Essex · London and the South East
Great Bardfield Roof Leak Investigation
Get a clear view of the leaking roof at a property in Great Bardfield. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Damp underlay across a wide area
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
About our roof leak investigation in Great Bardfield
Some leaks only appear in certain weather. Wind-driven rain, an overflowing gutter or snow melt may be what triggers it. Telling us when it happens helps a lot and so do photos. We look for the clues it leaves behind, such as tide marks, stained timbers and damp underlay. Moisture readings show where materials are still wet. If you’ve noticed brown rings on upstairs ceilings and damp patches next to the stack, we can find out what’s behind it.
Being in a small place like Great Bardfield makes no difference to how a leak or storm damage is looked at: we simply plan the journey and access ahead. It is 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.
We write the report in plain English, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photo where possible.
- Where
- Great Bardfield (CM7)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Signs you need a roof leak investigation in Great Bardfield
When a slate slips or a tile cracks, the underlay takes the water. Old bitumen felt may cope for a while, but it tears and sags with age, while some very old roofs have nothing under the coverings. On slate roofs, slipping is often caused by corroded nails.
Look out for signs like these:
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
- Damp underlay across a wide area
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
Anyone responsible for a site like Great Bardfield Primary 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.
Questions to ask before booking
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
FAQs for Great Bardfield
How do I find out if my home in Great Bardfield is listed?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. 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.
Is Great Bardfield in the area you cover?
Yes, Great Bardfield is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Great Bardfield as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey seven days a week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Let us know which days suit you when booking.
Can thermal imaging help find my roof leak?
Thermal imaging is used where it’s useful, and it’s included in our Premium Survey. It shows temperature differences, not water itself, so we confirm its findings with moisture readings.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If the survey needs it and the loft space can be reached safely, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps, and if the loft cannot be reached safely, the report says so.
How long will you be at the property?
The visit usually takes an hour or two at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. We will confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
How much is a survey?
Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. The final figure depends on the roof and the package you choose, confirmed before anything is booked.
How the survey works
There is not much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we’ll get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. Older rural homes like those around Great Bardfield can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- We start with what you’ve seen: where the stain is and when it gets worse.
- Inside, we check the damp area and the loft space above it.
- Outside, we look at every likely route in.
- We use moisture detection, and thermal imaging where it’s useful.
- We email a report with photos, the likely entry point and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Arrange a survey
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Related advice
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roof upstands and outlets
Each flat roof relies on its outlets to drain. When one blocks, water ponds and finds any weak spot. We check outlets and the covering around them.
Lead flashings
Mortar fillets are sometimes used instead of lead. Fillets crack and pull away over time, and water runs down behind them.
What this survey can’t tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- A promise to find every leak on a single visit
- Leaks from plumbing, tanks or pipework rather than the roof
- A structural engineer’s report
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before booking. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Rooflights and dormers
- Slate and tile slopes
- The roof space
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roof details
Before and after the survey
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Our tips:
- Tell us if there are tanks or pipes in the loft
- Do not climb onto the roof to look
- Record whether it leaks in every downpour or only some
- Take dated photos of the leak
Where we find more than one possible route, we say which is most likely and why. We say which items need prompt attention.
Keep the loft space ventilated. Air movement keeps condensation down, which is often mistaken for a leak. Keep insulation clear of the eaves.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Water damage grows the longer it is left. Wet timbers start to decay, plaster softens and insulation stops working. Finding the source early keeps the damage down. For an older or listed building in a place like Great Bardfield, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the size and height of the roof, how it can be seen safely and the package you choose.
Why us?
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- Packages from £150, inc. VAT
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
See our cost guide and two real surveys.
Leaks and storm damage in Great Bardfield
Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent. Weatherboarded walls and clay tile roofs are typical of older Essex buildings, with post-war and more recent estates making up much of the newer housing. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it’s detailed.
The streets around a church such as Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney.
Great Bardfield is about 7 miles north-west of Braintree, in Essex. Wherever you are in Great Bardfield, we can carry out roof leak investigations at your property. Great Bardfield is one of the towns and villages in Essex where we work. Chelmsford is in our area too.
Surveys in CM7 are booked the same way as anywhere else. You will find streets such as High Street, The Corniche and Vine Street. Neighbouring places we cover for roof leak investigations include Little Bardfield (1 mile west), Finchingfield (1 mile north-east), Bardfield Saling (2 miles south-east), Wethersfield (2 miles east) and Crow's Green (3 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Chelmsford (15 miles south), Braintree (7 miles south-east), Witham (13 miles south-east), Saffron Walden (10 miles north-west), Halstead (9 miles east) and Great Dunmow (6 miles south-west).
What’s near Great Bardfield
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Vine pub and the streets around them. The countryside around Great Bardfield includes West Wood.