Greater London · London and the South East
Gutter survey in Bow, Greater London
We carry out gutter surveys in Bow and the rest of Greater London. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
- Overflowing valley or parapet gutters
- Leaves and moss blocking gutters
- Leaks at the gutter joints
Gutter survey in Bow
Gutters are usually fixed to fascia boards, so we check the fascias and soffits too. Long-term overflowing can soften and rot timber boards and stain the soffits below. Older buildings, from before 2000, can have asbestos cement soffits, gutters or downpipes. We do not carry out asbestos testing, but we flag anything that could contain it. If you’ve noticed downpipes that are split or coming away and water spilling over the gutter edge, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
A London butterfly roof slopes down to a central valley gutter that drains to the back of the house. 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 with this kind of roof, the hidden gutter is one of the first things to check.
If any part of the gutter couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Where
- Bow (E3)
- Region
- Greater London
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. The visit typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for a house, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. In Bow, visits are available on weekdays and at weekends. It helps if you can point us to a visitor permit or a nearby bay. Upstairs rooms at the back are useful too, as they frequently give the best view of a rear addition.
- We start by hearing about any drips, overflows or damp patches.
- Gutters, downpipes, fascias and soffits are inspected from safe vantage points.
- Valley, parapet and box gutters are inspected as far as they can safely be seen.
- Where the loft can be reached safely, we check it for staining or damp.
- We send a written report with photos and clear recommendations.
Before we arrive
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the freeholder or managing agent
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Book a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
Practical tips
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Have gutters cleared at least once a year
- Make sure downpipe clips are holding
- Don’t climb a ladder to look in the gutters
- Watch the gutters during heavy rain
Questions about the report are welcome. With the Standard Survey there’s a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey includes an in-person consultation.
Get the gutters cleared every year or more frequently near trees. Late autumn, after the leaves have fallen, is a sensible time. Clean gutters can do their job.
How the survey changes by roof type
Lead-lined valley and parapet gutters
Lead linings are common in valleys and parapet gutters on older houses. A split lining can leak straight into the building.
Aluminium and other metal gutters
Aluminium and other metal gutters are used on many newer and commercial buildings. Joints, outlets and fixings are the parts we focus on.
FAQs for Bow
Is parking a problem for a survey in Bow?
It depends on the street. Where there are permit zones, a visitor permit or nearby pay-and-display bay works well.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Hackney Wick station?
Of course. We just need to know who will give access, and we can send the report to you or your agent.
Does the season matter for a gutter survey?
You can book at any time of year. Before the wetter months gives you time to plan any work, and a wet spell can show where gutters overflow.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
Will you look at parapet and box gutters as well?
Yes, as far as they can be seen safely. We look from vantage points, the roof space and the roof itself where safe, and by drone where it is applicable.
How long does a gutter survey take?
For a house, expect about 1–2 hours on site, and longer for larger or complex roofs.
Do you cover Bow?
Yes. We survey roofs in Bow and the rest of Greater London. To book, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Bow
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Bow. To discuss a property or a block, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out with the most urgent first where relevant, which helps when budgeting.
More services for Bow
Why it is worth a survey now in Bow
Overflowing water soaks the walls under the gutter. Given time, it can cause damp patches, damaged pointing and rot in nearby timber. Spotting the problem early tends to mean a simpler fix. 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 often older than it looks.
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the report is not charged as an extra. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Why book with us
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- Package prices that include VAT
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
Read what a roof survey costs or two real surveys.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way. That part is for a survey.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
What a gutter survey looks like in Bow
Historic houses such as Sutton House, about 1.6 miles north-west, show how far back building in the area around Bow goes. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. Many homes in inner London are Victorian and Edwardian terraces, frequently with Welsh slate roofs. A butterfly roof with a central valley gutter, tucked behind a parapet wall, is common on these houses. Lead flashings, party-wall upstands and shared chimney stacks are typical of these houses, if yours is one of them. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
Homes near green spaces such as Grove Hall Park can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall. If you own one of the older houses in the streets near St Paul Old Ford, old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs. Shop and office owners around Westfield Stratford City may find that a roof report helps plan work around trading rather than after a leak.
Bow is about 1 mile south-east of Hackney, in Greater London. Bow is part of the area we cover as part of our work across London and South East England. Across Greater London, we cover Bow and the places around it.
Here we cover the E3 postcode area for gutter surveys. If you need a gutter survey at a property on Trellis Square, Sheffield Square and Bromley High Street or a nearby road, we can survey it. You’ll find Bow on the B142, which makes it simple to reach. Close by, we survey roofs in Donnybrook Quarter (1 mile north), Old Ford (1 mile north-east), Mile End (1 mile south), Fish Island (1 mile north) and Bromley (1 mile south-east). We also work in nearby towns like London (4 miles south-west), City of Westminster (6 miles west), Marylebone (5 miles west), Kensington (8 miles west), St Pancras (4 miles west) and Walthamstow (4 miles north).
What’s near Bow
In Bow, that means homes and buildings near Lord Tredegar Public House, Grove Hall Park and Mulberry UTC. For rail, the closest station is Hackney Wick station, roughly 0.9 miles north. A little further out are V&A East (0.9 miles north-east) and St Clement's Hospital (within half a mile south). Open spaces near Bow include Hollow Pond and Old Ford Island.