Surrey · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Headley, Surrey
Get a clear view of the leaking roof at a property in Headley. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
Roof leak investigation in Headley
Flat roofs leak in their own ways. Common causes are splits and blisters, tired upstands and outlets that do not drain. Ponding water makes any weakness worse. We check the roof surface and the ceiling below to narrow it down. Flat roofs over extensions, garages and dormers are frequent sources of leaks. Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, so age is part of the picture. We’re often asked to look into stains around a skylight and ceiling stains that grow after rain, across lead flashings, slate and tile slopes and valleys and parapet gutters.
Roofs in small places like Headley frequently stand in the open, where storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hardest. Once water gets into older walls, it takes a long time to dry, so it pays to find the cause quickly. A written record also helps if you need to explain it to anyone else.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Headley (KT18)
- Region
- Surrey
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: 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 normally takes between one and two hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. Older rural homes like those around Headley 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, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- We agree a date, including weekends.
- We inspect inside and out, starting from the stain.
- Where it’s useful and included, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- The report explains the likely entry point and what needs attention.
Getting ready for the survey
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Let us know about parking near the property
Getting a price
Getting a price is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and give us some details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Advice
Headley roofs and the weather
The wider area around Headley has a long history of building, with Polesden Lacey about 4.5 miles south-west. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Older houses across Surrey frequently have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging. A few of Surrey’s oldest buildings have heavy Horsham stone slab roofs. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in.
Homes near green spaces like Nower Wood can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall. If you own a rental within reach of Tadworth station, tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it.
Headley is about 2 miles south-east of Ashtead, in Surrey. We carry out roof leak investigations for householders, landlords and businesses in Headley and the surrounding area. Across Surrey, we cover Headley and the places around it. Our Crawley page covers surveys nearby.
All of KT18 is covered for roof leak investigations. Whether your property is on Tilley Lane, Cunliffe Close and Lee Green or a nearby road, we can help. Nearby, we also carry out roof leak investigations in Walton on the Hill (2 miles east), Tadworth (2 miles north-east), Box Hill (2 miles south), Lower Kingswood (3 miles east) and Kingswood (3 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Guildford (13 miles west), Woking (13 miles west), Epsom (4 miles north), Horley (9 miles south-east), Redhill (6 miles south-east) and Ewell (5 miles north).
What’s near Headley
Around Headley, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Nower Wood, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Tadworth station, about 1.9 miles east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Headley Court (0.5 miles north) and The Ashley Centre (3.3 miles north). The countryside around Headley includes Box Hill and Reigate Heath.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
It’s useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when you book.
Common roof problems in Headley
Chimneys can let water in by several routes. Water can enter through crumbling mortar, cracked flaunching, worn flashings or uncapped pots. The damp may appear on a chimney breast, a ceiling or in the loft.
Look out for signs like these:
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
- Condensation that looks like a leak
- Damp on a chimney breast
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Church of St Mary the Virgin, old mortar, worn lead and slipped slates are the usual suspects when water gets in.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
What we look for on each type of roof
Chimney stacks
We look at the outside of the stack and the breast inside, and it is not a flue or gas safety check.
Parapet and box gutters
A butterfly roof drains to a central valley gutter. If that gutter or its outlet fails, water can come through the top-floor ceiling.
Useful tips for Headley property owners
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Have an electrician check any wet fittings
- Write down the wind direction and rain when it leaks
- Stay off ladders and the roof
Once the work is done, hold on to the report. If the leak returns, it is a useful record of what was found.
Keep the loft space ventilated. Air movement keeps condensation down, which is frequently mistaken for a leak. Make sure insulation doesn’t block airflow at the eaves.
Questions from Headley
How do I find out if my home in Headley is listed?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is Headley within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Why does not the damp patch line up with the hole?
Water rarely drops straight down. It can follow a timber or the underlay a long way first, so the entry point is often well away from the mark. That’s why we trace the route rather than patching above the stain.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes, plenty. Pictures sit next to the findings they show.
Can thermal imaging help find my roof leak?
Thermal imaging is used where it is useful, and it’s part of the Premium Survey. It picks up temperature patterns rather than water, so we confirm its findings with moisture readings.
What’s the best way to book?
To book, call 07833 053749 or email us and tell us the address and what you’d like to know. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Places near Headley
What else we do in Headley
Landlords, agents and block managers in Headley
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Bigger roofs take more time, so they’re priced to suit.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey on weekdays and at weekends, which can make access easier.