Reading · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Play Hatch
Find out what’s going on with the leaking roof before you decide what to do next. Roof leak investigations in Play Hatch, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
- Condensation that looks like a leak
Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Play Hatch
On older houses, leaks often start at lead work and hidden gutters. Worn lead, tired valley linings and blocked parapet outlets are frequent causes. A central valley gutter on a butterfly roof often turns out to be the source. Parapet walls and their gutters are looked at from wherever it’s safe. The findings are recorded with photos. If you’re worried about water that shows only in certain storms and water marks that spread in wet weather, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on the roof space, slate and tile slopes and flat roof details alike.
In a village or hamlet like Play Hatch, older cottages and farmhouses frequently 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. 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.
The report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Photos show what each point refers to.
- Where
- Play Hatch (RG4)
- Region
- Reading
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey cannot tell you
We only report what can safely be seen on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Carrying out the fix
- Water from pipes, tanks or heating systems
- What’s under the covering or behind the plaster
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Lead flashings
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
- Rooflights and dormers
- Slate and tile slopes
Why act early in Play Hatch
Leaks tend to get worse, not better. Each storm can open a gap a little more. An investigation now gives you time to plan the work. Older and listed buildings around Play Hatch may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
We offer three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why book us in Play Hatch
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- Photographs and a written report every time
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
Read what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Also near Play Hatch
More services for Play Hatch
Signs you need a roof leak investigation in Play Hatch
Condensation is often mistaken for a leak. Moist air from bathrooms and kitchens condenses on the cold underside of the roof, particularly in lofts with blocked eaves. Drips from nails and damp underlay are typical signs.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Damp patches next to the stack
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
The streets around a church such as St Andrew's Church are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, lead flashings, valleys and old chimneys are typical places for water to get in.
Questions to ask before booking
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- Are they insured for the work?
How we price roof leak investigations
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- Which survey package you book
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Building height and the viewpoints available
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.
Getting in touch
There is no need for technical words. Just tell us:
- The property’s address and postcode
- What made you get in touch
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the details.
FAQs for Play Hatch
Do you carry out roof surveys in Play Hatch?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Play Hatch as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Do you cover smaller places like Play Hatch?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
How do I book a survey in Play Hatch?
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Is there anything I need to do ahead of the visit?
Keep a note of when it leaks, and take photos. Clear access to the loft. Keep away from any light or socket that water is reaching.
Could my leak actually be condensation?
Condensation can look very like a leak. Widespread damp on the underside of the roof in cold weather, with blocked vents, suggests condensation. We check the pattern, take moisture readings and tell you which is more likely.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning. Mention it when you get in touch and we will plan the survey around it.
When does the report arrive?
Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24–48 hours and Premium reports on the same day. All of them come by email, ready to forward.
How the survey works
The visit has one job: 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. The visit usually takes about one to two hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. Somewhere like Play Hatch needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect everything that’s safely in view, inside and out.
- We start with what you’ve seen: where the stain is and when it gets worse.
- We look at the stain, the ceiling and the loft above it.
- We check the likely entry points outside, like flashings, valleys, chimneys and gutters.
- Moisture readings and thermal imaging are used where they help.
- Your report sets out where the water is most likely getting in, with photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Find any records of previous roof work
Book a survey
If you are buying, it is useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email when you’re ready.
Related advice
Play Hatch roofs and the weather
About 4.4 miles west lies Mapledurham House, a reminder of how long the area around Play Hatch has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs often 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. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from.
If you look after a building such as St Martin's Catholic Primary School, a leak through a large roof is often found some distance from where the water shows inside. Homes near green spaces like Ali's Pond Local Nature Reserve can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching.
Play Hatch is about 1 mile east of Caversham, in Reading. Whether the building in Play Hatch is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed. Play Hatch is one of the towns and villages in Reading we cover.
We cover every part of the RG4 postcode area for roof leak investigations. Whether your property is on Dene Close, Henley Road and Foxhill Lane or anywhere close by, we can help. If you are just outside Play Hatch, we cover Dunsden Green (1 mile north), Caversham Park Village (1 mile west), Littlestead Green (1 mile north-west), Emmer Green (1 mile west) and Sonning (1 mile south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Norcot (4 miles west), West Reading (3 miles south-west), Tilehurst Within (5 miles west), Shinfield (5 miles south), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south) and Horncastle (5 miles south-west).
Around Play Hatch
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre, Reading Blue Coat School and The Shoulder of Mutton pub and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Reading station, about 2.2 miles south-west of the centre. A little further out are The Oracle (2.4 miles south-west) and Royal Berkshire Hospital (2.3 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Alder Moors and South Lake.
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Let us know if there are tanks or pipes in the loft
- Let us know what has already been tried
- Put a bucket under the drip and move valuables
- Check the loft is accessible
Standard includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, and Premium includes an in-person consultation. It’s a chance to ask about anything in the report.
Plan a roof survey every few years. Flashings, valleys and flat roof details are frequent weak points, and wear is easier to deal with before water gets in.