Greater London · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Addington, Greater London
Roof leak investigations across Addington, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. You get a clear report with photos.
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Leaks below a flat extension roof
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
About our roof leak investigation in Addington
Flat roofs leak in their own ways. Common causes are splits and blisters, tired upstands and outlets that do not drain. Standing water puts extra pressure on every weak point. We check the roof surface and the ceiling below to narrow it down. Leaks under flat extension, garage and dormer roofs are common. Felt frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, so age is part of the picture. We are often asked to look into staining around the chimney inside and water dripping from rafters or underlay, across valleys and parapet gutters, rooflights and dormers and slate and tile slopes.
Many London homes are well over a century old and their roofs have been patched more than once, so a new leak can be the latest sign of wear rather than a single event. Telling wear from a one-off event matters, because insurers normally exclude wear and tear. That’s as true in Addington as anywhere in London. Photographs and a written account give you something specific to show an insurer, a landlord or a roofer.
Findings are set out part by part, from the coverings down to the gutters, with a note and a photo for each point. You will see the good as well as the bad.
- Where
- Addington (CR0, CR2, BR4)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
You do not need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes between one and two hours at most homes; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Many London properties are flats or terraces with no side access, so rear slopes are viewed from windows, the loft or, where a flight is allowed, by drone. Mention any building rules, key holders or managing agents when you book.
- You tell us where the water appears, when, and what the weather was doing.
- Inside, we look at the stain and the ceiling around it.
- From the roof space, we trace the water’s route where there’s safe access.
- Outside, we check flashings, valleys, chimneys, gutters and flat roof details from each safe vantage point.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Arrange a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The price is agreed before a date is set.
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Common roof problems in Addington
Flashings are one of the commonest sources of roof leaks. Where a roof meets a chimney, a wall or a dormer, lead or mortar seals the joint. Once that seal cracks or lifts, water gets behind it.
People usually book a survey after spotting one of these:
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
- Staining around the chimney inside
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
If you look after a building such as Applegarth Academy, a leak through a large roof is frequently found some distance from where the water shows inside.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- What exactly goes into their report
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- Their report turnaround times
Landlord and commercial surveys in Addington
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work around your tenants.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Addington and across Greater London can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Prices for roof leak investigations in Addington
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The size of the roof
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Booking your survey
We’ll usually ask about:
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Dates you are working to, like exchange
- The address and postcode of the property
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there is time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply call 07833 053749 or send us an email whenever suits you.
Towns and villages near Addington
Also in Addington
Roof leak investigations in Addington: local notes
Addington Palace, about 0.4 miles west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Addington. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs. Alongside Victorian and Edwardian terraces, outer London has a great many interwar semis, often with hipped roofs of clay or concrete tiles. If your home in Addington is one of them, bay roofs, hips and later dormers each have their own details. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it is detailed.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Mary, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself. If you run a business near St George's Walk, a quick answer on where water is coming in keeps a business running.
Addington is about 3 miles south-east of Ashburton, in Greater London. We cover Addington and the rest of Greater London. We cover towns and villages across Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for London.
Postcode districts we cover here for roof leak investigations: CR0, CR2 and BR4. We cover properties on Lodge Lane, Falconwood Road and Addington Village Road. We also cover Coney Hall (1 mile north), Forestdale (1 mile south), Spring Park (1 mile north), New Addington (1 mile south-east) and Selsdon (1 mile south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover London (10 miles north), City of Westminster (12 miles north-west), Marylebone (12 miles north-west), Kensington (12 miles north-west), St Pancras (12 miles north) and Shoreditch (12 miles north).
Landmarks near Addington
We work in homes and buildings around Addington Park and John Ruskin College. The nearest railway station is West Wickham station, about 1.7 miles north-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include National Psychosis Unit (1.6 miles north) and St George's Walk (3.1 miles west). Open spaces near Addington include Bramley Bank and Duppas Hill.
How the survey changes by roof type
Lead flashings
Mortar fillets are sometimes used instead of lead. Fillets crack and pull away over time, letting rain run behind the joint.
Flat roof upstands and outlets
Each flat roof relies on its outlets to drain. A blocked outlet leaves water standing, which tests every joint. Outlets and the area around them are looked at.
Questions from Addington
Is my home in Addington listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Can parking be tricky for a visit in Addington?
It depends on the street. If Addington has controlled parking where you are, a visitor permit is the easiest answer.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing are not part of what we do. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, like cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings, and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
Is there anything I need to do before the visit?
Keep a note of when it leaks, and take photos. Move stored items away from the loft hatch. If water is near any fittings, have an electrician check them.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it is safe. Safety comes first, and fragile or steep roofs can’t always be walked on. We use safe viewpoints, the loft space and a drone where applicable, and the report records anything we couldn’t see.
Can you always find the source?
We can’t promise it. Water can travel a long way, and some leaks only show in particular storms. Where the source is not certain, we list the likely routes in order.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We check the parts we’re given access to.
Tips that help
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. A few suggestions:
- Let us know what has already been tried
- Keep a photo record of the damp patch
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Do not climb onto the roof to look
If condensation is the cause, we explain it, and suggest how the loft space could be better ventilated. That avoids roof work that wouldn’t help.
After a downpour, look in the loft space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Look for drips, damp patches and stains on timbers. Take photos of anything that changes.