Greater London · London and the South East
Bow Common Gutter Survey
A survey of gutters, valleys, outlets and downpipes for Bow Common and the rest of Greater London. Surveys run seven days a week.
- Brackets that have dropped or snapped
- Water spilling over the gutter edge
- Gutters packed with leaves or moss
How a gutter survey works in Bow Common
Owners get in touch after seeing an overflow, finding damp or planning ahead for winter. Landlords and managing agents use it to plan maintenance, and some buyers want the rainwater system checked before exchange. Whoever books, we inspect and report in the same way with photos and clear recommendations. We survey on weekdays and at weekends. We’re often asked to look into gutters full of debris and silt and blocked outlets and hoppers, on eaves gutters, fascias and soffits and downpipes.
Many London terraces have a butterfly roof, with two slopes meeting in a central valley gutter that drains to the rear. From the street you see only a parapet wall, so blocked outlets and split linings go unnoticed until water comes through a ceiling. For a house in Bow Common with this kind of roof, the hidden gutter is one of the first things to check.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.
- Where
- Bow Common (E14, E3, E1)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Before and after the survey
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Tips:
- Have gutters cleared at least once a year
- Include valley, parapet and box gutters when clearing
- Don’t climb a ladder to look in the gutters
- Note any damp stains below the gutters
Landlords and managing agents can keep the report with the building’s records and use it to plan upkeep. Photos make it easier to explain the work to owners, tenants or contractors.
Get small faults like a dripping joint or loose downpipe sorted quickly. Left alone, they usually grow and spilled water harms brickwork and woodwork.
Common roof problems in Bow Common
Gutter brackets work loose or corrode with age. A gutter full of wet debris is heavy, and that weight pulls sections out of line. Once the fall is lost, water sits at the low point and spills over.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Downpipes that are split or coming away
- Joints that drip after rain
- Sagging gutters and loose brackets
- Overflowing valley or parapet gutters
If you look after a shop, office or commercial unit, for instance near Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, knowing the roof’s condition lets you budget for work rather than pay for emergencies.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
Different roofs, different checks
Fascias and soffits
Most gutters are fixed to the fascia, so rot in the boards can loosen the whole run. Damaged or stained boards are recorded.
Cast iron gutters
Plenty of period homes still have cast iron rainwater goods. They last well when painted but corrode once the paint wears off.
Can I check my roof myself?
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.
Also near Bow Common
More services for Bow Common
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Bow Common
Welsh slate on Victorian and Edwardian terraces is a familiar sight across inner London. From the street you may see only a parapet, with a butterfly roof and a valley gutter behind it draining to the back. Shared chimney stacks, party-wall upstands and lead work come with this kind of house. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters. With Sutton House about 2.4 miles north-west, Bow Common sits in an area with a long building history. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
Controlled parking zones are common in London, so mention any permit rules for Bow Common. Landlords with a home close to Limehouse station may find that a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak.
Bow Common is about 2 miles east of Whitechapel, in Greater London. Surveys in Bow Common work the same way as everywhere we cover: a proper look at everything that’s safely in view, photos and a clear written report. Our area takes in places right across Greater London.
Every address in E14, E3 and E1 is covered for gutter surveys. Streets in the area include Market Way, Knapp Road and Thomas Road. Other places close to Bow Common include Limehouse (1 mile west), Bromley (1 mile north-east), Mile End (1 mile north-west), Poplar (1 mile south) and Canary Wharf (1 mile south). We also work in nearby towns such as London (3 miles south-west), City of Westminster (6 miles west), Marylebone (5 miles west), Kensington (8 miles west), St Pancras (4 miles west) and Walthamstow (5 miles north).
Around Bow Common
Typical jobs here are in homes near Stebon Primary School, The Widow's Son pub and Bartlett Park, among other places. The nearest railway station is Limehouse station, about 0.8 miles south-west. Other landmarks nearby include Tower of London (2.4 miles west) and St Clement's Hospital (0.6 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Tower Hill and Hollow Pond.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
The survey, step by step
There isn’t much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, and more on a big or complicated roof. In Bow Common, as in much of London, lots of properties are flats or terraces without side access, so the back of the roof is often seen from upstairs windows, from inside or, where a flight is allowed, from the air. Mention any building rules, key holders or managing agents when you book.
- We start with what you’ve noticed, like damp or overflowing gutters.
- The eaves gutters, downpipes and fascias are checked from ground level and windows.
- Valleys, parapets and box gutters are inspected where they can be seen safely.
- Where it is safe, we check the loft for signs of water.
- You receive a report with photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Getting a price
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
Bow Common: your questions answered
Is my home in Bow Common listed or in a conservation area?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is parking a problem for a survey in Bow Common?
In much of London, parking needs planning: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day run more smoothly, so mention what’s available when you book.
How much is a gutter survey?
Our packages start from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, inc. VAT. For a price for your building, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
How experienced are you?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Where it helps and it is safe, yes. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We’re covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
Do you look in the roof space?
If it is needed and safe to reach, yes. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.