Kent · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Alkham, Kent
We take a careful look at the leaking roof at your property in Alkham, with photos and a written report.
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
Do you need a roof leak investigation in Alkham?
Condensation is often mistaken for a leak. Moist air from bathrooms and kitchens condenses on the cold underside of the roof, especially where ventilation is poor. Drips from nails and damp underlay are typical signs.
People normally book a survey when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
- Condensation that looks like a leak
Trees in and around Sladden Wood shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching.
Before you book anyone
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Are they insured for the work?
About our roof leak investigation in Alkham
We investigate roof leaks in Alkham and across London and South East England. Surveys are carried out on weekdays and at weekends. The investigation covers inside and out, from the stain to the likely entry points. The findings come in a written report with photos. If it is leaking right now, contain the water and keep it clear of electrics, and then ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. If you’ve noticed staining around the chimney inside and stains around a skylight, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
In a village or hamlet like Alkham, older cottages and farmhouses often have roofs that have been patched over many years. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, and the difference matters, particularly to an insurer. The report says what was seen and what it points to. Damp in old walls and timbers is slow to dry, so the sooner the cause is found the better.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Location
- Alkham (CT15)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Wind, rain and roofs in Alkham
The coast is about 3 miles or less from Alkham, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Driving rain off the sea can be pushed into gaps that stay dry in calmer weather, and salt air slowly wears metal fixings. Handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles hung on pegs through two holes, are typical of older Kent buildings. Oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of the county’s older buildings too. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in.
Take an older house close to Church of St Anthony the Martyr: the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself. Acrise Place lies about 3.9 miles west, so building around Alkham goes back a long way. On older roofs nearby, leaks often trace back to lead flashings, valleys and gutters.
Alkham is about 3 miles west of Dover, in Kent. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Alkham can all book roof leak investigations. Our Kent coverage includes Alkham and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Canterbury page.
All of CT15 is covered for roof leak investigations. You’ll find streets such as Alkham Valley Road, Hogbrook Hill Lane and Newlyn's Meadow, all of which we cover. Close by, we survey roofs in South Alkham (1 mile south-west), Chalksole Green (1 mile north-west), Ewell Minnis (1 mile north), Wolverton (1 mile north-east) and Drellingore (1 mile south-west). Larger places within reach include Ashford (15 miles west), Canterbury (12 miles north-west), Dover (3 miles east), Folkestone (4 miles south-west), Deal (9 miles north-east) and Hythe (8 miles south-west).
Around Alkham
In Alkham, that means homes and buildings near Sladden Wood and the streets around them. Alkham’s nearest station is Kearsney station, about 2.3 miles north-east. Well-known places in the area include Folkestone Castle (3.7 miles south-west) and Crabble Corn Mill (2.6 miles east). The countryside around Alkham includes Dover Western Heights and Sugar Loaf Hill.
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roof upstands and outlets
Flat roof water can travel under the covering before it shows. Where conditions allow, moisture readings and thermal imaging help narrow it down.
Lead flashings
A leak at a flashing often shows some way from the joint. We check every flashing that could feed the stain.
What happens on the day
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take roughly 1–2 hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. Rural addresses near Alkham can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We inspect inside and out, starting from the stain.
- Where it’s useful and included, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- The report explains the likely entry point and what needs attention.
Preparing for the visit
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Book a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will explain the options and the price.
Related advice
Alkham: your questions answered
Is my home in Alkham 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.
Do you cover smaller places like Alkham?
Yes, Alkham is covered. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
Is thermal imaging part of a leak investigation?
It can, when the conditions are right. It works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof surface and little wind. Damp areas can hold heat differently from dry ones. Its findings are confirmed with a moisture check.
Why is the stain in a different place from the leak?
Because water travels. It runs along rafters, battens or underlay before it drips, so the entry point is often well away from the mark. That’s why we trace the route rather than patching above the stain.
Will you walk on the roof?
Not always. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where applicable let us see the rest, and the report records anything we couldn’t see.
Will you check the loft?
If the survey needs it and the roof space can be reached safely, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where applicable and safe. We fly a sub-250g drone and we are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). It’s included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where applicable, the Premium Survey.
How we price roof leak investigations
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- Height and safe access
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, how it can safely be seen and the package you choose.
What we need to know
A few details help us suggest the right survey and price. When you contact us, tell us:
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Anything about access we should know
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or send us an email. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.
More services for Alkham
What this survey can’t tell you
This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- Plumbing leaks that look like roof leaks
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
What we look at
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks
- Rooflights and dormers
- Lead flashings
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Slate and tile slopes
Useful tips for Alkham property owners
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Keep a photo record of the damp patch
- Note the weather when the leak shows
- Tell us about any past repairs to the roof
Your report arrives by email, with photos of what we found. It explains the likely entry point, the route the water takes and our recommendations. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day.
Have leaves and moss cleared from gutters, valleys and outlets, ideally once the leaves have fallen. Blocked outlets on parapet and flat roofs cause many leaks. Use a professional rather than climbing up yourself.