Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Shephall, Hertfordshire
An experienced roof surveyor for roof leak investigations in Shephall. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and South East England.
- Stains around a skylight
- Brown rings on upstairs ceilings
- Condensation that looks like a leak
Roof leak investigation in Shephall: what you get
The aim is to find where the water is getting in and explain it. The report shows, with photos, where we believe the water gets in and how it travels, and recommends what should be done. Whoever does the work then has a clear starting point. The investigation finds and explains the cause, while the repair is a separate matter. We survey rooflights and dormers, lead flashings and chimney stacks, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are water coming in around a roof light or dormer and leaks below a flat extension roof.
In older homes around places like Shephall, the underlay may be old bitumen felt, or there may be none at all. Once the slates or tiles let water past, there’s little to stop it reaching the ceiling. Finding where it gets in, and whether it is old wear or new damage, decides what comes next. In the loft, damp battens or wet insulation are often the first clues.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets, each with a short note and a photograph. It records what’s sound as well as what isn’t.
- Place
- Shephall (SG2, SG1)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
DIY checks: what’s safe
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery. That’s where a survey comes in.
Shephall questions
Is Shephall within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. Our area covers London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
Are flat-roofed garages and porches in Shephall worth including?
It is often worth it, as these roofs are easy to forget. On buildings from before 2000, cement sheet roofs may contain asbestos and should be checked by a specialist asbestos surveyor before anyone disturbs them.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
What should I do before you arrive?
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.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers, and it does not include calculations. We will recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Towns and villages near Shephall
More services for Shephall
What this survey can’t tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Bear these in mind:
- A structural engineer’s report
- Water from pipes, tanks or heating systems
- Carrying out the fix
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will point you to the right survey before you book. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Rooflights and dormers
- Lead flashings
- The roof space
- Slate and tile slopes
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roof details
Wind, rain and roofs in Shephall
Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it is detailed. Stevenage, which Shephall is part of, is one of England’s post-war new towns. Many homes in the new towns date from the post-war decades, with concrete interlocking tiles, low-pitched roofs and flat-roofed garages and porches. Leaks on homes like these often come from flat-roofed additions or from rain driven up under low-pitched tiles.
If you own a rental within reach of Stevenage station, a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over. For site and facilities teams at buildings like Peartree Spring Primary School, on a building that size, finding the source of a drip means looking well beyond the stain.
Shephall is about 1 mile south of Stevenage, in Hertfordshire. We carry out roof leak investigations in Shephall for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings. Shephall is one of the places in Hertfordshire we cover. You can also see our page for London.
We work across SG2 and SG1 for roof leak investigations. Whether your property is on Unwin Road, Oxleys Road and Burwell Road or a nearby road, we can help. Close by, we survey roofs in Aston (1 mile east), Bragbury End (1 mile south-east), Knebworth (2 miles south), Hook's Cross (2 miles south-east) and Woolmer Green (3 miles south). Larger places within reach include Hemel Hempstead (15 miles south-west), St Albans (12 miles south-west), Bishop's Stortford (14 miles east), Welwyn Garden City (6 miles south), Harpenden (9 miles south-west) and Hitchin (6 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Shephall
Around Shephall, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Coopers Inn, The Heathcote School and Barnwell School. For rail, the closest station is Stevenage station, about 1.4 miles north-west. Other landmarks nearby include Benington Castle (2.6 miles east) and Lister Hospital (2.7 miles north-west). Not far away are Ridlins Mire.
Why it’s worth a survey now in Shephall
Damp loft insulation loses much of its value. Insulation can soak up water quietly before anything shows below. The sooner the cause is found, the less needs replacing. Tradespeople may need to travel further to a smaller place like Shephall, so it helps to plan roof work rather than call someone out in a hurry. A survey gives you that notice.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. You will know the figure before booking.
Why book us in Shephall
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- PI and public liability insurance
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
See what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
The survey, step by step
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. Homes around Shephall often have gardens on more than one side, which gives us room to step back and see the roof. Mention any side of the property we can’t get to. Inside, the loft is checked where it can be reached safely.
- You get in touch with details of the leak and any photos.
- The visit starts indoors, at the stain and in the loft.
- We check the likely entry points outside, such as flashings, valleys, chimneys and gutters.
- We use moisture detection, and thermal imaging where it’s useful.
- Your report sets out where the water is most likely getting in, with photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Getting a price
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or send us an email whenever suits you.
Related advice
Tips that help
Small things make a difference. Our tips:
- Put a bucket under the drip and move valuables
- Make sure the loft is accessible
- Keep a photo record of the damp patch
- Keep water away from lights and sockets
If the leak turns out to be condensation, the report says so, with recommendations on ventilation. That avoids roof work that wouldn’t help.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Good airflow reduces condensation, and condensation is a common false alarm. Check insulation does not block airflow at the eaves.
Common roof problems in Shephall
Many leaks begin at a flashing. Lead or mortar closes the gap wherever a roof meets a wall, chimney or dormer. Once that seal cracks or lifts, water gets behind it, often well away from where it shows.
Problems we come across frequently include:
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
- Damp patches next to the stack
With Aston Bury about 1.6 miles south-east, the area around Shephall has a long history. Older roofs around here can leak at old repairs as readily as at original details.
Before you book anyone
- Which limits apply to the survey
- 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?
- Whether the price includes VAT