Reading · London and the South East
Gutter Survey in Fords Farm
A careful look at the gutter at your property in Fords Farm, with photographs and a written report.
- Sagging gutters and loose brackets
- Blocked outlets and hoppers
- Leaves and moss blocking gutters
Gutter survey in Fords Farm
We check the rainwater system above ground level, from the gutters down to where the downpipes meet the ground. It’s not a CCTV drain survey and we cannot see inside buried drains. If the problem looks like a blocked or broken drain below ground, we will say so in the report, 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. Common reasons to book are hoppers and outlets full of debris and gutters that have fallen out of line, across eaves gutters, downpipes and outlets and hoppers.
In a smaller place like Fords Farm, homes range from older cottages to bungalows and newer houses. Coverings range from slate and clay tiles on older homes to concrete tiles on many later ones. On older homes, chimney stacks, valleys and gutters are usually where the work is, and the fixings under the coverings matter too. Nails and battens under older coverings frequently give out before the slates or tiles themselves.
Nothing in the report is left vague: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.
- Where
- Fords Farm (RG30, RG31)
- Region
- Reading
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Landlord and commercial surveys in Fords Farm
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, with the most urgent items set out first.
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Different roofs, different checks
Cast iron gutters
Cast iron tends to fail at the joints and fixings. Cracks, rust and leaks are recorded where they can be seen.
Lead-lined valley and parapet gutters
Lead gutters need their linings, steps and outlets in good order where it is safe to see them. Lead is also a target for theft.
Nearby places to Fords Farm
What else we do in Fords Farm
The survey, step by step
We look at the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there is safe access, from inside the loft space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. All in, the survey usually takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. In a smaller place like Fords Farm, as anywhere, the forecast plays a part: the parts that need calm, dry weather are planned around it.
- We start with what you’ve noticed, such as damp or overflowing gutters.
- The eaves gutters, downpipes and fascias are checked from ground level and windows.
- Valleys, parapets and box gutters are inspected where they can safely be seen.
- The roof space is checked for staining, where it can be reached safely.
- A written report with photos and recommendations follows.
Before we arrive
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
Book a survey
If you are buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email when you are ready.
Read more
Fords Farm homes and their roofs
Historic houses like Mapledurham House, about 3.1 miles north, show how far back building in the area around Fords Farm 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. Older houses in the South East frequently have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them.
Take an older house close to St Matthew's: its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look. If you live near a park such as Calcot Park, or anywhere with mature trees, autumn leaves can block gutters and valleys. If you own a rental within reach of Reading Green Park station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at.
Fords Farm is about 2 miles west of Reading, in Reading. Fords Farm gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful look at what can safely be seen, photos and a clear written report. Our area takes in places right across Reading.
Every address in RG30 and RG31 is covered for gutter surveys. Local streets include Low Lane, Mill Lane and Bath Road, all of which we cover. We also cover the places around Fords Farm: Horncastle (1 mile north), Southcote (1 mile east), Burghfield Bridge (1 mile south), Beansheaf Farm (1 mile west) and Calcot (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Caversham (4 miles north-east), Shinfield (4 miles south-east), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south-east), Caversham Heights (3 miles north-east), Whitley Wood (3 miles south-east) and Sonning Common (6 miles north).
Near you in Fords Farm
In Fords Farm, that means homes and buildings near Prospect School, Elvian School and The Cunning Man pub, among other places. Fords Farm’s nearest station is Reading Green Park station, roughly 1.4 miles south-east. Well-known places in the area include Battle Hospital (1.7 miles north-east) and Beaumys Castle (4.8 miles south-east). The countryside around Fords Farm includes Fobney Island Wetland Reserve and South Lake.
What a survey costs
To price your survey, we look at:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- House, block, shop or office
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how safely it can be seen. Our price is from £150, including VAT.
Helping us price your survey
We’ll typically ask about:
- The property’s address and postcode
- Access details, like a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
FAQs for Fords Farm
Do you cover smaller places like Fords Farm?
Yes. Fords Farm is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Reading Green Park station?
Yes, landlords and agents are among the people we work for. You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and what you need.
How much time does the visit need?
It normally takes between one and two hours at most homes, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. We’ll give you an idea as you book.
What do I do with the report?
The report comes by email, and what you do next is up to you: use it with a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent.
What does the report include?
It explains what we saw, what it means and what we’d suggest, backed by photos. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely, so you know exactly what was covered.
Could my damp wall be caused by the gutters?
Leaking gutters and downpipes are a common cause of damp walls, and we check for exactly that. If the cause looks like something else, the report says so as far as we can tell from what’s visible.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We note visible signs such as sagging or deflection, but we are not structural engineers and do not carry out calculations. If we think you need an engineer, the report says so.
Practical tips
There’s plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Check the loft with care after heavy rain
- Keep climbers away from the eaves
- Leave gutter checks at height to someone equipped for it
- Look for downpipes coming loose
Questions about the report are welcome. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation and the Premium Survey comes with an in-person one.
Have overhanging branches and climbing plants cut back from the roof using someone with the right kit. Fewer leaves in the gutters means fewer blockages.
When you need someone else
It is a careful look at the gutter, not the whole story. Its limits include:
- Parts of gutters that cannot be seen safely
- Pipes below ground level
- Blockages deep inside downpipes
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll point you to the right survey. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Outlets and hoppers
- Downpipes
- Parapet and box gutters
- Eaves gutters
- Valley gutters
- Fascias and soffits