Kent · London and the South East
Gutter survey in Hicks Forstal, Kent
An experienced roof surveyor for gutter surveys in Hicks Forstal. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Gutters overflowing in heavy rain
- Joints that drip after rain
- Choked outlets or hopper heads
About our gutter survey in Hicks Forstal
Most blocked gutters are full of leaves, moss or silt. Buildings near trees collect more and moss from the roof slopes makes it worse. We note where gutters are clogged or holding water, which outlets and hoppers are choked and whether overflows are working. The photos show you exactly what we found. It is an easy job to put off, but they rarely get better. Common reasons to book are gutters overflowing in heavy rain and choked outlets or hopper heads, across downpipes, parapet and box gutters and fascias and soffits.
Somewhere as small as Hicks Forstal, homes are frequently older cottages and farmhouses, with outbuildings and some newer houses. Older roofs may be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, often with chimneys that have stood a long time. We report on what can be seen safely, and thatch is a specialist material. On older roofs, it is normally the chimneys and lead flashings that need work first.
Where we can’t see part of the gutter, the report says so. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Place
- Hicks Forstal (CT3)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we are asked to look at in Hicks Forstal
Valley, parapet and box gutters are frequently lined with lead or a sheet material. When a lining splits or an outlet blocks, the water can come inside as there’s nowhere harmless for it to go. Lead is also a target for theft.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Water backing up from a hidden gutter
- Cracked or loose downpipes
- Water spilling over the gutter edge
- Dripping or leaking gutter joints
Take a building like Spires Academy: a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- Which limits apply to the survey
- When you will get the report
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
The survey, step by step
On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that is worrying you. After that, we look at everything we can see safely, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where it applies. The survey usually takes between one and two hours at a typical home, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. In a small place like Hicks Forstal, access is typically 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.
- You tell us where you’ve seen overflows, drips or damp.
- We walk round the building and check the gutters, downpipes and fascias from ground level.
- We look at hidden gutters as far as safe access allows.
- Where it is safe, we check the loft for signs of water.
- A written report with photographs and recommendations follows.
Preparing for the visit
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
- Jot down any questions you want answered
How to book
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know where you stand. Prices start from £150, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
Different roofs, different checks
Box and secret gutters
Secret gutters are hidden under the edge of the roof covering and is easy to overlook. The report records what could and couldn’t be seen.
Plastic (uPVC) gutters
Many homes have plastic gutters and downpipes. As the seals age, joints can start to drip and brackets may drop under the weight of debris.
Common questions in Hicks Forstal
Will you come out to Hicks Forstal?
Yes, we do. Our area covers London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
Is the coastal weather around Hicks Forstal hard on roofs?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
Will you check the loft?
If there’s a loft and safe access to it, yes. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that can’t be seen from outside.
What happens after the survey?
You will receive the report 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.
How long will you be on site?
It normally takes an hour or two for a house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. You’ll know roughly how long when we arrange the visit.
Will you check if gutters are causing damp inside?
The survey looks at whether rainwater is spilling onto the wall from overflows, leaking joints or loose downpipes. We can’t see inside the wall itself, so we report on what’s visible.
Can the survey be at a weekend?
Yes, we carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays as well as weekdays. To book, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Honest limits
It’s a careful look at the gutter, not the whole story. The main limits are:
- Whether a material contains asbestos (a specialist asbestos surveyor’s job)
- Damage hidden inside walls or behind boards
- What’s hidden inside a downpipe
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Hicks Forstal
- Fascias and soffits
- Outlets and hoppers
- Downpipes
- Eaves gutters
- Parapet and box gutters
- Valley gutters
Gutter surveys around Hicks Forstal
Hicks Forstal lies within about 3 miles of the sea, so there’s more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, while driving rain finds any gap. 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. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first.
Trees in and around Curtis Wood shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters, and blocked gutters overflow and soak walls. If you own a rental within reach of Sturry station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Hicks Forstal is about 2 miles south of Herne Bay, in Kent. We provide gutter surveys for householders, landlords and businesses in Hicks Forstal and the surrounding area. Hicks Forstal is one of the towns and villages in Kent we cover for gutter surveys.
All of CT3 is covered for gutter surveys. Close by, we survey roofs in Calcott (1 mile south-west), Herne Common (1 mile north), Knave's Ash (1 mile east), Herne (1 mile north) and Bullockstone (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (4 miles south-west), Margate (12 miles east), Dover (15 miles south-east), Ramsgate (12 miles east), Broadstairs (13 miles east) and Whitstable (4 miles west).
Landmarks near Hicks Forstal
Around Hicks Forstal, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Curtis Wood. Hicks Forstal’s nearest station is Sturry station, roughly 2.2 miles south of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find St Martins Hospital (3.9 miles south) and Canterbury Castle (4.6 miles south-west). The countryside around Hicks Forstal includes West Blean and Thornden Woods.
Places near Hicks Forstal
Also in Hicks Forstal
Landlords, agents and block managers in Hicks Forstal
Letting agents and landlords in Hicks Forstal book surveys as well as homeowners. The report gives you a dated record of the gutter, with photographs.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.
Why act early in Hicks Forstal
A written report gives you a dated record of the gutters’ condition, which helps when you plan work or brief a contractor. Without it, you’re relying on what can be seen from the pavement. In a small place like Hicks Forstal, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
To find out what your survey will cost, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details. We’ll confirm the figure before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Hicks Forstal
- Photos and a written report every time
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- Packages from £150, including VAT
- An independent look at the roof