Medway · London and the South East
Gutter survey in Cliffe, Medway
A survey of gutters, valleys, outlets and downpipes across Cliffe, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Water spilling over the gutter edge
- Joints that drip after rain
- Leaking or loose downpipes
How a gutter survey works in Cliffe
Gutters are usually fixed to fascia boards, 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 valley gutters, downpipes and outlets and hoppers, and common reasons people get in touch are leaking or loose downpipes and hoppers and outlets full of debris.
Village roofs often face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A roof report shows what needs attention first. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are frequently where weather gets in first.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- Cliffe (ME3)
- Wider area
- Medway
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Landlords, agents and block managers in Cliffe
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed beforehand. Surveys run on any day of the week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
Towns and villages near Cliffe
Other services in Cliffe
Tips from our surveys
Getting the most from a gutter survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Watch the gutters during heavy rain
- Check from the ground or a window, not a ladder
- Get trees that overhang the gutters trimmed
- Watch for green marks down the brickwork
If we think the problem lies underground, we’ll say so, so you can arrange a drain survey. Anything else we notice on the roof, as far as we can see it, is noted too.
Look at the gutters from indoors or the ground when it pours. Overflows and dripping joints are a sign to act before damage builds up.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Cliffe homes and their roofs
The coast is about 2 miles or less from Cliffe, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, and strong wind lifts anything already loose on a roof, and driving rain gets into whatever gap is left. Handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles hung on pegs through two holes, are typical of older Kent buildings. Kent’s older buildings take in oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses as well. Whatever the covering, it’s often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first.
For landlords with property near Higham station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at. With Temple Manor about 4.9 miles south, the area around Cliffe has a long history. If your house is among the older ones, the roof may have been repaired many times, and the survey records how each part is holding up. The streets around a church such as Church of St Helen are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs.
Cliffe is about 5 miles north of Rochester, in Medway. We survey roofs in Cliffe and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. We cover towns and villages across Medway, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in Maidstone.
We cover every part of the ME3 postcode area for gutter surveys and the streets around it. That includes homes and businesses on Station Road, St Helens Road and Chesterton Road. We also cover the places around Cliffe: Cliffe Woods (2 miles south), Church Street (2 miles south-west), Mockbeggar (3 miles south), Lower Higham (3 miles south-west) and Higham (4 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Gillingham (7 miles south-east), Chatham (7 miles south), Rochester (5 miles south), Rainham (8 miles south-east), Strood (5 miles south) and Luton (6 miles south).
Near you in Cliffe
Around Cliffe, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Evening Star pub and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Higham station, about 2.6 miles south-west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include French Hospital (4.9 miles south) and Upnor Castle (3.8 miles south). For a walk, there is Gad's Hill and Thurrock Thameside Nature Park.
Leave it or get it looked at?
When a valley or parapet gutter blocks, the water has nowhere safe to go. It can back up into the loft space and the rooms below normally during the worst downpours. It is worth having these gutters looked at before the wetter months. For an older or listed building in a place like Cliffe, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
Every price we give includes VAT. Gutter survey starts from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the price for your roof before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Cliffe
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Visits on any day of the week
- Packages from £150, with VAT included
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
Read what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Common questions in Cliffe
Is my home in Cliffe listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do you cover smaller places like Cliffe?
Yes. Cliffe is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Are hidden gutters like valleys and box gutters included?
Yes, as far as they can be seen safely. We use the ground, windows, the roof space and the roof where it’s safe, and by drone where it is applicable.
When is the best time for a gutter survey?
Whenever suits you. If you’ve already seen a gutter overflowing, it’s best not to wait as overflowing water can damage walls.
Is a CCTV drain survey included?
No, CCTV drain work is not part of this survey. The survey covers gutters, outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows and flags signs of a drain problem.
How much time does the visit need?
For a house, expect about 1–2 hours on site, and longer for larger or complex roofs.
Will I get photos?
Yes. Photos are part of every report.
How the survey changes by roof type
Aluminium and other metal gutters
Long metal gutter runs on larger buildings can hide blocked outlets, so we check the outlets carefully.
Cast iron gutters
A good many period homes still have cast iron rainwater goods. Kept painted, they can last a long time, but rust where the paint fails.
What we do, step by step
You do not need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will take it from there. The survey itself takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Older rural homes like those around Cliffe can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen.
- First, you tell us what you’ve seen, like overflows or damp.
- Gutters, downpipes, fascias and soffits are inspected from safe vantage points.
- We check hidden gutters, such as valleys and parapets, where it is safe to see them.
- The roof space is checked for water marks if it’s safe to get into.
- The findings are written up with photographs and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
Arrange a survey
Booking is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and give us a few details about the property and we’ll point you to the right survey. The price is agreed up front.