Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Postcombe, Oxfordshire
Roof leak investigations in Postcombe from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and the South East.
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Brown rings on upstairs ceilings
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
About our roof leak investigation in Postcombe
Some ‘leaks’ aren’t leaks at all. Condensation in a cold, poorly ventilated loft can drip from nails and timbers, and the stains look much like a leak. Telling the two apart matters, because they need very different work. We look at the pattern of damp, the weather and the ventilation before reaching a view. If you’ve noticed ceiling stains that grow after rain and staining around the chimney inside, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Many homes in small places like Postcombe face open ground, where storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hardest. Damp in old stone, brick or timber walls is slow to dry out, which makes finding the cause quickly worthwhile. A written record also helps if you need to explain it to anyone else.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Place
- Postcombe (OX9)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Questions from Postcombe
Do you cover smaller places like Postcombe?
Yes. Postcombe is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
How do I find out if my home in Postcombe is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. Our survey isn’t a structural engineer’s report. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we will recommend one.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. We will talk about access as you book.
Is there anything I need to do before the visit?
Clear the loft hatch so we can get into the roof space. Gather any photos and notes about when it leaks, plus details of past repairs. Keep catching drips and keep water away from electrics.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. You will know the price for your roof before booking. For a price, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Why is the stain in a different place from the leak?
Because water travels. It runs along rafters, battens or underlay before it drips, so the entry point is often well away from the mark. We follow the route back instead of guessing.
Roof leak investigations in Postcombe: local notes
Adwell House, about 0.8 miles west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Postcombe. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Older buildings in west Oxfordshire often have Cotswold stone slate roofs, and some Oxfordshire villages still have thatch. Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles. Different coverings let water in at different points, which shapes where the search starts.
Postcombe is about 4 miles south of Thame, in Oxfordshire. Anywhere in Postcombe, we can come and survey your property. We cover towns and villages across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in Oxford.
Every address in OX9 is covered for roof leak investigations. That includes homes and businesses on London Road, Salt Lane and Beech Farm Close and the roads around them. Other places close to Postcombe include South Weston (1 mile south-west), Aston Rowant (1 mile east), Lewknor (1 mile south), Kingston Blount (2 miles east) and Crowell (2 miles east). We also work in nearby towns such as Oxford (12 miles west), Didcot (13 miles south-west), Abingdon-on-Thames (13 miles west), Thame (4 miles north), Henley-on-Thames (11 miles south) and Benson (7 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in Postcombe
Around Postcombe, our work takes us to homes and buildings near England's Rose pub, among other places. Nearby you’ll also find Thame Community Hospital (3.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Aston Rowant NNR and Bald Hill.
Towns and villages near Postcombe
Also in Postcombe
Signs you need a roof leak investigation in Postcombe
Some water in the loft isn’t rain at all. Warm, moist air from the house rises into a cold roof space and condenses, particularly in lofts with blocked eaves. Drips from nails and damp underlay are typical signs.
Problems we come across often include:
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Stains around a skylight
The streets around a church like Church of St Mary are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, lead flashings, valleys and old chimneys are typical places for water to get in.
Before booking anyone
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
How it works
It’s useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: 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. The visit normally takes between one and two hours at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Cottages and farmhouses around Postcombe often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- You let us know 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.
- We inspect the likely entry points outside, from ground level, windows and the roof where safe.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Let us know about parking near the property
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Booking a survey
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Related advice
What a roof leak investigation doesn’t cover
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Bear these in mind:
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
- What’s under the covering or behind the plaster
- Leaks that only appear in weather we cannot recreate
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will point you to the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
What this survey covers
- Slate and tile slopes
- The roof space
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roof details
- Lead flashings
- Rooflights and dormers
Why get it checked now?
Lingering damp encourages mould on ceilings and walls. Once mould takes hold, it’s harder to clear. Stopping the water is the first step. Around Postcombe, older homes often have old roof timbers, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it is left.
To find out what your survey will cost, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know about the roof. We will confirm the figure before booking.
Why us?
- 98% customer satisfaction
- Surveys on weekdays and at weekends
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
Take a look at our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.
Useful tips for Postcombe property owners
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Some pointers:
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Photograph the stain each time it appears
- Leave roof access to professionals
Any roofer you ask to quote can work from the report. The photos show the defects and where they are, rather than at the stain.
Have flashings and flat roofs looked at every few years. They’re where most leaks start, and catching wear early keeps water out.
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roof upstands and outlets
The upturned edge of a flat roof covering keeps water out at walls. If it’s too low, cracked or poorly dressed, water gets behind it.
Slate and tile slopes
On slate roofs, corroded nails let slates slip. One slipped slate can be enough to cause a leak, particularly in driving rain.