Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Little Heath, Oxfordshire
An experienced roof surveyor for roof leak investigations in Little Heath. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- Wet patches on loft insulation
About our roof leak investigation in Little Heath
Not every drip is a leak. In a badly ventilated roof space, condensation can form under the roof and drip, leaving marks that look just like rainwater. Telling the two apart matters, since the cure for one won’t solve the other. We check the pattern of damp, the weather and the ventilation before reaching a view. Common reasons to book are damp walls below an overflowing gutter and water that shows only in certain storms, on lead flashings, valleys and parapet gutters and flat roof details.
Around Little Heath, chimneys on older homes are a common source of leaks, through worn flaunching, failed pointing or lifted flashings. Damp in a chimney breast can have more than one cause, so it is not always obvious where it starts. It’s worth looking at the stack from outside and at the timbers beside it in the loft.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.
- Location
- Little Heath (RG31, RG30)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Chimney stacks
We check the outside of the stack and the breast inside, and it is not a flue or gas safety check.
Lead flashings
Wherever a roof meets a wall or stack, a flashing keeps rain out. Lifted, split or slipped lead is a common cause, and for flashings that have been patched with bitumen.
Leaks and storm damage in Little Heath
With Mapledurham House about 2 miles north-east, Little Heath sits in an area with a long building history. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Cotswold stone slates are found on older buildings in west Oxfordshire, and thatch survives in some of the county’s villages. Older houses in the South East frequently have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from.
Take a building like Birch Copse Primary School: on a building that size, finding the source of a drip means looking well beyond the stain. The streets around a church like St Catherine of Siena are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney. If you own a rental within reach of Tilehurst station, a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer straight away.
Little Heath is about 3 miles west of Reading, in Oxfordshire. We carry out roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Little Heath and nearby. We cover towns and villages across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages.
Roof leak investigations in RG31 and RG30 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Whether your property is on City Road, Kiln Lane and Back Lane or a nearby road, we can survey it. Other places close to Little Heath include Tilehurst (1 mile east), Sulham (1 mile north-west), Tilehurst Within (1 mile east), Calcot (1 mile south) and Norcot (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Didcot (13 miles north-west), Henley-on-Thames (8 miles north-east), Benson (11 miles north), Wallingford (10 miles north), Great Western Park (14 miles north-west) and Watlington (13 miles north).
Around Little Heath
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Fox and Hounds pub, Calcot Park and Little Heath School and the streets around them. The closest station to Little Heath is Tilehurst station, about 1.4 miles north-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Broad Street Mall (3.4 miles east) and Battle Hospital (2.5 miles east). For a walk, there’s Moor Copse Nature Reserve and Hosehill Lake.
How it works
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you need to know. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where applicable. Most surveys take an hour or two, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. A visit to a smaller place like Little Heath is no different on the day: we look from the ground, from windows, from the loft and from the roof where it’s safe. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- We start with your notes and photos of the leak.
- Inside, we check the stain and the ceiling around it.
- In the loft, we follow any signs of water back towards the roof.
- Outside, we check flashings, valleys, chimneys, gutters and flat roof details from every safe vantage point.
- We email a written report showing where the water most likely gets in.
Preparing for the visit
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Tell us about parking before the day
Book a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Read more
Your questions about roof leak investigations in Little Heath
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Little Heath?
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.
Is Little Heath in the area you cover?
Yes, Little Heath is within the area we cover. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and let us know about the property.
What happens after the survey?
We email you the written report with photos and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all with VAT included.
Can you trace a leak in dry weather?
Usually, yes. Moisture detection shows where materials are damp even on a dry day. If a leak only appears in driving rain from one direction, we will tell you what we found and what’s most likely.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first. Let us know about it when booking and we’ll explain what’s needed.
Do you use thermal imaging to find leaks?
Thermal imaging is used where it’s useful, and it’s part of the Premium Survey. It shows temperature differences, not water itself, so anything it suggests is checked with moisture readings.
Tips that help
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Check the loft is accessible
- Take dated photos of the leak
- Write down the wind direction and rain when it leaks
The report gives whoever carries out the work a clear starting point. The photos show the defects and where they are, rather than at the stain.
Do not block the vents at the eaves. Air movement keeps condensation down, and condensation is a common false alarm. Keep insulation clear of the eaves.
When you need someone else
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Bear these in mind:
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- Leaks that only appear in weather we cannot recreate
- Whether rotten timbers meet design loads
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Little Heath
- The roof space
- Lead flashings
- Flat roof details
- Rooflights and dormers
- Slate and tile slopes
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
Can I check my roof myself?
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we look at the roof.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
What happens if roof problems are left?
A leak near lights or wiring needs attention quickly. If water is reaching a light fitting or switch, keep clear of it. Then the source needs tracing. Around Little Heath, leaves and moss in gutters lead to overflowing water and damp walls. Dealing with the cause is simple; drying out a wall is not.
All our prices include VAT. Our price is from £150, including VAT. You will know the exact price before you book.
Why book with us
- PI and public liability insurance
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
Read what a roof survey costs and two real surveys.