Kent · London and the South East
Old Wives Lees Roof Leak Investigation
We carry out roof leak investigations in Old Wives Lees and the rest of Kent. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- Damp underlay across a wide area
What we can’t see
Before you book, it is worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- Water from pipes, tanks or heating systems
- Whether rotten timbers meet design loads
- Carrying out the fix
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
- Rooflights and dormers
- The roof space
- Lead flashings
- Valleys and parapet gutters
How a roof leak investigation works in Old Wives Lees
The aim is to find where the water is getting in and explain it. You get a written report with photographs showing the likely entry point and the route the water is taking, and recommends what should be done. It gives any roofer a clear brief. We find and report the source, and the repair itself is a separate job. If you are worried about stains around a skylight and water marks that spread in wet weather, we can find out what’s behind it, on rooflights and dormers, lead flashings and the roof space alike.
In a village or hamlet like Old Wives Lees, 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, which matters if you are thinking of an insurance claim. The report says what was seen and what it points to. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it’s worth finding the cause soon.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photographs, sent by email. It explains the condition of the leaking roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Old Wives Lees (CT4)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Why get it checked now?
Lingering damp encourages mould on ceilings and walls. It is unpleasant, and it’s harder to deal with once established. Finding the leak comes first. Outbuildings and barns around Old Wives Lees are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. It’s worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all inc. VAT. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Old Wives Lees
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
See what a roof survey costs and our case studies.
Old Wives Lees questions
Will you come out to Old Wives Lees?
Yes, Old Wives Lees is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Old Wives Lees?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
What does the report include?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, and ends with what we recommend. The most urgent items are made clear.
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.
How do I arrange a roof leak investigation in Old Wives Lees?
To book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us the address and what you want to find out. We will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
Do I need to be at home?
If the survey includes the loft or the inside of the building, someone needs to let us in. We will talk about access when booking.
Why is not the leak directly above the stain?
Rain that gets in will run along whatever it lands on. On a pitched roof it often runs down a rafter before it shows. Following that route is what our investigation does.
How the survey works
Where it’s relevant and can be reached safely, the roof space is checked as well as the outside. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. The whole visit usually takes roughly 1–2 hours for a house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Cottages and farmhouses around Old Wives Lees often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- You tell us where the water appears, when, and what the weather was doing.
- Inside, we check 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.
- We email a written report showing where the water most likely gets in.
Preparing for the visit
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
How to book
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form, let us know about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Related advice
Tips from our surveys
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Record whether it leaks in every downpour or only some
- Protect furniture and flooring under the leak
- Keep water away from lights and sockets
- Tell us about any past repairs to the roof
If the leak turns out to be condensation, the report says so, and suggest how the loft space could be better ventilated. That avoids roof work that wouldn’t help.
Have leaves and moss cleared from gutters, valleys and outlets, particularly in autumn. Blocked outlets on parapet and flat roofs cause many leaks. Use a professional rather than climbing up yourself.
Different roofs, different checks
Lead flashings
Some roofs have mortar where you’d expect lead. They crack as the roof and wall move, and water runs down behind them.
Parapet and box gutters
We check the linings, joints and outlets where we can see them safely, and look for signs of past overflowing.
Towns and villages near Old Wives Lees
What else we do in Old Wives Lees
Wind, rain and roofs in Old Wives Lees
Across Kent, older roofs are often handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in. If your home is older, it’s worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas.
The streets around a church like Church of St Mary are often among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, old mortar, worn lead and slipped slates are the usual suspects when water gets in. Trees in and around Broadham Down shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching. Landlords with a home close to Chilham station may find that tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it.
Old Wives Lees is about 5 miles west of Canterbury, in Kent. We carry out roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Old Wives Lees and the surrounding area. We cover towns and villages across Kent.
Roof leak investigations in CT4 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Whether your property is on Cherry Orchard, Cobbs Hill and Green Lane or a nearby road, we can survey it. We also cover the places around Old Wives Lees: Chilham (1 mile south), Mountain Street (1 mile south), Oversland (2 miles north), Neames Forstal (2 miles north-west) and Shottenden (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Ashford (9 miles south-west), Canterbury (5 miles east), Sittingbourne (12 miles north-west), Folkestone (15 miles south-east), Whitstable (7 miles north) and Faversham (5 miles north-west).
Around Old Wives Lees
Around Old Wives Lees, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Broadham Down and The Star Inn, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Chilham station, roughly 0.8 miles south-east. Well-known places in the area include Chilham Castle (0.9 miles south-west) and Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr (5.1 miles east). For a walk, there is Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
How we price roof leak investigations
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Which survey package you book
- The roof’s overall size
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
Every price we give includes VAT. Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for the job before booking.
What we need to know
What helps most when you contact us:
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- When you need the report by
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. To book or ask a question, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.