Surrey · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Capel, Surrey
Roof leak investigations in Capel from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Brown rings on upstairs ceilings
What happens on the day
On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. After that, we look at everything we can see safely, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where applicable. The survey usually takes about one to two hours on an ordinary house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Rural addresses near Capel 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.
- You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- We agree a date, including weekends.
- 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.
Getting ready for the survey
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Book a survey
We confirm the price for the job before you book, so you know the cost up front. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Capel
Water is good at hiding where it gets in. It can run along a rafter, a batten or the underlay before it drips, so the stain on your ceiling is seldom right under the hole. We follow it back towards where it starts. A repair aimed only at the stain can miss the cause entirely. Finding the route first lets the repair go where it is needed. We survey valleys and parapet gutters, chimney stacks and lead flashings, and common reasons people get in touch are wet patches high on an inside wall and ceiling stains that grow after rain.
Somewhere as small as Capel, older roofs have often been repaired many times. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, which matters if you’re thinking of an insurance claim. We check whatever is safely visible and set out what we find. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it’s worth finding the cause soon.
After the visit, you get a photo-illustrated written report, sent by email. It sets out the condition of the leaking roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Location
- Capel (RH5)
- Region
- Surrey
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Leave it or get it looked at?
Patching the spot above the stain often does not work. The real way in may be a metre or more away. We find the probable source before anyone starts work. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Capel, driving rain gets into any weakness, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
We offer three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you need to know.
Why book with us
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Packages from £150, inc. VAT
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.
Do you need a roof leak investigation in Capel?
Many leaks begin at a flashing. Lead or mortar closes the gap wherever a roof meets a wall, chimney or dormer. When lead lifts or splits, or a mortar fillet cracks, rain runs straight in, often well away from where it shows.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed one of these:
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
Anyone responsible for a site like Scott Broadwood CofE Infant School will know that water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot.
Before you book anyone
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Is VAT included in the price?
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
- Which limits apply to the survey
Should I look at the roof myself first?
You can learn a lot from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Capel
If your home is older, it is worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Listed building consent covers changes to a listed building’s special interest, and an Article 4 direction can bring extra controls in a conservation area. In Surrey, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, with tile-hanging on many upper walls. A few of Surrey’s oldest buildings have heavy Horsham stone slab roofs. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in.
The streets around a church such as Church of St John the Baptist are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself. Landlords with a home close to Ockley station may find that tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it.
Capel is about 5 miles south of Dorking, in Surrey. Anywhere in Capel, we can carry out roof leak investigations at your property. Our area takes in places right across Surrey. You can also see our page for Crawley.
All of RH5 is covered for roof leak investigations, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you need a roof leak investigation at a property on The Street, Laundry Way and Bakers Way or a nearby road, we can survey it. If you’re just outside Capel, we cover Ockley (2 miles west), Beare Green (2 miles north), Paynes Green (2 miles south-west), Kingsfold (2 miles south) and Holmwood Corner (3 miles north). Larger places within reach include Guildford (13 miles north-west), Epsom (13 miles north), Horley (7 miles east), Redhill (9 miles north-east), Ewell (14 miles north) and Reigate (8 miles north-east).
What’s near Capel
The closest station to Capel is Ockley station, about 0.6 miles west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Horsham Hospital (5.6 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Leith Hill and Warnham LNR.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Capel
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
More services for Capel
What this survey can’t tell you
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Leaks from plumbing, tanks or pipework rather than the roof
- A structural engineer’s report
- Putting the leak right
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will tell you. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
- Lead flashings
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
- Slate and tile slopes
- Rooflights and dormers
Common questions in Capel
Do you carry out roof surveys in Capel?
Yes, Capel is within the area we cover. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and let us know about the property.
How do I find out if my home in Capel is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it is applicable. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
Can you trace a leak in dry weather?
Typically, yes. Moisture detection shows where materials are damp even on a dry day. If a leak only appears in driving rain from one direction, we’ll tell you what we found and what’s most likely.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning. Tell us about it as you book and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Can every leak be traced?
We cannot 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.
How soon will I get the report?
Report times are set by the package. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. Mention any deadline when booking.