Kent · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Burlings
Roof leak investigations in Burlings and the rest of Kent. Surveys run on any day of the week.
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
Roof leak investigation in Burlings
Leaks tend to begin where one part of a roof meets another. Flashings at chimneys and walls, valleys, gutters, parapets and flat roof upstands and outlets are the usual suspects. Each of these is checked in turn and we follow where the evidence leads. Chimneys, dormers and roof lights each add joints of their own. We check all of them, from each safe vantage point. If you’re worried about a leak that comes and goes with the weather and wet patches high on an inside wall, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Somewhere as small as Burlings, older roofs have often been repaired many times. A new leak may be fresh damage or the latest sign of long-term wear, which matters if you are thinking of an insurance claim. The report says what was seen and what it points to. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it’s worth finding the cause soon.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Burlings (TN14)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Burlings questions
How do I find out if my home in Burlings is listed?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it is in a conservation area. 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 carry out roof surveys in Burlings?
Yes. We work right across London and South East England, and Burlings is part of that. You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and a few details.
Do you use thermal imaging to find leaks?
Thermal imaging is used where it is useful, and it’s part of the Premium Survey. It shows temperature differences, not water itself, so we confirm its findings with moisture readings.
What should I do before you arrive?
Note when the leak appears and what the weather was doing. Move stored items away from the loft hatch. Keep away from any light or socket that water is reaching.
What happens next?
The report comes by email, and what you do next is up to you: use it with a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent.
What does the report include?
A photo-illustrated written report, covering the condition of the leaking roof, the defects we found and what we recommend, by urgency where it matters. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check, and the Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable and structural analysis.
When does the report arrive?
The Premium Survey report comes the same day, the Standard within 24–48 hours and the Basic within 48 hours. Each one is emailed, ready to forward.
Nearby places to Burlings
Other services in Burlings
How we price roof leak investigations
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before you book. These are the things that affect it:
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
For a price for your roof in Burlings, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and a few details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Getting in touch
Before you get in touch, it’s useful to have:
- The address and postcode of the property
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- What made you get in touch
We confirm the price for your survey before booking, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £150, including VAT. To book, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
What you can safely check yourself
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date.
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. Do not go up yourself.
What we can’t see
A survey is a careful look at the leaking roof, but it cannot do everything. The main limits are:
- A structural engineer’s report
- Leaks from plumbing, tanks or pipework rather than the roof
- What’s under the covering or behind the plaster
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Slate and tile slopes
- Chimney stacks
- Rooflights and dormers
- Flat roof details
- Lead flashings
- The roof space
Practical tips
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Mention any plumbing above the damp area
- Keep water away from lights and sockets
- Leave roof access to professionals
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
Any roofer you ask to quote can work from the report. The photos show the defects and where they are, so the repair is aimed at the cause.
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. Leave the clearing to someone with the right equipment.
Wind, rain and roofs in Burlings
Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. 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. With Down House about 2.2 miles north-west, Burlings sits in an area with a long building history. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near St Katharine's Church, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself. For landlords with property near Knockholt station, tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it. Take a building like Charles Darwin School: tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back.
Burlings is about 5 miles north-west of Sevenoaks, in Kent. Surveys in Burlings work the same way as everywhere we cover: a close look at whatever is safely visible, photos and a clear written report. Our Kent coverage includes Burlings and the places around it. We also survey roofs in London.
All of TN14 is within our area for roof leak investigations. Close by, we survey roofs in Horns Green (1 mile south-west), Cudham (1 mile north-west), Berry's Green (1 mile west), Single Street (1 mile north-west) and Luxted (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Dartford (11 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (5 miles south-east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (14 miles south-east), Gravesend (15 miles north-east), Tonbridge (11 miles south-east) and Northfleet (14 miles north-east).
Landmarks near Burlings
We work in homes and buildings around The Blacksmith's Arms and the streets around them. The closest station to Burlings is Knockholt station, about 3 miles north-east. Well-known places in the area include Orpington Hospital (3.6 miles north). Open spaces near Burlings include Downe Bank and Betsom's Hill.
What we do, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. We inspect whatever is safely visible, and anything we cannot see is noted in the report. Most visits take roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. Somewhere as small as Burlings, access is often the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You tell us where the water appears, when, and what the weather was doing.
- We examine the damp area and the rooms near it.
- In the loft, we follow any signs of water back towards the roof.
- Outside, we check flashings, valleys, chimneys, gutters and flat roof details from each safe vantage point.
- We email a written report showing where the water most likely gets in.
Getting ready for the survey
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the freeholder or managing agent
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Getting a price
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email, let us know about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
Roof by roof
Parapet and box gutters
Parapet and box gutters sit behind walls or inside the roof. A blocked outlet sends water over the lining and into the building.
Valleys
Leaves and moss build up in valleys and hold water back. In heavy rain, it can spill under the edges of the slates or tiles.