Kent · London and the South East
Hartlip Roof Leak Investigation
We carry out roof leak investigations in Hartlip and the rest of Kent. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
- Brown rings on upstairs ceilings
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
When to book a survey in Hartlip
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, and very old roofs may have no underlay at all. Corroded nails, known as ‘nail fatigue’, are a frequent cause on slate roofs.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Stains around a skylight
- Staining around the chimney inside
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
- Condensation that looks like a leak
If you own a rental within reach of Newington station, a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over.
Before booking anyone
- When you will get the report
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
How a roof leak investigation works in Hartlip
Our roof leak investigations cover Hartlip 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. The findings come in a written report with photos. If it’s leaking right now, contain the water and keep it clear of electrics, then call 07833 053749 or send us an email. Typical surveys look at damp on a chimney breast and damp walls below an overflowing gutter, across lead flashings, slate and tile slopes and the roof space.
In a village or hamlet like Hartlip, older cottages and farmhouses often have roofs that have been patched over many years. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, and the difference matters, especially to an insurer. We look at everything that’s safely in view and set out what we find. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it’s worth finding the cause soon.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent, whichever applies.
- Where
- Hartlip (ME9)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
FAQs for Hartlip
How do I find out if my home in Hartlip is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Will you come out to Hartlip?
Yes, Hartlip is covered. Our area covers London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it’s useful to know about access.
Are you insured?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability.
What should I do before you arrive?
Make sure the loft can be reached. Gather any photos and notes about when it leaks, and tell us about past repairs. In the meantime, catch the water and keep it clear of lights and sockets.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We don’t sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. It is a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
Do you look in the roof space?
If it is needed and safe to reach, yes. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging.
Can I check my roof myself?
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That’s where a survey comes in.
What this survey can’t tell you
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Bear these in mind:
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- Leaks from plumbing, tanks or pipework rather than the roof
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
What we look at
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
- Slate and tile slopes
- Chimney stacks
- Rooflights and dormers
- Lead flashings
- Valleys and parapet gutters
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Hartlip
The coast is about 4 miles or less from Hartlip, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, and driving rain finds any gap they leave. 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.
Anyone responsible for a site like Hartlip Endowed Church of England Primary School will know that a leak through a large roof is often found some distance from where the water shows inside. Take an older house close to Church of St Michael: lead flashings, valleys and old chimneys are typical places for water to get in.
Hartlip is about 3 miles south-east of Gillingham, in Kent. Hartlip is one of many places we visit across Kent. Our area takes in places right across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our Maidstone page covers surveys nearby.
Here we cover the ME9 postcode area for roof leak investigations. Streets in the area include The Street, Dane Close and Place Lane, and we cover them all. Other places close to Hartlip include Lower Hartlip (1 mile east), Moor Street (1 mile north-west), Breach (1 mile north-east), Meresborough (1 mile west) and Newington (1 mile east). Further out, we also cover Maidstone (7 miles south-west), Sittingbourne (4 miles east), Gravesend (13 miles north-west), Faversham (11 miles east), Northfleet (14 miles north-west) and Minster (9 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Hartlip
Typical jobs here are in homes near Leigh Academy Rainham and Foxburrow Wood and the streets around them. Hartlip’s nearest station is Newington station, roughly 1.3 miles east. A little further out are Bayford Court (4.5 miles east) and Medway Maritime Hospital (4.8 miles north-west). The countryside around Hartlip includes Detling Hill and Bishop Saltings.
For landlords and managing agents
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work around your tenants.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, from shops and offices to industrial units. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
Practical tips
Small things make a difference. Some pointers:
- Record whether it leaks in every downpour or only some
- Do not touch fittings that water is reaching
- Put a bucket under the drip and move valuables
- Move stored items away from the hatch
Once the work is done, hold on to the report. If the leak returns, it is a useful record of what was found, which makes the next step quicker.
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.
Towns and villages near Hartlip
Also in Hartlip
How the survey works
It is useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit usually takes about 1–2 hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. Older roofs in small places like Hartlip can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- You get in touch with details of the leak and any photos.
- Inside, we check the damp area and the loft space above it.
- Likely entry points outside are checked, from flashings and valleys to gutters and outlets.
- Moisture readings and thermal imaging are used where they help.
- Your report sets out where the water is most likely getting in, with photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we are coming
Book a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.