Hampshire · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Ower
Wondering about the leaking roof at a property in Ower? We carry out roof leak investigations in Ower and across Hampshire.
- Staining around the chimney inside
- Brown rings on upstairs ceilings
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
Different roofs, different checks
Slate and tile slopes
Cracked mortar lets ridge and hip tiles move. Rain can then run in at the ridge.
Lead flashings
Some roofs have mortar where you’d expect lead. They crack as the roof and wall move, letting rain run behind the joint.
How a roof leak investigation works in Ower
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 readings show where materials are still wet. Typical surveys look at water marks that spread in wet weather and damp ceilings under a flat roof, across slate and tile slopes, the roof space and valleys and parapet gutters.
Somewhere as small as Ower, older roofs have often been repaired many times. A new leak may be fresh damage or the latest sign of long-term wear, and the difference matters, especially to an insurer. The report says what was seen and what it points to. Damp in old walls and timbers is slow to dry, so the sooner the cause is found the better.
Where we cannot see part of the leaking roof, the report says so. That way, it is clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Location
- Ower (SO51)
- Wider area
- Hampshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Ower: your questions answered
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Ower, take more of a battering?
Places near the sea get more wind and more salt in the air than inland, and both are hard on roofs. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
Will you come out to Ower?
Yes, we do. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
Are you insured?
We’re covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
Is it a leak or condensation?
It is a common question. Leaks tend to follow wet weather and show in one place, while condensation is frequently widespread and worst on cold days. We tell you which it is most likely to be.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only if it’s safe. We inspect what can be seen safely: from the ground, from windows and vantage points, from the loft space, from the roof itself where safe and by drone where it applies. Anything we can’t see is noted in the report.
Can thermal imaging help find my roof leak?
Thermal imaging is used where it’s useful, and it is part of the Premium Survey. It picks up temperature patterns rather than water, so we confirm its findings with moisture readings.
The survey, step by step
There isn’t much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will take it from there. A typical survey takes about one to two hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. Cottages and farmhouses around Ower 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.
- 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 we arrive
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Find any records of previous roof work
Getting a price
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or email us, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Read more
Do you need a roof leak investigation in Ower?
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. Leaks from valleys often show up some distance away inside.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
If you let a flat or house near Totton station, finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused.
Before you book anyone
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- Which limits apply to the survey
Roof leak investigations around Ower
Ower lies within about 4 miles of the sea, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. In a coastal gale, rain is driven sideways into laps, verges and flashings, and salt air slowly wears metal fixings. Thatch survives on some older buildings in Hampshire’s villages. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. Different coverings let water in at different points, which shapes where the search starts.
Landford Manor, about 4.6 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Ower. Leaks in period homes nearby often come from lead work and valleys that have been patched before.
Ower is about 2 miles north-west of Totton, in Hampshire. Wherever you are in Ower, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Ower is one of the places in Hampshire where we work for roof leak investigations. Southampton is in our area too.
Postcode districts we cover here for roof leak investigations: SO51. We cover properties on Romsey Road and Salisbury Road. Close by, we survey roofs in Wigley (1 mile north), Hillstreet (1 mile east), Copythorne (1 mile south-west), Winsor (1 mile south-west) and Newbridge (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Winchester (12 miles north-east), Eastleigh (8 miles east), Chandler's Ford (7 miles north-east), Hedge End (10 miles east), Lymington (13 miles south) and Romsey (4 miles north-east).
Near you in Ower
The closest station to Ower is Totton station, roughly 3 miles south-east. Other landmarks nearby include Eling Experience (2.8 miles south-east) and Tatchbury Mount Hospital (1.1 miles south). For a walk, there’s Copythorne Common.
Nearby places to Ower
What else we do in Ower
Honest limits
To be straight with you, there are limits to any roof survey:
- A promise to find every leak on a single visit
- Putting the leak right
- Plumbing leaks that look like roof leaks
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll suggest the right survey. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
- Rooflights and dormers
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
- Slate and tile slopes
Before and after the survey
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Write down the wind direction and rain when it leaks
- Protect furniture and flooring under the leak
- Let us know about any past repairs to the roof
- Make sure the loft is accessible
The report gives whoever carries out the work a clear starting point. They’ll see exactly where the problem is, rather than at the stain.
Have flashings and flat roofs looked at every few years. Flashings, valleys and flat roof details are frequent weak points, and wear is easier to deal with before water gets in.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Water damage grows the longer it’s left. Damp spreads into rafters, ceilings and insulation. Finding the source early keeps the damage down. For older village homes like those around Ower, the right replacement materials are not always easy to find quickly. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
All our prices include VAT. Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. You will know the price for the job before you book.
Why book with us
- Clear package prices, with VAT included
- 20+ years’ experience
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Read how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.