Essex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Mark Hall North
Tracing where water is getting into your roof in Mark Hall North, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
How a roof leak investigation works in Mark Hall North
Flat roofs leak in their own ways. Common causes are splits and blisters, tired upstands and outlets that do not drain. Standing water puts extra pressure on every weak point. We check both the covering and the room underneath. Leaks under flat extension, garage and dormer roofs are common. Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, so age is part of the picture. If you’ve noticed stains around a skylight and damp ceilings under a flat roof, we can find out what’s behind it.
In older homes around places like Mark Hall North, the underlay may be old bitumen felt, or there may be none at all. Once the slates or tiles let water past, there is little to stop it reaching the ceiling. Finding where it gets in, and whether it is old wear or new damage, decides what comes next. In the loft, damp battens or wet insulation are frequently the first clues.
It is not only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Location
- Mark Hall North (CM20, CM17)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
It helps to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when booking.
Roof by roof
Slate and tile slopes
A gap in the coverings exposes the underlay. Older felt may hold for a while, but it tears with age.
Valleys
A valley leak can appear well away from the valley inside. We trace the route from the loft where there’s safe access.
What we can’t see
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- A structural engineer’s report
- Leaks from plumbing, tanks or pipework rather than the roof
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings
- Flat roof details
- Rooflights and dormers
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Slate and tile slopes
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks
Also near Mark Hall North
What else we do in Mark Hall North
Roof leak investigations in Mark Hall North: local notes
Harlow, which Mark Hall North is part of, is one of England’s post-war new towns. Many homes in the new towns date from the post-war decades, with concrete interlocking tiles, low-pitched roofs and flat-roofed garages and porches. Low pitches let wind-driven rain reach further under the tiles, and flat-roofed garages and porches are common leak points. In Essex, older buildings are often clay-tiled, many with weatherboarding, and a good many post-war and modern estates besides. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in.
Landlords with a home close to Harlow Town station may find that finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused. If you look after a building like Tany's Dell Primary School and Nursery, tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back.
Mark Hall North is about 1 mile north of Harlow, in Essex. Mark Hall North is part of the area we cover across London and South East England. Mark Hall North is one of the towns and villages in Essex where we work for roof leak investigations. Our Chelmsford page covers surveys nearby.
Here we cover the CM20 and CM17 postcode area for roof leak investigations. Whether your property is on West Road, South Road and School Lane or a nearby road, we can survey it. We also cover Mark Hall South (1 mile south-east), Harlow (1 mile south), Netteswell (1 mile south-west), Newhall (1 mile south-east) and Latton (1 mile south-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Brentwood (13 miles south-east), Loughton (9 miles south), Waltham Abbey (8 miles south-west), Great Dunmow (12 miles north-east), Epping (5 miles south) and Stansted Mountfitchet (9 miles north).
Local landmarks in Mark Hall North
Around Mark Hall North, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Essex Skipper pub, Harlow Marsh and Fawbert and Barnard's School and the streets around them. The closest station to Mark Hall North is Harlow Town station, roughly 0.9 miles west. Other landmarks nearby include Mark Hall Cycle Museum (within half a mile east) and Princess Alexandra Hospital (1.3 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Hunsdon Mead.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Mark Hall North
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Bigger roofs take more time, so they’re priced to suit.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey on any day of the week, which can make access easier.
What happens on the day
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: 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, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. A visit to a smaller place like Mark Hall North is no different on the day: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- We help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- The investigation works from the stain back to the roof.
- Moisture detection and thermal imaging are used where your package includes them and they help.
- You get photos, the likely cause and clear recommendations.
Before the survey
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
How to book
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Related advice
Mark Hall North: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in Mark Hall North is listed?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Should a flat-roofed garage or porch in Mark Hall North be checked too?
It’s often worth it, as these roofs are easy to forget. On buildings from before 2000, cement sheet roofs may contain asbestos and should be checked by a specialist asbestos surveyor before anyone disturbs them.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it’s safe. Safe viewpoints, the roof space and a drone where applicable cover most of what’s needed.
How long does a roof leak investigation take?
The visit usually takes about one to two hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. We will confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
How much is a survey?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included.
How quickly is the report sent?
Each package has its own report time. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. If you have a deadline, like an exchange date, let us know when booking.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. It is a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
When to book a survey in Mark Hall North
Slipped or missing slates and tiles let rain reach the underlay. Old bitumen felt may cope for a while, but it tears and sags with age, and very old roofs may have no underlay at all. On slate roofs, slipping is often caused by corroded nails.
Common reasons to book include:
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
- Wet patches on loft insulation
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near St Andrew's Methodist Church, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself.
Before booking anyone
- What happens after the report arrives
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance