Kent · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Northwood, Kent
Not sure what state the leaking roof is in? We carry out roof leak investigations in Northwood and across Kent, with plain-English findings.
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
- Staining around the chimney inside
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
What we are asked to look at in Northwood
A chimney stack has lots of places for rain to get in. Water can enter through crumbling mortar, cracked flaunching, worn flashings or uncapped pots. The damp may appear on a chimney breast, a ceiling or in the loft.
People normally book a survey when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
If you own a rental within reach of Ramsgate station, finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Will the report include photos?
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- How soon the report will arrive
Roof leak investigation in Northwood: what you get
Our job is to find the likely source and tell you. You get a written report with photos showing the likely entry point and the route the water is taking, and recommends what should be done. Whoever does the work then has a clear starting point. We find and report the source, and the repair itself is a separate job. We survey lead flashings, valleys and parapet gutters and rooflights and dormers, and people most frequently book us about staining around the chimney inside and leaks at a dormer or roof window.
Around Northwood, chimneys on older homes are a common source of leaks, at the flashings, the pointing or the mortar round the pots. Damp on a chimney breast is not always rain from above, which is why it’s worth tracing properly. The stack, its flashings and the loft space beside it are all worth checking.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters, with a note and a photo for each point. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Place
- Northwood (CT12, CT10, CT11)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey cannot tell you
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- Water from pipes, tanks or heating systems
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Northwood
- Slate and tile slopes
- The roof space
- Rooflights and dormers
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roof details
Landlord and commercial surveys in Northwood
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Roof by roof
Slate and tile slopes
Ridge and hip tiles can loosen as their mortar cracks. Water then gets in along the top of the roof.
Valleys
Leaves and moss build up in valleys and hold water back. During a downpour, water can back up under the coverings.
Tips that help
Small things make a difference. Some pointers:
- Make sure the loft is accessible
- Let us know about any past repairs to the roof
- Write down the wind direction and rain when it leaks
- Tell us if there are tanks or pipes in the loft
Standard includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, and Premium includes an in-person consultation. You can ask us about anything that is not clear.
Have leaves and moss cleared from gutters, valleys and outlets, particularly in autumn. Many leaks start with a blocked outlet. Leave the clearing to someone with the right equipment.
Also near Northwood
Other services in Northwood
What we do, step by step
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take an hour or two at a typical home, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a smaller place like Northwood, parking is seldom the issue; lanes, gates and long drives are worth mentioning. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from the ground, with the loft showing the underside, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where applicable.
- We help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- 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.
How to prepare
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Arrange a survey
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine, and please don’t climb up for a closer look. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Read more
Roof leak investigations in Northwood: local notes
Northwood lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, and driving rain finds any gap they leave. Older houses across Kent frequently have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in.
If you look after a building such as Dame Janet Primary Academy, water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot. For an older house near a landmark such as St Mark's Church, leaks on older roofs often start at lead flashings, valleys or around old chimney stacks.
Northwood is about 1 mile north-west of Ramsgate, in Kent. Anywhere in Northwood, we can carry out roof leak investigations at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. We cover towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury.
We work across the CT12, CT10 and CT11 postcode area for roof leak investigations and the streets around it. If you need a roof leak investigation at a property on Gwyn Road, Coxes Lane and Roman Road or anywhere close by, we can survey it. You’ll find Northwood on the A254 and A256, which makes it simple to reach. If you’re just outside Northwood, we cover Ramsgate (1 mile south-east), Upton (1 mile east), St Lawrence (1 mile south), St Peter's (1 mile north-east) and Broadstairs (1 mile north-east). We also work in nearby towns like Canterbury (15 miles west), Dover (15 miles south), Deal (9 miles south), Herne Bay (12 miles west), Walmer (10 miles south) and Wincheap (15 miles west).
What’s near Northwood
We work in homes and buildings around The Derby Arms, The Charles Dickens School and The Royal Harbour Academy. The closest station to Northwood is Ramsgate station, about 0.8 miles south of the centre. A little further out are Westwood Cross (0.5 miles north-west) and Ramsgate Museum (1.4 miles south-east). Not far away are Sandwich and Pegwell Bay.
Common questions in Northwood
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Northwood?
It can do. Northwood is within about 2 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
Is my home in Northwood listed or in a conservation area?
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. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes, plenty. Pictures sit next to the findings they show.
Can you always find the source?
We can’t promise to find every leak on one visit. Most leave clues we can follow, but some only appear in certain weather. The report sets out what we found and the most likely routes.
What’s in the survey report?
Written findings with photographs, covering the condition of the leaking roof, the defects we found and what we recommend, in order of urgency where relevant. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check; Premium adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable and structural analysis.
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 including VAT.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it’s safe. Safe viewpoints, the loft space and a drone where applicable cover most of what’s needed, and the report notes anything we couldn’t see.