Essex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Latton, Essex
Tracing where water is getting into your roof in Latton, using drones and thermal imaging where applicable. Get in touch for a price.
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
What we can’t see
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- Leaks from plumbing, tanks or pipework rather than the roof
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Slate and tile slopes
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
- Rooflights and dormers
Roof leak investigation in Latton
Most roof leaks start at a joint rather than the middle of a slope. Common entry points include chimney and wall flashings, valleys, parapet and box gutters, and the upstands and outlets on flat roofs. We check each likely route and we follow where the evidence leads. Every chimney, dormer and roof light adds more joints to check. We check all of them, from each safe vantage point. We are frequently asked to look into damp on a chimney breast and ceiling stains that grow after rain, on chimney stacks, valleys and parapet gutters and slate and tile slopes.
In a village or hamlet like Latton, older cottages and farmhouses often have roofs that have been patched over many years. 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. We check what can safely be seen and set out what we find. Damp in old walls and timbers is slow to dry, so the sooner the cause is found the better.
The report doesn’t just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Where
- Latton (CM17, CM18, CM20)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. Then the inspection itself takes between one and two hours on an ordinary house, and longer for a large or complex roof. Somewhere as small as Latton, access is often the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You tell us where the water appears, when, and what the weather was doing.
- Inside, we look at the stain and the ceiling around it.
- From the loft space, we trace the water’s route where there’s safe access.
- We inspect the likely entry points outside, from the ground, windows and the roof where safe.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
Before the survey
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
How to book
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will explain the options and the price.
Advice
DIY checks: what’s safe
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when you book, as it helps us focus the survey.
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. Don’t go up yourself.
Tips from our surveys
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Catch drips in a bucket and protect the floor
- Make sure the loft is accessible
- Have an electrician check any wet fittings
- Write down the wind direction and rain when it leaks
Standard includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, and Premium includes an in-person consultation. It’s a chance to ask about anything in the report.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, 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.
FAQs for Latton
Is my home in Latton listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Should a flat-roofed garage or porch in Latton be checked too?
Often, yes, so mention it when you book. Many homes in new towns like Harlow have flat-roofed garages and porches, and felt roofs often last around 15–20 years.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it helps and it’s safe, yes. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We are a CAA-registered drone operator.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, so it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
How soon will I get the report?
Each package has its own report time. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. If you have a deadline, such as an exchange date, let us know when booking.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day. Just say which days work for you.
What a survey costs
We confirm the price for your roof before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- House, block, shop or office
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- Basic, Standard or Premium
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before booking.
Booking your survey
Before you get in touch, it is useful to have:
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- What kind of property and roof it is
- What’s prompted the survey
We confirm the price for your roof before booking, so you know the cost up front. Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
How the survey changes by roof type
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.
Lead flashings
Wherever a roof meets a wall or stack, a flashing keeps rain out. We check for lead that has lifted, split or slipped.
Leaks and storm damage in Latton
Harlow, which Latton is part of, is one of England’s post-war new towns. Homes from the post-war decades are common in the new towns, many with low-pitched roofs in concrete tiles and flat-roofed garages or porches. Leaks on homes like these often come from flat-roofed additions or from rain driven up under low-pitched tiles. Clay tiles and timber weatherboarding mark out many of the older buildings in Essex, while many towns grew with post-war and newer estates. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it is detailed.
For landlords with property near Harlow Town station, a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer right away. For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Andrew, leaks on older roofs frequently start at lead flashings, valleys or around old chimney stacks. Homes near green spaces such as Harlow Marsh can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching.
Latton is about 1 mile south-east of Harlow, in Essex. Latton gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a close look at what can be seen safely, photos and a clear written report. Latton is one of the places in Essex we cover for roof leak investigations. We also survey roofs in Chelmsford.
We work across the CM17, CM18 and CM20 postcode area for roof leak investigations and the streets around it. Whether your property is on London Road, Minton Lane and Tumbler Road or anywhere close by, we can help. Main roads around Latton include the A414, so getting to you is simple. If you are just outside Latton, we cover Harlow (1 mile north-west), Mark Hall South (1 mile north-west), Newhall (1 mile north-east), Bush Fair (1 mile south-west) and Netteswell (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include Brentwood (12 miles south-east), Loughton (8 miles south), Waltham Abbey (7 miles south-west), Great Dunmow (13 miles north-east), Epping (5 miles south) and Stansted Mountfitchet (10 miles north).
Local landmarks in Latton
In Latton, that means homes and buildings near Passmores Academy, Harlow Marsh and Purple Emperor pub, among other places. The nearest railway station is Harlow Town station, about 1.7 miles north-west. Other landmarks nearby include Princess Alexandra Hospital (1.7 miles west) and Mark Hall Cycle Museum (0.9 miles north). Open spaces near Latton include Hunsdon Mead.