Essex · London and the South East
Gutter Survey in Matching Green
A survey of gutters, valleys, outlets and downpipes for Matching Green, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Joints that drip after rain
- Overflowing eaves gutters
- Sagging gutters and loose brackets
DIY checks: what’s safe
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
How a gutter survey works in Matching Green
Damp on walls, water marks under a valley or streaks down the brickwork can often be traced to the gutters. Our gutter survey helps show whether the rainwater system is the cause, as far as can safely be seen. Where the cause looks more like the roof covering or a flashing, the report says so. The next step is suggested too. We survey fascias and soffits, parapet and box gutters and outlets and hoppers, and people most often book us about cracked or loose downpipes and brackets that have dropped or snapped.
Village roofs frequently face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A roof report shows what needs attention first. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are often where weather gets in first.
After the visit, you get a photo-illustrated written report, sent by email. It explains the condition of the gutter, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Matching Green (CM17)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What a survey costs
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- House, block, shop or office
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- The shape of the roof and its details
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. You’ll know the figure before booking.
What we need to know
We’ll normally ask about:
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Common roof problems in Matching Green
Most gutter joints rely on seals or sealant that wear out. Plastic gutters move with heat and cold, and in time their joints can drip. On cast iron, joints can rust and open up where the paint has failed.
We are often asked to look at:
- Water spilling over the gutter edge
- Fascia boards damaged by overflowing water
- Leaks at the gutter joints
- Brackets that have dropped or snapped
The streets around a church such as Parish Church of St Mary are often among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look.
Before you book anyone
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
- When you will get the report
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
FAQs for Matching Green
Is my home in Matching Green listed or in a conservation area?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Sawbridgeworth station?
Yes, rented property is part of what we cover. You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details.
Do you survey underground drains?
No, we don’t carry out CCTV drain surveys. The survey covers gutters, outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows and note any sign that the drains need checking.
Is Matching Green in your area?
Yes. We survey roofs in Matching Green and the rest of Essex, as part of our work across London and South East England. For a price, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Will you go up on the roof?
Only when it’s safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where it applies, a drone, and anything out of sight is recorded in the report.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We point out what can be seen, like sagging or deflection, but we do not carry out calculations or give an engineer’s opinion. If we think you need an engineer, the report says so.
How long will you be on site?
For a house, expect about 1–2 hours on site, and longer for larger or complex roofs.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client, photos included.
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Local roofs in Matching Green
The wider area around Matching Green has a long history of building, with Barrington Hall about 4.1 miles north. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years. Older buildings in Essex often have clay tiles and weatherboarding, with post-war and more recent estates making up much of the newer housing. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first.
If you let a flat or house near Sawbridgeworth station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints.
Matching Green is about 5 miles east of Harlow, in Essex. Roofs in Matching Green get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Essex. Across Essex, we cover Matching Green and the places around it. Our Chelmsford page covers surveys nearby.
Postcode districts we cover here for gutter surveys: CM17. We offer gutter surveys to properties on Downhall Road, Potash Road and Colvers and the roads around them. We also cover the places around Matching Green: Manwood Green (1 mile north-east), Little Laver (1 mile south-east), White Roding (2 miles north-east), Abbess Roding (2 miles east) and Moreton (3 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Chelmsford (11 miles east), Harlow (5 miles west), Brentwood (11 miles south), Billericay (13 miles south-east), Loughton (11 miles south-west) and Waltham Abbey (11 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in Matching Green
Matching Green’s nearest station is Sawbridgeworth station, roughly 3.8 miles north-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Harlow Mill (4.3 miles west) and Princess Alexandra Hospital (6 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Sawbridgeworth Marsh.
What a gutter survey does not cover
We only report whatever is safely visible on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- Underground drains, which need a CCTV drain survey
- The inside of a downpipe along its whole length
- Rot or damp concealed behind fascias or inside walls
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Valley gutters
- Fascias and soffits
- Eaves gutters
- Parapet and box gutters
- Outlets and hoppers
- Downpipes
What we do, step by step
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes an hour or two for most homes, and longer where there are parapet, valley or box gutters to follow. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Older roofs in small places like Matching Green can have low, tight loft spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- First, we agree the areas to focus on.
- Each gutter run is checked for blockages, sags and leaking joints.
- Outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows are inspected.
- We check fascias, soffits and walls for water damage.
- Findings are photographed and set out in a written report.
Getting ready for the survey
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Leave side gates unlocked
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
Arrange a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.