham Wood Lane, all of which we cover. Other places close to Walter's Ash include Naphill (1 mile south-east), Upper North Dean (1 mile north-east), Lower North Dean (1 mile east), Speen (1 mile north) and Bryant's Bottom (1 mile north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Aylesbury (10 miles north), High Wycombe (4 miles south-east), Chesham (8 miles east), Marlow (7 miles south), Amersham (8 miles east) and Beaconsfield (8 miles south-east).
What’s near Walter's Ash
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Wheel pub. Walter's Ash’s nearest station is Saunderton station, about 1.5 miles west. Nearby you’ll also find Wycombe Hospital (3.7 miles south-east) and High Wycombe Castle (3.5 miles south-east). For a walk, there is Prestwood Local Nature Reserve.
Checking the roof from ground level
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry and it will help the survey.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the survey around it.