Portsmouth · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Cosham, Portsmouth
Know where you stand with the leaking roof before you spend money on it. We carry out roof leak investigations in Cosham.
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
- Water that shows only in certain storms
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
Roof leak investigation in Cosham: what you get
Flat roofs leak in their own ways. Splits, blisters, failed laps, worn upstands and blocked outlets are common causes. Ponding water makes any weakness worse. We check both the covering and the room underneath. Leaks under flat extension, garage and dormer roofs are common. An ageing felt roof is a frequent culprit. If you’re worried about damp on a chimney breast and damp underlay across a wide area, we can find out what’s behind it, on valleys and parapet gutters, slate and tile slopes and the roof space alike.
Older cottages and houses around Cosham may have roofs with little or no underlay. Without a sound underlay, any gap in the coverings lets water straight through. Finding where it gets in, and whether it is old wear or new damage, decides what comes next. Wet battens and insulation in the loft are often the first clue.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Cosham (PO6, PO3, PO2)
- Region
- Portsmouth
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What a roof leak investigation doesn’t cover
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- Putting the leak right
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- A structural engineer’s report
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Chimney stacks
- Slate and tile slopes
- Rooflights and dormers
- Flat roof details
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- The roof space
- Lead flashings
Also near Cosham
What else we do in Cosham
Why act early in Cosham
Lingering damp encourages mould on ceilings and walls. It’s unpleasant, and it is harder to deal with once established. Finding the leak comes first. With lower homes, common in places like Cosham, there is little between a roof defect and the ceiling, so water can show inside quickly once it gets past the covering. Finding the cause first saves a second job inside.
Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we can help you choose.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Cosham
- Surveys on any day of the week
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- 20+ years’ experience
- 98% of customers satisfied
Take a look at what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and a fall can be serious. That’s where a survey comes in.
It is useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when you book and it will help the survey.
The survey, step by step
Once we have finished looking, we write up our findings in a report with photographs, emailed to you. On timing, it typically takes between one and two hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. Homes around Cosham often have gardens on more than one side, which gives us room to step back and see the roof. Mention any side of the property we can’t get to. Inside, the loft is checked where it can be reached safely.
- We start with what you’ve seen: where the stain is and when it gets worse.
- The visit starts indoors, at the stain and in the loft.
- Outside, we look at every likely route in.
- Moisture readings and thermal imaging are used where they help.
- You receive a written report with photos showing the likely source and what needs attention.
Preparing for the visit
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
How to book
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Advice
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Cosham
Cosham lies within about 1 mile of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Strong wind lifts anything already loose, and driving rain gets in wherever it can, and salt air slowly wears metal fixings. With Warblington Castle about 4.4 miles east, Cosham sits in an area with a long building history. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
Landlords with a home close to Cosham station may find that a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer right away. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Court Lane Junior Academy, tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back. Take an older house close to Church of St Philip: lead flashings, valleys and old chimneys are typical places for water to get in.
Cosham is about 2 miles south-west of Purbrook, in Portsmouth. Roofs in Cosham get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Portsmouth. Our Portsmouth coverage includes Cosham.
Roof leak investigations in PO6, PO3 and PO2 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We offer roof leak investigations to properties on Dean Road, Park Lane and Elgin Road. Cosham is on the A397, so it is easy for us to get to. Neighbouring places we cover for roof leak investigations include Wymering (1 mile north-west), Hilsea (1 mile south), Drayton (1 mile east), Widley (1 mile north-east) and Paulsgrove (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover Southsea (4 miles south), Milton (3 miles south), Landport (3 miles south), Portsea (3 miles south-west), Portsmouth Point (4 miles south-west) and Fratton (3 miles south).
What’s near Cosham
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The First Post pub, Alexandra Park and Springfield School and the streets around them. Cosham has its own railway station: Cosham station. Nearby you’ll also find Tricorn Centre (2.9 miles south) and World War I Remembrance Centre (1 mile south-east). Not far away are Southmoor Nature Reserve and Portsdown Hill.
Prices for roof leak investigations in Cosham
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- The size of the roof
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
What to tell us when you get in touch
To price your survey accurately, we will ask about:
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.
Tips that help
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- Take dated photos of the leak
- Let us know what has already been tried
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Stay off ladders and the roof
Once the work is done, hold on to the report. If water appears again, it shows what was found before, which makes the next step quicker.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, especially in autumn. Many leaks start with a blocked outlet. Use a professional rather than climbing up yourself.
Cosham: your questions answered
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Cosham, take more of a battering?
It can do. Within about 1 mile of the sea, as Cosham is, metal fixings wear faster and gales find any loose ridge or slate.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Cosham?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years, across London and South East England.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes. We photograph the roof as we go, and the report uses them to show each finding alongside our recommendations.
What do I do with the report?
You will get the report by email, with photos and clear recommendations. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it’s applicable and safe, yes. We fly a sub-250g drone and we are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). It is included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where it applies, the Premium Survey.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so the freeholder or managing agent needs to agree access. We can only inspect what we are given access to.