West Berkshire · London and the South East
New roof snagging in Wash Common, West Berkshire
Checking a new or replacement roof for snags in Wash Common, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photos.
- Gutters blocked by building debris
- Gaps at new flashings
- Ridge and hip tiles not properly fixed
How it works
The visit normally starts outside and finishes in the loft: outside views come first, then the roof space if there is safe access. In total, it takes about one to two hours for most houses, and longer for a large or complex roof. Homes around Wash Common often have gardens on more than one side, which gives us room to step back and see the roof. Mention any side of the property we can’t get to. Inside, the loft is looked at where it can be reached safely.
- We start by finding out what was replaced and what worries you.
- We look at the tiles or slates, ridges, hips and verges from safe vantage points.
- Valleys, flashings, gutters and the underlay at the eaves are looked at.
- Where it is safe, we check the loft, then look for debris or damage left behind.
- The snags are written up with photos for you to share with your roofer.
Preparing for the visit
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
How to book
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or email us, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Related advice
New roof snagging in Wash Common
Building work can leave a mess behind. We look for broken tiles, offcuts and nails left in gutters and on lower roofs, and for damage to other parts of the building. Each item is photographed. Gutters full of offcuts can overflow in the next heavy rain, and cracked lower roofs can leak. It’s easier to raise them while the job is fresh. We’re often asked to look into poorly finished verges and flashings not properly dressed or fixed, on ridges and verges, flashings and valleys and loft conversions and dormers.
Around Wash Common, you’ll mostly find houses and bungalows of different ages. Older roofs may still have their original slates or clay tiles, with fixings and underlay that have done a long stint. Whether you are buying or have just had the roof replaced, that hidden layer is worth knowing about. Breathable membranes only appeared in the late 1990s, so older roofs often have bitumen felt or nothing at all.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets, each with a short note and a photo. You will see the good as well as the bad.
- Where
- Wash Common (RG14, RG20)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Honest limits
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Details hidden from sight
- Nails and clips under the slates or tiles
- Repair costs for putting snags right
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roof types and parts we check
- New-build homes
- Flashings and valleys
- Ridges and verges
- New flat roofs
- Loft conversions and dormers
- Replacement roofs
Wash Common homes and their roofs
Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about. About 2.4 miles north-west lies Benham Park, a reminder of how long the area around Wash Common has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you own a rental within reach of Newbury station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Wash Common is about 2 miles south-west of Newbury, in West Berkshire. From houses to flats and shops in Wash Common, we can survey the roof. We cover towns and villages across West Berkshire. There’s also a page for Reading.
Postcode districts we cover here for new roof snagging: RG14 and RG20. Whether your property is on Battle Road, Stuart Road and Warren Road or a nearby road, we can help. We also cover the places around Wash Common: Wash Water (1 mile south-west), Enborne Row (1 mile south-west), Skinners Green (1 mile north-west), Newtown Common (1 mile south-east) and Sandleford (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Thatcham (4 miles north-east), Burghfield Common (12 miles east), Hungerford (8 miles west), Calcot (14 miles east), Lambourn (12 miles north-west) and Shaw (3 miles north-east).
Around Wash Common
We work in homes and buildings around Horris Hill School, Park House School and The Gun pub. For rail, the closest station is Newbury station, roughly 1.8 miles north-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include British Balloon Museum & Library Ltd (2 miles north-east) and Hamstead Marshall 2 (2.7 miles north-west). Not far away are Sidown Hill and Audrey's Meadow.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Specific, photographed snags are easier to discuss than a vague worry. It keeps the focus on what can be seen. Blocked gutters on homes around Wash Common overflow and soak walls, especially where trees overhang. Dealing with the cause is simple; drying out a wall is not.
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how it can be reached and seen safely. Our price is from £150, including VAT.
What you get with us
- Visits on any day of the week
- Every finding written up with photos
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- Over 20 years’ experience
See our cost guide and our case studies.
Your questions about new roof snagging in Wash Common
Is my home in Wash Common 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.
Is Wash Common within the area you cover?
Yes, Wash Common is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Will you walk on the roof?
Not unless it is safe. Safe viewpoints, the loft space and a drone where it applies cover most of what’s needed, and anything out of sight is recorded in the report.
Are you insured?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability, and details are available on request.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. If the conditions are not right, we’ll talk to you about another date.
How much time does a snagging visit need?
Most house visits take about 1–2 hours with commercial roofs nearer 3–4 hours.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it is applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We are a CAA-registered drone operator.
Different roofs, different checks
Flashings
Flashings around chimney stacks are a common weak point and are checked closely.
Clay and concrete tiles
Tiles that do not sit flat can let rain in. We note any that look out of place.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: 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.
Also near Wash Common
More services for Wash Common
When to book a survey in Wash Common
Even good roofers can leave snags at the end of a job. Fiddly details are often where things go wrong, especially when the weather is against them.
Problems we come across frequently include:
- Signs of condensation in the loft space
- Cracked mortar at the ridge or hips
- Damage to other parts of the building
- Offcuts and broken tiles left behind
The streets around a church such as St Luke Church are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Their insurance cover
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- How soon the report will arrive