Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Combe, Oxfordshire
Roof leak investigations in Combe from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
Roof leak investigation in Combe: what you get
A leak that comes and goes can be the hardest to pin down. Wind-driven rain, an overflowing gutter or snow melt may be what triggers it. Telling us when it happens helps a lot, along with any photos you’ve taken. Even on a dry day, a leak normally leaves clues: stained timbers, tide marks and damp underlay. Moisture readings show where materials are still wet. If you’ve noticed staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall and water that shows only in certain storms, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
In a village or hamlet like Combe, older cottages and farmhouses frequently have roofs that have been patched over many years. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, which matters if you’re 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.
Nothing in the report is left vague: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, along with how urgent it is.
- Location
- Combe (OX29)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof leak investigations in Combe: local notes
Blenheim Palace, about 1.9 miles east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Combe. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Older buildings in west Oxfordshire often have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in.
If you own a rental within reach of Combe station, tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Combe CofE Primary School, on a building that size, finding the source of a drip means looking well beyond the stain.
Combe is about 5 miles north-east of Witney, in Oxfordshire. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Combe can all book roof leak investigations. Our Oxfordshire coverage includes Combe and the places around it. There is also a page for Oxford.
Surveys in OX29 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We cover properties on Square Firs, Chatterpie Lane and Orchard Close and the roads around them. Neighbouring places we cover for roof leak investigations include East End (1 mile south-west), Stonesfield (1 mile north-west), Freeland (2 miles south), North Leigh (2 miles south-west) and Fawler (3 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (10 miles south-east), Banbury (15 miles north), Bicester (11 miles east), Abingdon-on-Thames (13 miles south-east), Witney (5 miles south-west) and Carterton (10 miles south-west).
Near you in Combe
In Combe, that means homes and buildings near The Cock Inn, among other places. The closest station to Combe is Combe station, roughly 0.8 miles south-east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Morris Motors Museum (1.8 miles south-east). For a walk, there’s Blenheim Farm.
Places near Combe
Other services in Combe
What we’re asked to look at in Combe
When a slate slips or a tile cracks, the underlay takes the water. Ageing felt underlay eventually tears and lets water through, and very old roofs may have no underlay at all. Corroded nails, known as ‘nail fatigue’, are a frequent cause on slate roofs.
Problems we come across frequently include:
- Brown rings on upstairs ceilings
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
If you live in an older home near St Laurence's Church, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney.
Before booking anyone
- What happens after the report arrives
- Will the report include photos?
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- When you’ll get the report
Landlord and commercial surveys in Combe
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, putting the urgent items at the top.
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
Combe questions
Do you cover Combe?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and Combe is part of that. You can call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and some details.
Is Combe within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Does the report include photographs?
Yes, every report has them. Each finding is shown in a picture where possible, so you can see what we mean.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not necessarily. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Is thermal imaging part of a leak investigation?
We use thermal imaging where it helps, and it is part of the Premium Survey. It shows temperature differences, not water itself, so anything it suggests is checked with moisture readings.
How experienced are you?
We have completed more than 5,000 surveys, across 20+ years of surveying roofs, and 98% of customers are satisfied.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling aren’t something we do. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Checking the roof from ground level
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
How the survey works
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes about one to two hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Rural addresses near Combe can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- You tell us where the water shows and when it appears.
- The visit starts indoors, at the stain and in the loft.
- We check the likely entry points outside, such as flashings, valleys, chimneys and gutters.
- Moisture readings and thermal imaging are used where they help.
- We email a report with photos, the likely entry point and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Keep pets in another room
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Leave a clear route to the loft
How to book
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from ground level or a window. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Read more
Leave it or get it looked at?
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. Older cottages and farmhouses around Combe can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it’s left.
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why book with us
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- PI and public liability insurance
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
Roof by roof
Valleys
A valley leak can appear well away from the valley inside. From inside the loft space, we follow the water’s route back.
Parapet and box gutters
Linings, joints and outlets are inspected wherever it’s safe.