Surrey · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Shortfield Common, Surrey
Roof leak investigations in Shortfield Common and the rest of Surrey. We survey on weekdays and at weekends.
- Water that shows only in certain storms
- Stains around a skylight
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Shortfield Common
On older houses, leaks often start at lead work and hidden gutters. Worn lead, tired valley linings and blocked parapet outlets are frequent causes. If your home has a butterfly roof, the central valley gutter is a common culprit in heavy rain. We check parapets, valleys and flashings from each safe vantage point. The findings are recorded with photos. We survey flat roof details, slate and tile slopes and valleys and parapet gutters, and the problems we are asked to look at most are leaks that appear only in driving rain and staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall.
In a village or hamlet like Shortfield Common, older cottages and farmhouses often have roofs that have been patched over many years. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, which matters if you’re thinking of an insurance claim. We check what can be seen safely and set out what we find. Damp in old walls and timbers is slow to dry, so the sooner the cause is found the better.
If any part of the leaking roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it is clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Place
- Shortfield Common (GU10)
- Region
- Surrey
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What you can safely check yourself
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date.
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book and it will help the survey.
How the survey changes by roof type
Valleys
Valleys collect water from two roof slopes. Worn or split linings and slipped valley tiles let it under the coverings.
Chimney stacks
We look at the outside of the stack and the breast inside, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection.
What affects the price in Shortfield Common
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Roof area
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
To find out what your survey will cost, phone 07833 053749 or email us and tell us about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Booking your survey
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, it helps to mention:
- What’s prompted the survey
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- The address and postcode of the property
- Dates you are working to, like exchange
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Wind, rain and roofs in Shortfield Common
About 3 miles north lies Farnham Castle, a reminder of how long the area around Shortfield Common has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Older houses across Surrey often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old buildings in Surrey. Different coverings let water in at different points, which shapes where the search starts.
If you live near a park such as Underdown nature reserve, or anywhere with mature trees, autumn leaves can block gutters and valleys. Landlords with a home close to Farnham station may find that tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it. For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Mary the Virgin, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney.
Shortfield Common is about 2 miles south of Farnham, in Surrey. Anywhere in Shortfield Common, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Shortfield Common is one of the towns and villages in Surrey we cover for roof leak investigations. For surveys nearby, see our Guildford page.
Roof leak investigations in GU10 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. That includes homes and businesses on Hamlash Lane, West End Lane and Moons Hill and the roads around them. We also cover the places around Shortfield Common: Millbridge (1 mile east), Frensham (1 mile south), Lower Bourne (1 mile north), Tilford Reeds (2 miles east) and Crosswater (2 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Guildford (11 miles north-east), Woking (14 miles north-east), Camberley (11 miles north), Frimley (10 miles north), Haslemere (7 miles south-east) and Cranleigh (14 miles east).
Landmarks near Shortfield Common
Typical jobs here are in homes near Underdown nature reserve, Weydon School and St Mary's CofE Aided Infant School, among other places. Shortfield Common’s nearest station is Farnham station, about 2.5 miles north of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Museum of Farnham (2.6 miles north) and Chase Community Hospital (5.5 miles south-west). For a walk, there is Culverswell Hill and Farnham Heath.
What happens on the day
We look at the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the loft space too. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging, as far as the space allows. All in, the survey typically takes an hour or two at most homes, and more on a big or complicated roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Shortfield Common frequently 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.
- We help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- We agree a date, including weekends.
- The investigation works from the stain back to the roof.
- Where it is useful and included, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- The report explains the likely entry point and what needs attention.
Before the survey
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Booking a survey
We confirm the price for your roof before booking, so you know the cost up front. Prices start from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Practical tips
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:
- Record whether it leaks in every downpour or only some
- Have an electrician check any wet fittings
- Let us know if there are tanks or pipes in the loft
- Catch drips in a bucket and protect the floor
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.
Plan a roof survey every few years. They’re where most leaks start, and catching wear early keeps water out.
Places near Shortfield Common
What else we do in Shortfield Common
Your questions about roof leak investigations in Shortfield Common
Do you cover Shortfield Common?
Yes. We work right across London and South East England, and Shortfield Common is part of that. Just call 07833 053749 or send us an email and tell us about the property, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
How do I find out if my home in Shortfield Common is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Does the investigation include the repair?
A leak investigation finds and reports the likely source. The repair is not part of it. You get a report with photos showing where the water is getting in and what needs attention, which whoever carries out the work can follow.
Can thermal imaging help find my roof leak?
Thermal imaging is used where it is useful, and it is included in our Premium Survey. It picks up temperature patterns rather than water, so anything it suggests is checked with moisture readings.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. Photographs are part of every report, so you can see exactly what each finding refers to.
How do you tell a leak from condensation?
Condensation can look very like a leak. Drips from nail tips, damp underlay over a wide area and poor loft ventilation point towards condensation. We check the pattern, take moisture readings and tell you which is more likely.
What does the report include?
A photo-illustrated written report, explaining the condition of the leaking roof, any defects and our recommendations. 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.
Honest limits
It’s useful to know what a survey will not do before you book:
- A promise to find every leak on a single visit
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- Putting the leak right
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- The roof space
- Rooflights and dormers