Kent · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Little Chart, Kent
We take a careful look at the leaking roof at your property in Little Chart, with photographs and a written report.
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Leaks below a flat extension roof
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
About our roof leak investigation in Little Chart
Some ‘leaks’ are not leaks at all. In a badly ventilated roof space, condensation can form under the roof and drip, leaving marks that look just like rainwater. Knowing which it is means the right fix can be done, since the cure for one won’t solve the other. The pattern of the damp, the ventilation and the timing all help us decide. We survey lead flashings, flat roof details and rooflights and dormers, and people most often book us about water that shows only in certain storms and damp walls below an overflowing gutter.
Many homes in small places like Little Chart 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 photos is useful if you need to show the damage to anyone else.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, along with how urgent it is.
- Place
- Little Chart (TN27)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Honest limits
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Bear these in mind:
- Putting the leak right
- Leaks from plumbing, tanks or pipework rather than the roof
- A structural engineer’s report
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Little Chart
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Slate and tile slopes
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Lead flashings
- Flat roof details
- Rooflights and dormers
Leave it or get it looked at?
Wet insulation does not insulate well. Insulation can soak up water quietly before anything shows below. Catching it early limits what has to be replaced. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all including VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Little Chart
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- Clear package prices, including VAT
See what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Your questions about roof leak investigations in Little Chart
Do you cover Little Chart?
Yes, Little Chart is within the area we cover. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the property, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
How do I find out if my home in Little Chart is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing are not part of what we do. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only if it’s safe. We inspect whatever is safely visible: from the ground, from windows, from inside the roof space, from the roof where it is safe and by drone where applicable. The report says if anything couldn’t be seen.
How fast do I get the report?
Report times are set by the package. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. Mention any deadline when booking.
What do I do with the report?
The report comes by email, and you decide the next step: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Places near Little Chart
What else we do in Little Chart
Tips from our surveys
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Note the weather when the leak shows
- Take dated photos of the leak
- Mention any plumbing above the damp area
Once the work is done, hold on to the report. If water appears again, it shows what was found before.
Keep the roof space ventilated. Good airflow reduces condensation, which is often mistaken for a leak. Check insulation doesn’t block airflow at the eaves.
How the survey changes by roof type
Parapet and box gutters
Linings, joints and outlets are inspected wherever it’s safe, and look for signs of past overflowing.
Valleys
A valley leak can appear well away from the valley inside. We trace the route from the loft where there is safe access.
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Little Chart
Across Kent, older roofs are frequently handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. Oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of the county’s older buildings too. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in. About 2.6 miles south-east lies Godinton House, a reminder of how long the area around Little Chart has been built on. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
For an older house near a landmark like St Mary, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney. If you let a flat or house near Charing station, a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over.
Little Chart is about 5 miles north-west of Ashford, in Kent. We visit Little Chart as part of our work across Kent, for homes and businesses alike. Our Kent coverage includes Little Chart and the places around it. There’s also a page for Maidstone.
Surveys in TN27 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Neighbouring places we cover for roof leak investigations include Little Chart Forstal (1 mile east), Pluckley (1 mile west), Fir Toll (2 miles south-west), Pluckley Thorne (2 miles west) and Chambers' Green (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns like Maidstone (13 miles north-west), Ashford (5 miles south-east), Canterbury (15 miles north-east), Sittingbourne (12 miles north), Faversham (10 miles north-east) and Hythe (15 miles south-east).
Around Little Chart
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Swan Inn And Former Stables and the streets around them. Little Chart’s nearest station is Charing station, about 2.1 miles north. Nearby you’ll also find Romden Castle (3.8 miles south-west).
How it works
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof; as a rough guide, the survey takes about one to two hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. You’re welcome to ask questions while we are there. Somewhere like Little Chart needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect everything that’s safely in view, inside and out.
- We help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- We agree a date, including weekends.
- We inspect inside and out, starting from the stain.
- Where it is useful and included, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- The report explains the likely entry point and what needs attention.
Before we arrive
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Booking a survey
Booking is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or email us and give us some details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Advice
Prices for roof leak investigations in Little Chart
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Which survey package you book
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
Prices start from £150, inc. VAT, for a Basic Survey. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400. You’ll know the exact price before booking.
Getting in touch
Before you get in touch, it is useful to have:
- What made you get in touch
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
We survey roofs seven days a week. To find a date that works for you, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.