Medway · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Cliffe, Medway
Get a clear view of the leaking roof at a property in Cliffe from an independent roof surveyor. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
- Damp on a chimney breast
Before and after the survey
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Leave roof access to professionals
- Make sure the loft is accessible
- Mention earlier attempts to fix the leak
- Let us know if there are tanks or pipes in the loft
If the leak turns out to be condensation, the report says so, and suggest how the roof space could be better ventilated. It saves chasing a leak that is not there.
After a downpour, look in the loft space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Watch for water marks, wet underlay and damp wood. Take photos of anything that changes.
Roof leak investigation in Cliffe: what you get
Some leaks only appear in certain weather. Driving rain from one direction, melting snow or a gutter that overflows in a downpour can all set it off. Telling us when it happens helps a lot, along with any photos you’ve taken. We look for the clues it leaves behind, such as tide marks, stained timbers and damp underlay. Moisture detection shows which materials are still damp. We survey flat roof details, rooflights and dormers and chimney stacks, and people most often book us about damp patches next to the stack and condensation that looks like a leak.
Being in a small place like Cliffe makes no difference to how a leak or storm damage is looked at: the journey and access are just planned in advance. It’s useful to know where the water appears, in what weather, and what you’ve seen outside, along with any repairs done before. Photographs of the stain and of the roof from outside are helpful too.
If any part of the leaking roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Location
- Cliffe (ME3)
- Wider area
- Medway
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
For landlords and managing agents
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Roof leak investigations in Cliffe: local notes
Cliffe lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. In a coastal gale, rain is driven sideways into laps, verges and flashings, while salt slowly corrodes metal fixings and flashings. 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. You’ll also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in.
For landlords with property near Higham station, a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer straight away. Anyone responsible for a site like St Helen's Church of England Primary School will know that on a building that size, finding the source of a drip means looking well beyond the stain. For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Helen, old mortar, worn lead and slipped slates are the usual suspects when water gets in.
Cliffe is about 5 miles north of Rochester, in Medway. We survey roofs in Cliffe and the rest of Medway. Cliffe is one of the places in Medway we cover. Our Maidstone page covers surveys nearby.
Postcode districts we cover here for roof leak investigations: ME3. That includes homes and businesses on Station Road, St Helens Road and Chesterton Road. Other places close to Cliffe include Cliffe Woods (2 miles south), Church Street (2 miles south-west), Mockbeggar (3 miles south), Lower Higham (3 miles south-west) and Higham (4 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Gillingham (7 miles south-east), Chatham (7 miles south), Rochester (5 miles south), Rainham (8 miles south-east), Strood (5 miles south) and Luton (6 miles south).
Near you in Cliffe
We work in homes and buildings around The Evening Star pub, among other places. Cliffe’s nearest station is Higham station, about 2.6 miles south-west of the centre. A little further out are French Hospital (4.9 miles south) and Upnor Castle (3.8 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Gad's Hill and Thurrock Thameside Nature Park.
What we cannot see
Before booking, it’s worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- Putting the leak right
- Plumbing leaks that look like roof leaks
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will recommend the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
What we check
- Lead flashings
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Rooflights and dormers
- Valleys and parapet gutters
Can I check my roof myself?
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Nearby places to Cliffe
Also in Cliffe
FAQs for Cliffe
Is my home in Cliffe listed or in a conservation area?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you cover smaller places like Cliffe?
Yes, Cliffe is covered. Our area covers London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
How long does the visit take?
The visit usually takes about 1–2 hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. We will give you an idea of timing as you book.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Can you always find the source?
Not every leak can be pinned down in a single visit. Many leave clear signs, but some only appear in certain weather. The report sets out what we found and the most likely routes.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We note visible signs such as sagging or deflection, but we do not carry out calculations or give an engineer’s opinion. Where an engineer is needed, we say so in the report.
Is there anything I need to do before the visit?
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.
Why act early in Cliffe
Leaks tend to get worse, not better. Wind lifts loose slates further and gaps widen. Tracing it now lets you plan the work rather than react to it. In a place like Cliffe, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
There are three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
What you get with us
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Packages from £150, with VAT included
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- Over 20 years’ experience
The survey, step by step
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes about 1–2 hours for a house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Cottages and farmhouses around Cliffe often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- 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.
Before the survey
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Arrange a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and the days you’d prefer.