Kent · London and the South East
Northbourne Roof Leak Investigation
Roof leak investigations in Northbourne from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Leaks below a flat extension roof
- Staining around the chimney inside
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
About our roof leak investigation in Northbourne
Leaks tend to begin where one part of a roof meets another. Common entry points include chimney and wall flashings, valleys, parapet and box gutters, and the upstands and outlets on flat roofs. Each of these is checked in turn and follow the evidence. Chimneys, dormers and roof lights each add joints of their own. We look at all of them, from each safe vantage point. If you’ve noticed drips in the loft during heavy rain and water coming in around a roof light or dormer, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
In a village or hamlet like Northbourne, older cottages and farmhouses often have roofs that have been patched over many years. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, and the difference matters, particularly to an insurer. We check everything that’s safely in view and set out what we find. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it’s worth finding the cause soon.
The report doesn’t just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Location
- Northbourne (CT14)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Do you need a roof leak investigation in Northbourne?
Condensation is frequently mistaken for a leak. Warm, moist air from the house rises into a cold roof space and condenses, especially where ventilation is poor. Drips from nails and damp underlay are typical signs.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
Trees in and around Betteshanger Park shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters, and blocked gutters overflow and soak walls.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- What insurance they carry
- Whether VAT is added on top
- What happens after the report arrives
When you need someone else
A survey is a proper look at the leaking roof, but it can’t do everything. Its limits include:
- Carrying out the fix
- An intermittent leak that shows no trace on the day
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
What we check
- Rooflights and dormers
- Lead flashings
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Slate and tile slopes
- Valleys and parapet gutters
Northbourne questions
Do you cover smaller places like Northbourne?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Northbourne, take more of a battering?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch.
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, and it’s agreed before booking.
Will I get photos?
Yes. We photograph the roof as we go, and the report uses them to show each finding.
Are you insured?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so the freeholder or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day. Let us know your preferred days when you book.
How it works
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the roof space where it can be reached. All told, expect an hour or two for most houses, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Somewhere as small as Northbourne, access is frequently the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- You tell us where the water appears, when, and what the weather was doing.
- Inside, we look at 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 each safe vantage point.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Book a survey
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Read more
Wind, rain and roofs in Northbourne
The coast is about 4 miles or less from Northbourne, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. In a coastal gale, rain is driven sideways into laps, verges and flashings, while salt slowly corrodes metal fixings and flashings. Across Kent, older roofs are often 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. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from.
Historic houses like Walmer Castle, about 3 miles south-east, show how far back building around Northbourne goes. On older roofs nearby, leaks often trace back to lead flashings, valleys and gutters. If you let a flat or house near Walmer station, a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over.
Northbourne is about 2 miles west of Deal, in Kent. Wherever you are in Northbourne, we can carry out roof leak investigations at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Our Kent coverage includes Northbourne. We also survey roofs in Canterbury.
We survey roofs across the CT14 postcode area for roof leak investigations. That includes homes and businesses on Deal Road, Coulson Grove and Mill Lane and the roads around them. We also cover Marley (1 mile north), Great Mongeham (1 mile south-east), Finglesham (1 mile north), Sholden Meadows (1 mile east) and Sholden (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (12 miles west), Margate (11 miles north), Dover (6 miles south), Folkestone (12 miles south-west), Ramsgate (9 miles north) and Broadstairs (11 miles north).
Landmarks near Northbourne
We work in homes and buildings around Castle Community College, Hare & Hounds pub and Betteshanger Park, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Walmer station, about 2.2 miles south-east. Other landmarks nearby include Deal Castle (2.8 miles east) and Kent Museum of the Moving Image (2.7 miles east). For a walk, there’s Monk's Wall nature reserve.
Tips that help
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Some pointers:
- Mention any plumbing above the damp area
- Mention earlier attempts to fix the leak
- Have an electrician check any wet fittings
- Note the weather when the leak shows
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.
Have leaves and moss cleared from gutters, valleys and outlets, ideally once the leaves have fallen. Blocked outlets on parapet and flat roofs cause many leaks. Leave the clearing to someone with the right equipment.
What a survey costs
Not every roof costs the same to survey, for these reasons:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- The size of the roof
- Height and safe access
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we’ll tell you which fits.
Booking your survey
We will typically ask about:
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Places near Northbourne
More services for Northbourne
How the survey changes by roof type
Lead flashings
Lead flashings seal the joints at chimneys, walls and dormers. We check for lead that has lifted, split or slipped, and for flashings that have been patched with bitumen.
Parapet and box gutters
Parapet and box gutters sit behind walls or inside the roof. A blocked outlet sends water over the lining and into the building.