Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Shide, Isle of Wight
Roof leak investigations in Shide, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photographs.
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
How a roof leak investigation works in Shide
We use moisture detection and thermal imaging where they help. Moisture readings show which materials are wet. A thermal camera shows patterns of temperature rather than water, so we confirm what it suggests with moisture readings. Moisture detection is included in the Standard Survey, and thermal imaging in Premium. Thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, on a dry roof with little wind. If you’ve noticed water that shows only in certain storms and damp ceilings under a flat roof, we can find out what’s behind it, on lead flashings, chimney stacks and flat roof details alike.
In a smaller place like Shide, some roofs face open ground, where driving rain gets into any gap at a ridge, verge or flashing. If a leak shows only when the wind is in a certain direction, that’s a useful clue. It helps to know when and where the water appears. Gutters and downpipes on the exposed side are worth a look as well.
You receive the findings by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Location
- Shide (PO30)
- Region
- Isle of Wight
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Honest limits
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Keep these in mind:
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
- Whether rotten timbers meet design loads
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will suggest the right survey before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Lead flashings
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
- Rooflights and dormers
- Slate and tile slopes
- The roof space
Your questions about roof leak investigations in Shide
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Shide?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, while strong wind lifts anything already loose.
Is my home in Shide listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first. Mention it when you contact us and we will explain what’s needed.
Do you look in the loft space?
If it is needed and safe to reach, yes. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.
What’s in the report?
Written findings with photos, covering the condition of the leaking roof, the defects we found and what we recommend. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check, and the Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies and structural analysis.
Is it a leak or condensation?
The two can look alike. Widespread damp on the underside of the roof in cold weather, with blocked vents, suggests condensation. We look at the pattern, take moisture readings and tell you which is more likely.
When does the report arrive?
Each package has its own report time. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. If you have a deadline, like an exchange date, let us know as you book.
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Shide
The coast is about 5 miles or less from Shide, so there is more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Driving rain off the sea can be pushed into gaps that stay dry in calmer weather, and salt air slowly wears metal fixings. Thatch survives on some older Isle of Wight buildings, and sea air and wind reach every part of the island. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from.
If you live near a park such as Seaclose Park, or anywhere with mature trees, autumn leaves can block gutters and valleys, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching. Carisbrooke Castle lies about 1 mile west, so building around Shide goes back a long way. Leaks in period homes nearby frequently come from lead work and valleys that have been patched before. If you run a hotel or guest house in or near Shide, a roof problem can mean rooms out of use, so it pays to find faults before guests do.
Shide is about 1 mile south-east of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. We carry out roof leak investigations in Shide for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings. Across the Isle of Wight, we cover Shide and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Portsmouth page.
We cover every part of PO30 for roof leak investigations and the streets around it. Streets in the area include Pan Lane, Ash Road and Dairy Lane, all of which we cover. Shide is on the A3020, so it is easy for us to get to. We also cover the places around Shide: Newport (1 mile north-west), Blackwater (1 mile south), Downend (2 miles east), Merstone (3 miles south-east) and Rookley (3 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Ryde (6 miles east), Cowes (5 miles north), Sandown (6 miles south-east), Shanklin (7 miles south-east), Ventnor (8 miles south-east) and East Cowes (4 miles north). If you’re somewhere remote, the survey takes a little more planning.
What’s near Shide
We work in homes and buildings around Christ The King College, The Cranbourne Arms Public House and Island Innovation VI Form Campus. Nearby you will also find St Mary's Hospital (1.3 miles north) and Carisbrooke Castle (1 mile west). The countryside around Shide includes Mill Hill and Briddlesford Nature Reserve.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Guesswork repairs are a common reason leaks keep coming back. Because water travels, the real entry point may be somewhere else. We find the probable source before anyone starts work, so the repair is aimed at the right place. Around Shide, leaves and moss in gutters lead to overflowing water and damp walls, particularly where trees overhang. It is easy to sort the cause early and slow to dry a damp wall.
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package you pick makes a difference too. We will give you the figure before anything is booked.
Why us?
- An independent view of the roof
- Visits on any day of the week
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Prices that include VAT
DIY checks: what’s safe
It helps to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
Other services in Shide
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roof upstands and outlets
On a flat roof, a leak can show some distance from the split. Moisture readings and thermal imaging can help narrow it down where conditions suit.
Valleys
A valley takes the rain from both sides of the roof. Worn or split linings and slipped valley tiles let it under the coverings.
How the survey works
Photographs are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes about one to two hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. Being in a smaller place like Shide does not change how the visit works: we look from the ground, from windows, from the loft and from the roof where it’s safe. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- You tell us where the water shows and when it appears.
- Inside, we check the damp area and the loft space above it.
- Likely entry points outside are checked, from flashings and valleys to gutters and outlets.
- Where it helps, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- Your report sets out where the water is most likely getting in, with photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Keep pets in another room
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Arrange a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Before and after the survey
You do not need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Take dated photos of the leak
- Put a bucket under the drip and move valuables
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Tell us about any past repairs to the roof
Once the work is done, hold on to the report. If water appears again, it shows what was found before, which makes the next step quicker.
Have flashings and flat roofs looked at every few years. They’re where most leaks start, and catching wear early keeps water out.