Hampshire · London and the South East
Clayhall Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Clayhall from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Clayhall
Older homes often have roofs that have been patched over the years. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. Our survey picks it out, with photos so you can see it for yourself. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you are buying. We are often asked to look into slates or tiles that have slipped or gone and cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing, across natural slate, the roof space and gutters and downpipes.
Bungalows, chalet bungalows and older cottages are common in smaller places like Clayhall, many of them extended or given dormers over the years. Even on a low roof, dormers, valleys and flat-roofed additions need a careful look. The same goes for a purchase or a new roof around Clayhall. Snags and wear both tend to show at dormer lead work and along flat-roof edges.
We write the report in plain English, so you do not need to be a roofer to follow it. Photographs show what each point refers to, with the urgent items made clear.
- Where
- Clayhall (PO12)
- Region
- Hampshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in Clayhall
Many roofs have had quick fixes over the years. Bitumen over flashings, mortar fillets in place of lead and odd replacement tiles can point to a problem that keeps coming back. Our report records them so you can ask the seller what was done and when.
A survey can pick up problems like:
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
Landlords with a home close to Portsmouth Harbour station may find that the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- What experience they bring
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Whether VAT is added on top
- What exactly goes into their report
How it works
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, photograph what we find and make notes for the report. Most visits take about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Parking around Clayhall is normally easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. Low roofs on bungalows can often be seen well from the ground, and the loft shows the rest, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where applicable.
- You get in touch after your offer is agreed, with the address and your target exchange date.
- We agree a time and how we will get in, including the loft.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, inside and out.
- Each part of the roof is examined and photographed.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Jot down any questions you want answered
How to book
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. To book or ask a question, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Roof by roof
Chimney stacks
A stack stands exposed above the roof line. The pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings are all checked.
Gutters and parapets
Some older terraces have a butterfly roof with a central valley gutter. If the home you are buying has one, that gutter and its outlet get a careful look.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Once you exchange, the roof’s problems become yours. Before then, you can still ask questions, ask for work to be done or reconsider. A survey after you’ve moved in tells you the same things, but with far less room to act on them. In an older home around Clayhall, water from a roof defect can get into timber and plaster, and that’s a much bigger job than the original defect.
Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the size and height of the roof, access and which survey you book.
What you get with us
- Surveys seven days a week
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Also near Clayhall
More services for Clayhall
Clayhall questions
Is the coastal weather around Clayhall hard on roofs?
Often, yes. Clayhall is within about 1 mile of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
How do I find out if my home in Clayhall is listed?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
How long will you be at the property?
The visit typically takes an hour or two for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. We will confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
Is Clayhall in your area?
Yes. We survey roofs in Clayhall and the rest of Hampshire. To book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the survey around it.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
It depends on the roof and how confident you want to be. Home surveys sometimes suggest a closer look at the roof, and that’s where a roof survey helps. It isn’t a replacement for a RICS survey.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Honest limits
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
- A structural engineer’s report
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
What we check
- Chimney stacks
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Natural slate
- The roof space
What you can safely check yourself
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
What a pre-purchase roof survey looks like in Clayhall
Clayhall is within about 1 mile of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Corroded clips and nails and lifted ridge pieces are typical of exposed roofs near the sea, which is worth knowing before you buy or pay for new work. Thatch survives on some older buildings in Hampshire’s villages. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
For an older house near a landmark like St Francis, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Clayhall is about 2 miles south-east of Gosport, in Hampshire. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Clayhall and nearby. Clayhall is one of the places in Hampshire where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: PO12. Local streets include The Lane, Old Road and Fort Road, all of which we cover. If you are just outside Clayhall, we cover Haslar (1 mile south-east), Alverstoke (1 mile west), Portsmouth Point (1 mile north-east), Privett (1 mile north-west) and Portsea (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Havant (8 miles north-east), Fareham (6 miles north-west), Horndean (10 miles north-east), Hedge End (12 miles north-west), Waterlooville (8 miles north-east) and Purbrook (7 miles north-east).
Near you in Clayhall
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Bay House School, The Fighting Cocks pub and St Vincent College, among other places. Clayhall’s nearest station is Portsmouth Harbour station, roughly 1.4 miles north-east. Well-known places in the area include Gosport War Memorial Hospital (1 mile north-west) and Search (0.9 miles north). The countryside around Clayhall includes West of the River Alver.