West Berkshire · London and the South East
Longlane Roof Leak Investigation
Not sure what state the leaking roof is in? We carry out roof leak investigations in Longlane and across West Berkshire.
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
Roof leak investigation in Longlane: what you get
Older homes have more places for water to get in. Worn lead, tired valley linings and blocked parapet outlets are frequent causes. A central valley gutter on a butterfly roof often turns out to be the source. We check parapets, valleys and flashings from every safe viewpoint. The findings are recorded with photos. We survey slate and tile slopes, flat roof details and rooflights and dormers, and the problems we are asked to look at most are a leak that comes and goes with the weather and damp ceilings under a flat roof.
For a small place like Longlane, the inspection is the same as anywhere: we simply plan the journey and access ahead. It’s useful to know where the water appears, in what weather, and what you’ve seen outside, plus any earlier repairs. If you have photos of the water coming in, they help as well.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- Longlane (RG18)
- Wider area
- West Berkshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Longlane: your questions answered
Is Longlane within the area you cover?
Yes, Longlane is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Longlane?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it is applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We are a CAA-registered drone operator.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We look at the parts we’re given access to, and the report makes that clear.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends. To arrange a date, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on its size, height, access and the package.
Why is not the leak directly above the stain?
Because water travels. It runs along rafters, battens or underlay before it drips, so the entry point is often well away from the mark. We follow the route back instead of guessing.
Longlane roofs and the weather
About 2.7 miles south-west lies Shaw House, a reminder of how long the area around Longlane has been built on. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Older houses in the South East frequently have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in.
Anyone responsible for a site like Curridge Primary School will know that water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot. If you live in an older home near Holy Trinity, old mortar, worn lead and slipped slates are the usual suspects when water gets in. Landlords with a home close to Newbury Racecourse station may find that a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer straight away.
Longlane is about 3 miles north of Thatcham, in West Berkshire. Whether the building in Longlane is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed. Our area takes in places right across West Berkshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Reading.
We work across the RG18 postcode area for roof leak investigations and the streets around it. Whether your property is on Sandy Close, Long Lane and Curridge Piece or a nearby road, we can survey it. Other places close to Longlane include Curridge (1 mile west), Hermitage (1 mile north-east), Wellhouse (1 mile east), Oare (1 mile north) and Little Hungerford (1 mile north-east). We also work in nearby towns like Newbury (4 miles south-west), Thatcham (3 miles south), Burghfield Common (10 miles east), Speenhamland (3 miles south-west), Hungerford (10 miles west) and Spencers Wood (14 miles east).
Near you in Longlane
We work in homes and buildings around The Bunk Inn and the streets around them. Longlane’s nearest station is Newbury Racecourse station, roughly 3.3 miles south of the centre. Well-known places in the area include West Berkshire Community Hospital (2.7 miles south) and British Balloon Museum & Library Ltd (3.4 miles south-west). Not far away are Snelsmore Common.
Before and after the survey
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Photograph the stain each time it appears
- Let us know about any past repairs to the roof
- Catch drips in a bucket and protect the floor
- Mention any plumbing above the damp area
We email the report to you. It sets out where we believe the water is getting in, how it is travelling and what needs attention. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day.
After a storm, check the roof from the garden and the street. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles and debris on the ground are signs to act on. Prompt repairs stop gaps turning into leaks.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Longlane
We survey roofs for letting agents and landlords as well as householders. The report gives you a dated record of the leaking roof, with photos.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey on weekdays and at weekends, which can make access easier.
More services for Longlane
When you need someone else
Before you book, it is worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- Leaks that only appear in weather we can’t recreate
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
- Whether rotten timbers meet design loads
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll recommend the right survey before you book. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Slate and tile slopes
- The roof space
- Lead flashings
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Rooflights and dormers
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
How the survey changes by roof type
Slate and tile slopes
Cracked mortar lets ridge and hip tiles move. Rain can then run in at the ridge.
Lead flashings
Some roofs have mortar where you’d expect lead. They crack as the roof and wall move, letting rain run behind the joint.
What we do, step by step
It is useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. Most visits take about 1–2 hours for most houses, and more on a big or complicated roof. Around Longlane, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- The investigation works from the stain back to the roof.
- 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
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Arrange a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Advice
What affects the cost of roof leak investigations
We confirm the exact price before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Height and safe access
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Getting in touch
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, it’s useful to mention:
- When you need the report by
- What made you get in touch
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just call 07833 053749 or send us an email when you’re ready.