Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Gutter Survey in Charlton-on-Otmoor
A survey of gutters, valleys, outlets and downpipes for Charlton-on-Otmoor, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photos.
- Leaks at the gutter joints
- Water backing up from a hidden gutter
- Downpipes that are split or coming away
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Charlton-on-Otmoor
Older buildings in west Oxfordshire often have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Whatever the covering, it is often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first. Boarstall Tower, about 4 miles east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Charlton-on-Otmoor. 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 site and facilities teams at buildings such as Charlton-on-Otmoor Church of England Primary School, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. If you run a business near Bicester Avenue, knowing the roof’s condition lets you budget for work rather than pay for emergencies. Landlords with a home close to Islip station may find that a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Charlton-on-Otmoor is about 5 miles south of Bicester, in Oxfordshire. Anywhere in Charlton-on-Otmoor, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Our Oxfordshire coverage includes Charlton-on-Otmoor. For surveys nearby, see our Oxford page.
Gutter surveys in OX5 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. That includes homes and businesses on High Street, Blacksmiths Lane and Church Lane and the roads around them. Close by, we survey roofs in Fencott (1 mile east), Murcott (1 mile east), Merton (1 mile north-east), Wendlebury (2 miles north) and Horton-cum-Studley (3 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (6 miles south), Bicester (5 miles north), Abingdon-on-Thames (12 miles south), Witney (13 miles west), Thame (11 miles south-east) and Kidlington (4 miles west).
What’s near Charlton-on-Otmoor
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Crown pub, among other places. Charlton-on-Otmoor’s nearest station is Islip station, about 2.3 miles west. Well-known places in the area include Bicester Community Hospital (4.2 miles north) and Bicester Avenue (3.6 miles north). The countryside around Charlton-on-Otmoor includes Graven Hill and Otmoor RSPB reserve.
Gutter survey in Charlton-on-Otmoor
Most gutters hang from the fascia boards at the eaves, so fascias and soffits are part of the survey. 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 test for asbestos, but we flag anything that could contain it. We survey outlets and hoppers, valley gutters and downpipes, and people most often book us about fascia boards damaged by overflowing water and choked outlets or hopper heads.
In a village or hamlet like Charlton-on-Otmoor, older cottages and farmhouses often sit alongside barns, outbuildings and a few newer houses. Roofs there can be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, and chimney stacks are often old. We report on what can safely be seen, and thatch is a specialist material. On older roofs, it is usually the chimneys and lead flashings that need work first.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.
- Where
- Charlton-on-Otmoor (OX5)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026

What we can’t see
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Rot or damp concealed behind fascias or inside walls
- The inside of a downpipe along its whole length
- Asbestos testing of old gutters, downpipes or soffits
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What we check
- Downpipes
- Outlets and hoppers
- Valley gutters
- Eaves gutters
- Parapet and box gutters
- Fascias and soffits
What affects the price in Charlton-on-Otmoor
Our packages start from £150, inc. VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- The size of the roof
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all including VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Booking your survey
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, tell us:
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
- Dates you are working to, like exchange
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Also near Charlton-on-Otmoor
What else we do in Charlton-on-Otmoor
Different roofs, different checks
Lead-lined valley and parapet gutters
Lead gutters need their linings, steps and outlets in good order where it’s safe to see them. Missing lead is something we check for too.
Fascias and soffits
Soffits and timber fascias suffer when gutters overflow. We check them along with the gutters.
Useful tips for Charlton-on-Otmoor property owners
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Book gutter clearing once a year, more frequently near trees
- Keep climbers away from the eaves
- Don’t climb a ladder to look in the gutters
- Watch ceilings under valley gutters for fresh marks
If we think the problem lies underground, we’ll say so, so a drain survey can be arranged. Anything else we notice on the roof, as far as we can see it, is noted too.
Have your gutters cleared at least once a year, and more frequently if trees overhang the roof. The best time is usually after the leaves have dropped. Clean gutters can do their job.
Charlton-on-Otmoor: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in Charlton-on-Otmoor is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Do you cover smaller places like Charlton-on-Otmoor?
We do. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
Are hidden gutters like valleys and box gutters included?
Yes. These gutters frequently cause leaks indoors when they block so we pay close attention to them. Some may only be partly visible, and the report says so.
How soon will I get the report?
Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24–48 hours and Premium reports on the same day. All of them come by email, ready to forward.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first. Mention it when you get in touch and we will explain what’s needed.
Is a Saturday or Sunday visit possible?
Yes. We survey on weekdays and at weekends. Just phone 07833 053749 or email us to arrange a day.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We point out what can be seen, such as sagging or deflection, but we are not structural engineers and do not carry out calculations. Where an engineer is needed, we say so in the report.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Charlton-on-Otmoor
Landlords and letting agents in Charlton-on-Otmoor book surveys as well as householders. A written report with photos gives you a clear record of the gutter.
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out by urgency where it matters.
How the survey works
You don’t need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes an hour or two for most homes, and longer where there are parapet, valley or box gutters to follow. Somewhere as small as Charlton-on-Otmoor, access is frequently the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We start with what you’ve noticed, like damp or overflowing gutters.
- We walk round the building and check the gutters, downpipes and fascias from the ground.
- Valleys, parapets and box gutters are inspected where they can safely be seen.
- Where it’s safe, we check the loft for signs of water.
- A written report with photographs and recommendations follows.
Getting ready for the survey
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Book a survey
We survey roofs on any day of the week. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.