West Berkshire · London and the South East
Gutter survey in Great Lea Common, West Berkshire
Find out the condition of the gutter at your property in Great Lea Common from an independent roof surveyor. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Gutters overflowing in heavy rain
- Leaks at the gutter joints
- Soffits marked by water
How a gutter survey works in Great Lea Common
Damp patches on inside walls, stains below a valley or water running down the brickwork can often be traced to the gutters. We check whether gutters, outlets or downpipes are the likely source, as far as can be seen safely. If the evidence points elsewhere, such as a flashing or the roof covering, we will say so, with a suggested next step. We survey eaves gutters, downpipes and outlets and hoppers, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are leaking or loose downpipes and brackets that have dropped or snapped.
Some older homes in villages like Great Lea Common are listed or in a conservation area. If yours is, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so the council is the place to check. A roof report helps you plan work with that in mind. Older materials such as clay tiles, slate and stone are frequently matched when work is done.
The written findings come by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Location
- Great Lea Common (RG7)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Questions from Great Lea Common
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Great Lea Common?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Is Great Lea Common within the area you cover?
Yes. Great Lea Common is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
Can you tell me if my old gutters contain asbestos?
No, that’s a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. We point out materials on older buildings that could contain asbestos so it can be checked before work starts.
When does the report arrive?
That depends on the survey you book: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. Reports are sent by email.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it applies and safe. We are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. It’s included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where applicable, the Premium Survey.
What’s the best way to book?
To book, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us the address and what you want to find out. We will confirm the price and agree a day with you.
What do I do with the report?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. It is yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
What happens if roof problems are left?
It’s easy to put damp down to the wrong cause. If a leaking gutter or downpipe is the source, other work on the wall won’t stop it. A gutter survey helps rule the rainwater system in or out. In a small place like Great Lea Common, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, from £400 inc. VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you’d like to know.
Why book us in Great Lea Common
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- An independent view of the roof
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and what we found on two real jobs.
How the survey changes by roof type
Box and secret gutters
Secret gutters are hidden under the edge of the roof covering, so they’re easy to forget. We look at what’s visible and note what isn’t.
Aluminium and other metal gutters
On big buildings, one blocked outlet can affect a long run, so we check the outlets carefully.
Towns and villages near Great Lea Common
Other services in Great Lea Common
How it works
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the loft space where it can be reached. All told, expect an hour or two at a house, depending on how many gutter runs and downpipes there are. Rural addresses near Great Lea Common can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We start by hearing about any drips, overflows or damp patches.
- The eaves gutters, downpipes and fascias are checked from the ground and vantage points.
- Valley, parapet and box gutters are inspected as far as they can safely be seen.
- We look in the roof space, where there’s safe access, for signs of water getting in.
- We send a written report with photos and clear recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
Booking a survey
To get a price for gutter surveys in Great Lea Common, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. A few details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
Advice
What we’re asked to look at in Great Lea Common
Valley, parapet and box gutters are often lined with lead or a sheet material. 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.
Here are some of the things we see frequently:
- Leaking or loose downpipes
- Gutters packed with leaves or moss
- Leaks at the gutter joints
- Hoppers and outlets full of debris
If you live in an older home near St Paul's Church, its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Whether the price includes VAT
- What experience they bring
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
Local roofs in Great Lea Common
Older houses in the South East frequently have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. Whatever the covering, it is frequently the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first. With Stratfield Saye House about 4.3 miles south, Great Lea Common sits in an area with a long building history. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters.
If you live near a park such as Pearman's Copse, or anywhere with mature trees, autumn leaves can block gutters and valleys, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall. For businesses in and around places such as The Oracle, a dated report on the roof is useful for planning and for any lease discussions.
Great Lea Common is about 3 miles south of Reading, in West Berkshire. Great Lea Common is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Across West Berkshire, we cover Great Lea Common.
Every address in RG7 is within our area for gutter surveys. Nearby, we also carry out gutter surveys in Three Mile Cross (1 mile south-east), Whitley Wood (1 mile north-east), Ryeish Green (1 mile south-east), Green Park (1 mile north-west) and Shinfield (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Newbury (15 miles west), Thatcham (12 miles west), Burghfield Common (4 miles west), Speenhamland (15 miles west), Calcot (4 miles north-west) and Shaw (14 miles west).
Around Great Lea Common
Around Great Lea Common, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Geoffrey Field Junior School, Ryeish Green School and Pearman's Copse and the streets around them. The closest station to Great Lea Common is Reading Green Park station, roughly 1.5 miles north-west. Other landmarks nearby include Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre Museum (3 miles north) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.9 miles north). For a walk, there is Fobney Island Wetland Reserve and Longwater.
DIY checks: what’s safe
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we look at the roof.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Before and after the survey
Getting the most from a gutter survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Have overhanging branches cut back
- Check downpipe clips are holding
- Book gutter clearing once a year, more often near trees
- Check for spilling water in a downpour
You receive a report with photographs and recommendations, prioritised by urgency where relevant. Share it with a contractor of your choice so they can see exactly what’s needed.
Have your gutters cleared at least once a year or more often near trees. Late autumn, after the leaves have fallen, is a sensible time. Clean gutters can do their job.