Hampshire · London and the South East
Downton Gutter Survey
Find out what’s going on with the gutter before you spend money on it. We carry out gutter surveys in Downton.
- Gutters overflowing in heavy rain
- Overflowing valley or parapet gutters
- Dripping or leaking gutter joints
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
How a gutter survey works in Downton
This survey covers rainwater above ground: gutters, outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows. It’s not a CCTV drain survey, so we can’t see inside underground pipes. Where water seems to be backing up from below ground, the report will say so, so you can get the drains checked separately. Anything we find above ground, such as a split hopper or a leaking downpipe, is photographed and recorded. We survey downpipes, fascias and soffits and valley gutters, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are rotten fascias or stained soffits and water backing up from a hidden gutter.
Older buildings in small places like Downton may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials can be used when work is done, so check with the council before planning anything. Knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan ahead with that in mind. Older materials such as clay tiles, slate and stone are frequently matched when work is done.
Where we can’t see part of the gutter, the report says so. That way, it is clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Place
- Downton (SO41)
- Region
- Hampshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Your questions about gutter surveys in Downton
Is the coastal weather around Downton hard on roofs?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch, and Downton is within about 1 mile of the coast.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near New Milton station?
Yes, landlords and letting agents book with us as well as owners. Just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us about the building, including who will give access on the day.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, if the freeholder or managing agent agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach, and the report makes that clear.
Could my damp wall be caused by the gutters?
Overflowing gutters often lead to damp walls, and we check for exactly that. If the cause looks like something else, the report says so, based on what we can see.
What’s the price of a gutter survey?
Gutter survey starts from £150, including VAT. The size of the property and the access affect the price. For a price, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, so it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
What happens next?
The report comes by email, and what you do next is up to you: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
Different roofs, different checks
Box and secret gutters
Box and secret gutters often cause leaks indoors. We check the outlets, linings and overflows where safe.
Aluminium and other metal gutters
Aluminium and other metal gutters are used on many newer and commercial buildings. Their joints and outlets still need checking.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Downton
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf. Access is agreed with the tenant ahead of time.
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the addresses.
Downton homes and their roofs
The coast is about 1 mile or less from Downton, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, and driving rain gets into whatever gap is left. Historic houses such as Highcliffe Castle, about 4.2 miles west, show how far back building in the area around Downton goes. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead.
The streets around a church such as Church of All Saints are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs. If you own a rental within reach of New Milton station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Downton is about 3 miles west of Lymington, in Hampshire. Roofs in Downton get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Hampshire. Across Hampshire, we cover Downton and the places around it. There’s also a page for Southampton.
All of SO41 is covered for gutter surveys. Local streets include Hordle Lane and Shorefield Road, and we cover them all. We also cover Leagreen (1 mile east), Hordle (1 mile north), Ashley (2 miles north-west), Barton on Sea (2 miles west) and New Milton (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Totton (13 miles north), Lymington (3 miles east), Hythe (13 miles north-east), Ringwood (10 miles north-west), Dibden Purlieu (12 miles north-east) and Marchwood (13 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Downton
We work in homes and buildings around The Arnewood School and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is New Milton station, roughly 2 miles north-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Lymington New Forest Hospital (3.7 miles north-east) and Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (2.9 miles north-west). Not far away are Milford on Sea LNR.
How the survey works
We check the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there is safe access, from inside the roof space too. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging. The whole visit typically takes about 1–2 hours at most homes, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Somewhere as small as Downton, access is often the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We agree which parts of the building you’re most worried about.
- Each gutter run is checked for blockages, sags and leaking joints.
- We check the outlets, hoppers, downpipes and any overflows.
- Fascias, soffits and the walls below are looked at for signs of overflow.
- Findings are photographed and set out in a written report.
Before the survey
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Leave side gates unlocked
Book a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Read more
Common roof problems in Downton
Moss grows on many tiled and slate roofs, and heavy rain washes clumps of it into the gutters. Mixed with grit from the roof, it settles as silt that holds water in the gutter and gives plants somewhere to grow.
It’s worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Leaves and moss blocking gutters
- Rotten fascias or stained soffits
- Choked outlets or hopper heads
- Gutters that have fallen out of line
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Hordle CofE (VA) Primary School, long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- When you will get the report
- Will the report include photos?
- What experience they bring
Also near Downton
More services for Downton
Practical tips
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Ask for valleys and parapet gutters to be cleared too
- Check for spilling water in a downpour
- Check the loft with care after heavy rain
- Make sure downpipe clips are holding
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.
Hidden gutters need clearing too. They block in the same way as the gutters you can see but they’re much harder to spot, so make sure they’re included in any clearing work.