Hampshire · London and the South East
Matchams Roof Leak Investigation
Tracing where water is getting into your roof in Matchams, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photos.
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Staining around the chimney inside
Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Matchams
A leak that comes and goes can be the hardest to pin down. Driving rain from one direction, melting snow or a gutter that overflows in a downpour can all set it off. Telling us when it happens helps a lot and so do photos. We look for the clues it leaves behind, such as tide marks, stained timbers and damp underlay. Moisture detection shows which materials are still damp. If you’re worried about damp walls below an overflowing gutter and damp underlay across a wide area, we can find out what’s behind it.
In a village or hamlet like Matchams, 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, and the difference matters, especially to an insurer. We check what can be seen safely and set out what we find. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it is worth finding the cause soon.
The report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photo where possible, and recommendations are put with the most urgent first where relevant.
- Place
- Matchams (BH24)
- Region
- Hampshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
FAQs for Matchams
Is Matchams in the area you cover?
We do. Every survey there gets the same written report with photographs.
Do you cover smaller places like Matchams?
Yes, Matchams is covered. We work right across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it’s useful to know about access.
How long does a roof leak investigation take?
Allow about 1–2 hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. We will confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 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.
Can a leak be traced on a dry day?
In many cases, yes. Leaks leave clues, such as staining, damp timber and moisture in materials. Some leaks only show in particular weather, so photos and notes from when it leaks help a lot.
Will you check the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there is safe access. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement, as far as the space allows.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, like cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.
How the survey changes by roof type
Valleys
Valleys collect water from two roof slopes. Split lead, cracked linings or slipped tiles let water in.
Slate and tile slopes
‘Nail fatigue’ is a common cause of slipped slates. Even a single gap can let water in, especially in driving rain.
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Matchams
About 3.6 miles east lies Avon Tyrrell House, a reminder of how long the area around Matchams has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. A number of Hampshire villages keep thatched roofs on their older buildings. Older houses in the South East often 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.
Matchams is in Hampshire. We visit Matchams as part of our work across Hampshire. Across Hampshire, we cover Matchams and the places around it. There is also a page for Southampton.
Postcode districts we cover here for roof leak investigations: BH24. We offer roof leak investigations to properties on Maple Walk, Ash Tree Close and Sycamore Way. Other places close to Matchams include Avon Castle (1 mile north-east), St Ives (1 mile north), St Leonards (1 mile north-west) and Ashley Heath (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns like Totton (15 miles north-east), Lymington (12 miles east), New Milton (8 miles south-east), Ringwood (3 miles north-east), Barton on Sea (8 miles south-east) and Ashley (9 miles south-east).
Around Matchams
Around Matchams, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Avon Heath Country Park, among other places. A little further out are St Leonard's Hospital (1.7 miles west). Open spaces near Matchams include St Catherine's Hill and Blashford Lakes.
Signs you need a roof leak investigation in Matchams
A roof valley collects the rain from two slopes. Worn lead, cracked linings or a build-up of leaves and moss can push water under the slates or tiles. The stain may appear well away from the valley itself.
It’s worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Leaks at a dormer or roof window
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
Living close to Avon Heath Country Park is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn.
Before booking anyone
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Are they insured for the work?
- Their report turnaround times
Nearby places to Matchams
What else we do in Matchams
Landlords, agents and block managers in Matchams
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, and the report can go to both. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
Practical tips
You do not need to be a roofer to help. Here’s what helps most:
- Protect furniture and flooring under the leak
- Write down the wind direction and rain when it leaks
- Do not climb onto the roof to look
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
We email the report to you. It sets out where we believe the water is getting in, how it’s 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. Pieces of slate or tile in the garden mean something has moved. Prompt repairs stop gaps turning into leaks.
When you need someone else
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Keep these in mind:
- Whether rotten timbers meet design loads
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- Water from pipes, tanks or heating systems
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will tell you. What a survey covers and does not.
What we look at
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
- Rooflights and dormers
- Slate and tile slopes
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
How it works
The aim of the visit is simple: to see as much of the leaking roof as can be seen safely and record it clearly. Notes and photographs go into the written report. It typically takes about 1–2 hours for most houses, and longer for a large or complex roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Matchams often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Tell us where we can park nearby
Book a survey
Every survey is priced before it’s booked, so you know the cost up front. Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, phone 07833 053749 or email us.