West Berkshire · London and the South East
Great Shefford Roof Leak Investigation
Get a clear view of the leaking roof at a property in Great Shefford. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
- Stains around a skylight
- Condensation that looks like a leak
Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Great Shefford
Moisture readings and thermal imaging are used where they’re useful. Moisture readings show which materials are wet. Thermal imaging shows temperature differences that can point to wet areas, not water itself, so its findings are checked with moisture readings. Thermal imaging is part of the Premium Survey, and moisture detection comes with Standard. Thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, on a dry roof with little wind. We survey chimney stacks, flat roof details and rooflights and dormers, and common reasons people get in touch are damp patches next to the stack and water that shows only in certain storms.
Many homes in small places like Great Shefford face open ground, so storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hard. Damp in old stone, brick or timber walls is slow to dry out, which makes finding the cause quickly worthwhile. A written record also helps if you need to explain it to anyone else.
If any part of the leaking roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Where
- Great Shefford (RG17)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Valleys
Debris in a valley slows the water and pushes it sideways. During a downpour, water can back up under the coverings.
Chimney stacks
Chimneys let water in through pointing, flaunching, flashings and open pots. We check each one as far as we can safely see, and look for damp on the breast inside.
What this survey cannot tell you
We only report what can be seen safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Leaks that only appear in weather we cannot recreate
- Carrying out the fix
- What’s under the covering or behind the plaster
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
What we look at
- Flat roof details
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Slate and tile slopes
- Rooflights and dormers
- Lead flashings
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks
Before and after the survey
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Keep a photo record of the damp patch
- Put a bucket under the drip and move valuables
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Do not climb onto the roof to look
Where we find more than one possible route, we say which is most likely and why. We say which items need prompt attention.
After a downpour, look in the roof space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Watch for water marks, wet underlay and damp wood. Photograph anything new.
Roof leak investigations in Great Shefford: local notes
Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Different coverings let water in at different points, which shapes where the search starts. What can be done to an older roof may depend on listing or a conservation area. Your council and Historic England’s list will tell you where you stand, ideally before any re-roofing is planned.
The streets around a church such as Church of St Mary are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney. Anyone responsible for a site like Shefford C.E. Primary School will know that a leak through a large roof is frequently found some distance from where the water shows inside.
Great Shefford is about 8 miles north-west of Newbury, in West Berkshire. Great Shefford is part of the area we cover as part of our work across London and South East England. Across West Berkshire, we cover Great Shefford and the places around it. There’s also a page for Reading.
Every address in RG17 is covered for roof leak investigations, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We offer roof leak investigations to properties on Station Road, The Mead and Miller's Field and the roads around them. If you are just outside Great Shefford, we cover East Shefford (1 mile south-east), Weston (1 mile south-east), East Garston (2 miles north-west), Shefford Woodlands (2 miles south-west) and East Garston Woodlands (2 miles west). We also work in nearby towns such as Newbury (8 miles south-east), Thatcham (10 miles south-east), Speenhamland (7 miles south-east), Hungerford (5 miles south-west), Lambourn (4 miles north-west) and Shaw (7 miles south-east).
Around Great Shefford
Open spaces near Great Shefford include Sole Common Pond.
The survey, step by step
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 at most homes, and longer for a large or complex roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Great Shefford frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- You tell us where the water appears, when, and what the weather was doing.
- Inside, we check the stain and the ceiling around it.
- In the loft, we follow any signs of water back towards the roof.
- We inspect the likely entry points outside, from ground level, windows and the roof where safe.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
How to book
When you’re ready to go ahead, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
Related advice
Your questions about roof leak investigations in Great Shefford
Is my home in Great Shefford listed or in a conservation area?
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.
Do you cover smaller places like Great Shefford?
Yes, Great Shefford is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling aren’t something we do. Where a material might contain it, such as old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.
How soon will I get the report?
That depends on the survey you book: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day. Reports are sent by email.
What happens next?
We email you the written report with photos and recommendations. It’s yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
What does a roof survey cost?
Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the price for your survey before booking, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. To get a price, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Can you find a leak when it isn’t raining?
In most cases, yes. Damp materials can be found without rain. For leaks that only happen in certain storms, we report the most likely routes.
What affects the price in Great Shefford
Survey packages start from £150, inc. VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Height and safe access
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- The shape of the roof and its details
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you need to know.
Booking your survey
Some details help us point you to the right survey and price. When you contact us, it helps to mention:
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Can I check my roof myself?
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: 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.
It is useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us as you book, as it helps us focus the survey.