Essex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Hare Green, Essex
An experienced roof surveyor for roof leak investigations in Hare Green. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Damp underlay across a wide area
Roof leak investigation in Hare Green
On a flat roof, water can travel a long way under the covering. Splits, blisters, failed laps, worn upstands and blocked outlets are common causes. Ponding water makes any weakness worse. We look at the roof surface and the ceiling below to narrow it down. Leaks under flat extension, garage and dormer roofs are common. An ageing felt roof is a frequent culprit. If you are worried about staining around the chimney inside and damp underlay across a wide area, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on flat roof details, rooflights and dormers and valleys and parapet gutters alike.
Many homes in small places like Hare Green 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 record with photographs is useful if you need to show the damage to anyone else.
Report times depend on the survey you book: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Where
- Hare Green (CO7)
- Region
- Essex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof leak investigations in Hare Green: local notes
The coast is about 4 miles or less from Hare Green, so there is more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, and driving rain finds any gap they leave, while salt slowly corrodes metal fixings and flashings. Historic houses like Castle House, about 5 miles north, show how far back building in the area around Hare Green goes. If yours is one of the older homes, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
Take a building like St George's Church of England Primary School: a leak through a large roof is frequently found some distance from where the water shows inside. If your house is among the older ones in the streets near Church of St George, lead flashings, valleys and old chimneys are typical places for water to get in. If you own a rental within reach of Great Bentley station, a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer straight away.
Hare Green is about 6 miles east of Colchester, in Essex. Whether the building in Hare Green is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, we can survey the roof. Hare Green is one of the towns and villages in Essex we cover for roof leak investigations. You can also see our page for Chelmsford.
Surveys in CO7 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. If you need a roof leak investigation at a property on Back Lane East, Harwich Road and Meadow Close or anywhere close by, we can help. Close by, we survey roofs in Balls Green (1 mile south), Cowey Green (1 mile north), Frating Green (1 mile south), Great Bromley (1 mile north-west) and Monkey Street (1 mile east). Larger places within reach include Colchester (6 miles west), Clacton-on-Sea (7 miles south-east), Harwich (10 miles east), Camulodunum (7 miles west), Greenstead (4 miles west) and Tiptree (13 miles west).
Local landmarks in Hare Green
Typical jobs here are in homes near Old Courthouse Inn. Hare Green’s nearest station is Great Bentley station, about 2.4 miles south-east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Wivenhoe Chapel Museum (3.5 miles south-west). Not far away are Cockaynes Wood.
Why get it checked now?
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 Hare Green can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it is left.
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package matters as well. We will give you the figure before anything is booked.
Why book us in Hare Green
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- Every finding written up with photos
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
Read how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Hare Green
We survey roofs for landlords and agents as well as householders. The report gives you a dated record of the leaking roof, with photos.
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, with the most urgent items set out first.
Different roofs, different checks
Chimney stacks
A stack has several possible ways in for rain. We check each one as far as we can safely see, and look for damp on the breast inside.
Lead flashings
Mortar fillets are sometimes used instead of lead. They crack as the roof and wall move, letting rain run behind the joint.
The survey, step by step
When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. After that, we check everything we can see safely, from ground level, from windows, in the roof space and by drone where applicable. The survey normally takes about one to two hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. In a small place like Hare Green, access is typically the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We start with your notes and photos of the leak.
- We examine the damp area and the rooms near it.
- From the roof space, we trace the water’s route where there’s safe access.
- Outside, we check flashings, valleys, chimneys, gutters and flat roof details from each safe vantage point.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
Before the survey
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
Arrange a survey
Every survey is priced before it is booked, so you know where you stand. Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Advice
DIY checks: what’s safe
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.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date.
Towns and villages near Hare Green
More services for Hare Green
FAQs for Hare Green
Do you cover smaller places like Hare Green?
Yes, Hare Green is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it’s useful to know about access.
How do I find out if my home in Hare Green is listed?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We point out what can be seen, like 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.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling are not something we do. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Will you go up on the roof?
Not unless it is safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where it applies, a drone.
Practical tips
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Keep a photo record of the damp patch
- Note the weather when the leak shows
- Don’t climb onto the roof to look
- Make sure the loft is accessible
If there are several possible sources, we list them in order of likelihood. We say which items need prompt attention, so you know what to deal with first.
After a downpour, look in the roof space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Watch for water marks, wet underlay and damp wood. Take photos of anything that changes.