London and the South East
Gutter Survey in Reading
Gutter surveys in all 34 towns and villages of Reading, with prices that include VAT and surveys on weekdays and weekends.
Gutter survey across Reading
Across Reading, that means a survey of gutters, valleys, outlets and downpipes. Choose your town from the list to see local details, or call 07833 053749 to book.
Main towns
Gutter survey in Reading: how it works
Damp patches on inside walls, stains below a valley or water running down the brickwork can often be traced to the gutters. We check whether gutters, outlets or downpipes are the likely source, as far as can safely be seen. If the evidence points elsewhere, such as a flashing or the roof covering, we’ll say so. The next step is suggested too. We survey outlets and hoppers, fascias and soffits and parapet and box gutters, and common reasons people get in touch are gutters full of debris and silt and leaks at the gutter joints.
The aim of the visit is simple: to see as much of the gutter as can be seen safely and record it clearly. Notes and photographs go into the written report. It typically takes about one to two hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof.
- First, you let us know what you’ve seen, such as overflows or damp.
- Gutters, downpipes, fascias and soffits are inspected from safe vantage points.
- Any valley, parapet or box gutters are looked at as far as safe access allows.
- Where the loft can be reached safely, we check it for staining or damp.
- You get a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations.
What affects the price in Reading
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, inc. VAT. We’ll tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
How to book
If you are buying, it is 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 phone 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.
Local landmarks in Caversham
We work in homes and buildings around Eldon Square, Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre and Chiltern Nursery Nurse Training School. You’ll also find The Hill Primary School (under half a mile north-east), Grace Church (less than half a mile east) and The White Horse pub (less than half a mile north). For rail, the closest station is Reading station, about 1.3 miles south. Nearby you will also find Royal Berkshire Hospital (1.9 miles south) and Broad Street Mall (1.6 miles south). Not far away are South Lake and Sonning Hill.
Homes and roofs across Reading
Across Reading, we survey roofs for owners, landlords and agents, from Caversham, Norcot and West Reading to the quieter places in between. Every report comes with photos and written recommendations.
Our area covers London and South East England, including Reading. Housing here runs from Victorian and Edwardian terraces to post-war new towns and modern estates.
Caversham: Take a building like The Hill Primary School: its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. Landlords with a home close to Reading station may find that a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Reading
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, putting the urgent items at the top.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
Different roofs, different checks
Fascias and soffits
On buildings from before 2000, soffits may be asbestos cement. We flag any that could be so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check them before they’re disturbed.
Aluminium and other metal gutters
Metal gutters are common on commercial buildings and some homes. Their joints and outlets still need checking.
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Get trees that overhang the gutters trimmed
- Leave gutter checks at height to someone equipped for it
- Watch for green marks down the brickwork
- Watch the gutters during heavy rain
The report comes with photos and clear written recommendations. Share it with a contractor of your choice so they can see exactly what’s needed.
Look at the gutters from indoors or the ground when it pours. Overflows and dripping joints are a sign to act before the walls suffer.
Why act early?
It’s easy to put damp down to the wrong cause. When rainwater goods are the source, treating the wall alone will not solve it. A gutter survey helps rule the rainwater system in or out.
What to check before booking
- What insurance they carry
- When you will get the report
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Their track record with similar roofs
What we’re asked to look at in Reading
Sometimes a gutter struggles with the area of roof draining into it. An extension or extra roof slope can add water to an existing gutter and the weakness shows in a heavy downpour.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Sagging gutters and loose brackets
- Fascia boards damaged by overflowing water
- Downpipes that are split or coming away
- Leaks at the gutter joints
Reading questions
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning, with the freeholder or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the survey around it.
How much is a gutter survey?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The size of the property and the access affect the price. To get a price, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers. We will recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
Can you tell me if my old gutters contain asbestos?
No. We do not test for asbestos. If rainwater goods or soffits look like they could contain asbestos, we note it so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before any work.
Do you work in Reading?
Yes. We survey roofs in Reading, as part of our work across London and South East England. To book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it is 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.
How much time does the visit need?
Most visits to a house take about 1–2 hours, with commercial buildings nearer 3–4 hours.