Kent · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Hartley, Kent
Tracing where water is getting into your roof for Hartley, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photos.
- Staining around the chimney inside
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Hartley
Our roof leak investigations cover Hartley and the wider South East. We visit on any day of the week. We look inside and out, at flashings, valleys, chimneys, gutters and flat roof details. You get a report with photographs and recommendations. If it is leaking right now, contain the water and keep it clear of electrics, then call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We survey slate and tile slopes, rooflights and dormers and valleys and parapet gutters, and common reasons people get in touch are condensation that looks like a leak and staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall.
Somewhere as small as Hartley, older roofs have often been repaired many times. A new leak may be fresh damage or the latest sign of long-term wear, which matters if you are 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: where something needs attention, it says so plainly.
- Location
- Hartley (TN17)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in Hartley
Flat roofs fail with age and wear. Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and splits, blisters and lifting laps let water in. Upstands and outlets are common weak points.
Here are some of the things we see frequently:
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Leaks at a dormer or roof window
If you look after a building such as High Weald Academy, 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 you book
- What happens after the report arrives
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
Tips that help
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Mention any plumbing above the damp area
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Catch drips in a bucket and protect the floor
We email the report to you, with photos of what we found. It sets out where we believe the water is getting in, how it is travelling and what needs attention. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day.
Have leaves and moss cleared from gutters, valleys and outlets, ideally once the leaves have fallen. Blocked outlets on parapet and flat roofs cause many leaks. Leave the clearing to someone with the right equipment.
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings
Mortar fillets are sometimes used instead of lead. They crack as the roof and wall move, and water runs down behind them.
Valleys
Debris in a valley slows the water and pushes it sideways. During a downpour, water can back up under the coverings.
Nearby places to Hartley
More services for Hartley
Roof leak investigations around Hartley
Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. Oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of the county’s older buildings too. Different coverings let water in at different points, which shapes where the search starts. The wider area around Hartley has a long history of building, with Scotney Castle about 4.4 miles west. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Trees in and around Crane Valley shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall.
Hartley is about 8 miles south-east of Paddock Wood, in Kent. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Hartley can all book roof leak investigations. Our area takes in places right across Kent, large and small. Maidstone is in our area too.
Here we cover the TN17 postcode area for roof leak investigations. That includes homes and businesses on Hartley Road, Campion Crescent and Hartley Court Gardens. Other places close to Hartley include Swattenden (1 mile east), Cranbrook (1 mile north-east), Baker's Cross (2 miles north-east), Gill's Green (2 miles south) and Beal's Green (2 miles south). Further out, we also cover Maidstone (13 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (11 miles west), Tonbridge (13 miles north-west), Kings Hill (14 miles north), Foley Park (14 miles north) and Paddock Wood (8 miles north-west).
Around Hartley
In Hartley, that means homes and buildings near Crane Valley, among other places. Other landmarks nearby include Benenden Hospital (4.7 miles east) and Sissinghurst Castle (3.8 miles north-east).
How we price roof leak investigations
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- How big the roof is
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we can help you choose.
What we need to know
There’s no need for technical words. Just let us know:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- What’s prompted the survey
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- The property’s address and postcode
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Why get it checked now?
Water and electrics don’t mix. Keep away from any fitting that water is reaching and have an electrician check it. Then the source needs tracing. For an older or listed building in a place like Hartley, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £150, including VAT. You will know the price for your survey before booking.
Why book with us
- An independent view of the roof
- Photos and a written report every time
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.
Your questions about roof leak investigations in Hartley
Is my home in Hartley listed or in a conservation area?
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.
Do you cover Hartley?
We do. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
What’s in the survey report?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, and ends with what we recommend. The most urgent items are made clear.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
How experienced are you?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, over more than 20 years, and 98% of customers are satisfied.
Can a leak be traced on a dry day?
In many cases, yes. Leaks leave clues, such as staining, damp timber and moisture in materials. Some leaks only show in particular weather, so photos and notes from when it leaks help a lot.
What does a roof survey cost?
Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all inc. VAT.
What happens on the day
The visit has one job: to see as much of the leaking roof as can be seen safely and record it clearly. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. The visit normally takes an hour or two at most homes, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Around Hartley, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it’s safe.
- You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We inspect inside and out, starting from the stain.
- Moisture detection and thermal imaging are used where your package includes them and they help.
- The report explains the likely entry point and what needs attention.
Getting ready for the survey
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Getting a price
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from ground level or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.