Greater London · London and the South East
Smithfield Gutter Survey
Gutter surveys in Smithfield and the rest of Greater London. Surveys run on any day of the week.
- Overflowing valley or parapet gutters
- Hoppers and outlets full of debris
- Dripping or leaking gutter joints
Gutter surveys for homes and businesses in Smithfield
This survey covers rainwater above ground, from the gutters down to where the downpipes meet the ground. It is not a CCTV drain survey, so we can’t see inside underground pipes. 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. Typical surveys look at downpipes that are split or coming away and overflowing eaves gutters, on parapet and box gutters, valley gutters and outlets and hoppers.
Victorian and Edwardian terraces are found right across London, often with slate roofs, chimney stacks shared with neighbours and gutters hidden behind parapets. Slates can last a century or more, but the nails holding them corrode, and slates slip. Homes in Smithfield are no exception. Lead flashings and shared chimney stacks on these houses need a close look too.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.
- Location
- Smithfield (EC1V, EC1P, EC1R)
- Wider area
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Fascias and soffits
Some older soffits may contain asbestos. We flag any that could be for a specialist asbestos surveyor to check.
Cast iron gutters
Cast iron tends to fail at the joints and fixings. We note corrosion, cracks and leaking joints as far as we can see them.
Gutter surveys around Smithfield
Many homes in inner London are Victorian and Edwardian terraces, often with Welsh slate roofs. Many have butterfly roofs draining to a central valley gutter, with parapet walls and gutters hidden behind them. Lead flashings, party-wall upstands and shared chimney stacks are typical of these houses, if yours is one of them. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters. About 0.3 miles south-west lies Dr Johnson's House, a reminder of how long the area around Smithfield has been built on. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Charterhouse Square School, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. Landlords with a home close to Farringdon station may find that knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints. If you look after a shop, office or commercial unit, for example near Gabriel's Wharf, a written record of the roof’s condition helps you plan maintenance rather than react to leaks.
Smithfield is about 1 mile north of London, in Greater London. Wherever you are in Smithfield, we can come and survey your property. Our Greater London coverage includes Smithfield and the places around it.
Postcode districts we cover here for gutter surveys: EC1V, EC1P and EC1R. Local streets include Oat Lane, Shoe Lane and Long Lane, all of which we cover. Being close to the A1 and A4, Smithfield is simple for us to get to for gutter surveys. Other places close to Smithfield include Farringdon (1 mile north), Blackfriars (1 mile south), Holborn (1 mile west), Temple Bar (1 mile south-west) and Clerkenwell (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include Kensington (4 miles west), Walthamstow (6 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west), Brompton (3 miles south-west) and Stockwell (4 miles south).
Landmarks near Smithfield
We work in homes and buildings around London Nautical School, Barts Health Archives and St Alban's Church of England Primary School, among other places. Nearby too are St Mary-at-Hill (1 mile south-east), Oriole pub (within half a mile south-west) and Postman's Park (under half a mile south-east). There’s a railway station in Smithfield itself: Farringdon station. Other landmarks nearby include Montfichet's Tower (within half a mile south) and Postal Museum (less than half a mile south-east). The countryside around Smithfield includes Ludgate Hill and St. James's Park Lake.
How it works
We don’t take risks to get a closer look. Everything that can safely be seen is inspected, and if part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. Most visits take about 1–2 hours for most houses, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Surveys in Smithfield can be booked for any day of the week. London parking is often by permit or pay-and-display, so it helps to know what’s near you. Upstairs rooms at the back are useful too, as they often give the best view of a rear addition.
- We agree which parts of the building you are most worried about.
- We look along each run for debris, sagging and drips.
- Outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows are inspected.
- Fascias, soffits and the walls below are looked at for signs of overflow.
- You get photos and written recommendations, prioritised where relevant.
How to prepare
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Let us know about parking before the day
Booking a survey
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We’ll confirm the price before you book.
Advice
Nearby places to Smithfield
Also in Smithfield
Useful tips for Smithfield property owners
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:
- Note any damp stains below the gutters
- Look for downpipes coming loose
- Check for spilling water in a downpour
- Have overhanging branches cut back
How quickly the report arrives depends on the package: within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. It is sent to you by email as soon as it is ready.
Get small faults like a dripping joint or loose downpipe sorted quickly. Left alone, they usually grow, and the water they spill can damage walls and timber.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
It helps to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when you book and it will help the survey.
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That’s where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
Why get it checked now?
Going up a ladder to check your own gutters carries real risk. From ground level you can spot drips and overflows but hidden gutters are another matter. We inspect as far as it is safe to see and put it in writing. Many older London roofs have only old felt under the slates, or no underlay at all, so once the slates or flashings let water past, little stops it reaching ceilings. Left unchecked, water soaks into timber and plaster and the damage spreads.
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how safely it can be seen. Our price is from £150, including VAT.
Why book us in Smithfield
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Visits on any day of the week
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
Smithfield questions
Is my home in Smithfield listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
I let a flat near Farringdon station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and letting agents book with us as well as owners. You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and a few details.
Is a Saturday or Sunday visit possible?
Yes, weekend visits are possible as well as weekdays. Just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email to arrange it.
Are you insured?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you’ll need a RICS survey as well.
Do you survey underground drains?
No, CCTV drain work is not part of this survey. The survey covers gutters, outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows and note any sign that the drains need checking.
When does the report arrive?
That depends on the survey you book: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day. Reports are sent by email.
What we cannot see
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- Rot or damp concealed behind fascias or inside walls
- Asbestos testing of old gutters, downpipes or soffits
- Underground drains, which need a CCTV drain survey
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roofs we survey in Smithfield
- Eaves gutters
- Outlets and hoppers
- Fascias and soffits
- Parapet and box gutters
- Valley gutters
- Downpipes