Roof surveys across London and the South East 07833 053749info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk

Kent · London and the South East

Gutter survey in Detling, Kent

We carry out gutter surveys in Detling and the rest of Kent. We survey on any day of the week.

  • Cracked or loose downpipes
  • Dripping or leaking gutter joints
  • Soffits marked by water

Need a gutter survey in Detling?

What we look for on each type of roof

Box and secret gutters

A secret gutter is tucked under the slates or tiles at an abutment or valley and is easy to overlook. The report records what could and couldn’t be seen.

Plastic (uPVC) gutters

Plastic rainwater systems are common on homes of many ages. Their joints can leak as the seals wear and brackets may drop under the weight of debris.

How a gutter survey works in Detling

This survey covers rainwater above ground, from the gutters down to where the downpipes meet the ground. It’s not a CCTV drain survey, so we can’t see inside underground pipes. If the problem looks like a blocked or broken drain below ground, the report will say so, with a suggestion to book a separate drain survey. Problems above ground, from split hoppers to leaking downpipes, are photographed and noted. We survey parapet and box gutters, downpipes and valley gutters, and people most often book us about leaves and moss blocking gutters and brackets that have dropped or snapped.

In a small place like Detling, many roofs stand in the open, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. 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 often 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. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.

Location
Detling (ME14)
Wider area
Kent
Price
From £150 inc. VAT
Reports
Written, with photos, emailed to you
When we survey
Monday to Sunday, daytime
Insurance
PI and public liability insurance
Phone
07833 053749
Updated
27 October 2026
Illustration of a gutter with moss in it dripping onto a wall below

How it works

On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that is worrying you. After that, we check everything we can see safely. The survey typically takes an hour or two at a house, depending on how many gutter runs and downpipes there are. In a small place like Detling, access is normally the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.

  1. We start by hearing about any drips, overflows or damp patches.
  2. Gutters, downpipes, fascias and soffits are inspected from safe vantage points.
  3. Valley, parapet and box gutters are inspected as far as they can be seen safely.
  4. The loft space is checked for water marks if it is safe to get into.
  5. You get a written report with photos and recommendations.

Getting ready for the survey

  • Mention any parking restrictions on your street
  • Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
  • Clear the way to the loft hatch

Arrange a survey

Getting a price is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form, let us know about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.

Book a survey

Related advice

Surveys for landlords and agents in Detling

We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Larger roofs take longer.

For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan.

Before and after the survey

You don’t need to be a roofer to help. Here’s what helps most:

  • Keep climbers away from the eaves
  • Look for green streaks or damp patches on walls
  • Have gutters cleared at least once a year
  • Do not leave hidden gutters out of a clear-out

After any work is done, watch the gutters in the next heavy rain. Water should run to the outlets and away without spilling over, and if it does not, raise it with whoever did the job.

Get trees and climbers near the eaves trimmed back using someone with the right kit. Less debris means fewer blocked outlets.

What a survey costs

To price your survey, we look at:

  • Roof area
  • The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
  • The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
  • Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details

Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 including VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.

What we need to know

We will usually ask about:

  • What’s prompted the survey
  • Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
  • Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
  • What kind of property and roof it is

For a price for gutter surveys in Detling, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you’d like to know help us give you an accurate price.

When to book a survey in Detling

Hidden gutters are frequently lined with lead or another sheet covering. When a lining splits or an outlet blocks, the water can come inside, because there’s no outer edge for it to spill over. Lead is also a target for theft.

We are often asked to look at:

  • Valley or box gutters that overflow inside
  • Soffits marked by water
  • Leaks at the gutter joints
  • Cracked or loose downpipes

If you own a rental within reach of Bearsted station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.

Questions to ask before booking

  • Their drone registration, if they fly one
  • Will the report include photos?
  • Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
  • What experience they bring

What a good roof survey covers

Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Detling

Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Whatever the covering, it’s often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first. Historic houses like Stoneacre, about 3 miles south, show how far back building in the area around Detling goes. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.

For businesses in and around places like The Mall Maidstone, a dated report on the roof is useful for planning and for any lease discussions. If you live in an older home near St Martin of Tours Church, its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.

Detling is about 3 miles north-east of Maidstone, in Kent. We survey roofs in Detling and the rest of Kent. We cover towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages.

We work across ME14 for gutter surveys. Streets in the area include The Street, Princes Way and Queens Way, all of which we cover. Other places close to Detling include Thurnham (1 mile south-east), Grove Green (1 mile south-west), Harbourland (1 mile west), Weavering (2 miles south) and Bearsted (2 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Maidstone (3 miles south-west), Sittingbourne (8 miles north-east), Gravesend (12 miles north-west), Tonbridge (14 miles south-west), Faversham (14 miles east) and Northfleet (14 miles north-west).

What’s near Detling

Typical jobs here are in homes near The Larches and The Cock Horse pub and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Bearsted station, roughly 1.4 miles south. Well-known places in the area include KIMS hospital (0.8 miles south-west) and The Mall Maidstone (2.4 miles south-west). For a walk, there’s Burham Down and Detling Hill.

Map of Detling © OpenStreetMap contributors

Detling: your questions answered

Is my home in Detling listed or in a conservation area?

Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.

I let a flat near Bearsted station. Can you check the roof?

Yes, landlords and agents are among the people we work for. Just call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.

What happens after the survey?

The report arrives by email, with photographs and clear recommendations. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.

Will I get photos?

Yes. We photograph the roof as we go, and the report uses them to show each finding alongside our recommendations.

Is a CCTV drain survey included?

No. Our gutter survey covers rainwater above ground, from the gutters to the bottom of the downpipes. If a drain below ground looks like the cause, the report says so.

Do you look in the loft space?

If it’s needed and safe to reach, yes. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement, as far as the space allows.

Will you look at parapet and box gutters as well?

Yes. Hidden gutters are a common cause of leaks inside, so they’re an important part of the survey. Some may only be partly visible, and the report says so.

20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT