Kent · London and the South East
Saltwood Gutter Survey
A careful look at the gutter at your property in Saltwood, with photos and a written report.
- Hoppers and outlets full of debris
- Joints that drip after rain
- Water spilling over the gutter edge
Should I look at the roof myself first?
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way. That part is for a survey.
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight.
How a gutter survey works in Saltwood
Gutters have to slope gently towards the outlet to drain properly. Sagging brackets and slipped joints leave water standing and overflowing where the gutter dips. We look along each run for sags, gaps and leaking joints, along with the brackets and downpipe fixings. You get written recommendations, prioritised by urgency where relevant. If you’re worried about soffits marked by water and hoppers and outlets full of debris, we can find out what’s behind it.
Somewhere as small as Saltwood, homes are frequently older cottages and farmhouses, with outbuildings and some newer houses. Older roofs may be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, frequently with chimneys that have stood a long time. We report on everything that’s safely in view, and thatch is a specialist material. On older roofs, it is usually the chimneys and lead flashings that need work first.
If any part of the gutter couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Where
- Saltwood (CT21)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Common questions in Saltwood
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Saltwood?
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 Saltwood is within about 1 mile of the coast.
How do I find out if my home in Saltwood is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Is there a good time of year to book a gutter survey?
You can book at any time of year. Before the wetter months gives you time to plan any work though problems often show up after heavy rain.
Do you survey at weekends?
Yes, weekend visits are possible as well as weekdays. Just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form to arrange it.
Do you need to get into the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there is safe access. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement, as far as the space allows.
Do you cover Saltwood?
Yes. We survey roofs in Saltwood and the rest of Kent. To book, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Will the survey check for asbestos?
No, that is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. On buildings from before 2000, we flag materials that could contain it so you can arrange that check.
Gutter surveys in Saltwood: local notes
The coast is about 1 mile or less from Saltwood, 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, while driving rain finds any gap. Across Kent, older roofs are frequently handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. Oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of the county’s older buildings too. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
Trees in and around Brockhill Country Park shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters, and blocked gutters overflow and soak walls. If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Church of St Peter and St Paul, corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs.
Saltwood is about 1 mile north of Hythe, in Kent. Whether the building in Saltwood is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. Saltwood is one of the towns and villages in Kent where we work. For surveys nearby, see our Canterbury page.
Here we cover the CT21 postcode area for gutter surveys. Local streets include Old Saltwood Lane, The Green and Bartholomew Lane, all of which we cover. Nearby, we also carry out gutter surveys in Hythe (1 mile south), Sandling (1 mile north-west), Pedlinge (1 mile west), Palmarsh (2 miles south-west) and Newingreen (2 miles west). We also work in nearby towns such as Ashford (10 miles north-west), Canterbury (14 miles north), Dover (10 miles north-east), Folkestone (4 miles east), Tower Hamlets (10 miles east) and Hawkinge (4 miles north-east).
Around Saltwood
Typical jobs here are in homes near Brockhill Park Performing Arts College, Brockhill Country Park and Red Lion Public House and the streets around them. Saltwood’s nearest station is Sandling station, about 0.9 miles north-west. Other landmarks nearby include Royal Victoria Hospital (4.1 miles east) and Hythe Museum (0.8 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Tolsford Hill.
Before and after the survey
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Have gutters cleared at least once a year
- Check for spilling water in a downpour
- Do not climb a ladder to look in the gutters
- Watch ceilings under valley gutters for fresh marks
If we think the problem lies underground, we will say so, so a drain survey can be arranged. We also note anything else we spot on the roof while we’re there.
Have your gutters cleared at least once a year, and more often if trees overhang the roof. Late autumn, after the leaves have fallen, is a sensible time. Clear gutters can carry water away as they should.
Do you need a gutter survey in Saltwood?
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 lets weeds take root.
Common reasons to book include:
- Downpipes that are split or coming away
- Soffits marked by water
- Joints that drip after rain
- Gutters packed with leaves or moss
Landlords with a home close to Sandling station may find that the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at.
Before booking anyone
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Their report turnaround times
- What exactly goes into their report
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
What happens on the day
We check the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the loft space too. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging. The whole visit typically takes roughly 1–2 hours at a house, depending on how many gutter runs and downpipes there are. For a village or hamlet like Saltwood, the journey is planned in advance: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. On the day, we inspect what can be seen safely, inside and out.
- We agree which parts of the building you are most worried about.
- Each gutter run is checked for blockages, sags and leaking joints.
- We check the outlets, hoppers, downpipes and any overflows.
- We check fascias, soffits and walls for water damage.
- Findings are photographed and set out in a written report.
Preparing for the visit
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
Booking a survey
Once you know what you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.
Related advice
Towns and villages near Saltwood
Other services in Saltwood
What we cannot see
No survey can tell you everything, and it is better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- Gutters out of sight from every safe viewpoint
- Blockages deep inside downpipes
- Rot or damp concealed behind fascias or inside walls
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What we check
- Fascias and soffits
- Eaves gutters
- Valley gutters
- Outlets and hoppers
- Parapet and box gutters
- Downpipes
How the survey changes by roof type
Lead-lined valley and parapet gutters
Lead linings are common in valleys and parapet gutters on older houses. A split lining can leak straight into the building.
Aluminium and other metal gutters
Aluminium and other metal gutters are used on many newer and commercial buildings. Joints, outlets and fixings are the parts we focus on.