Greater London · London and the South East
Smithfield Roof Leak Investigation
Roof leak investigations in Smithfield from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and the South East.
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
- Condensation that looks like a leak
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
Common questions in Smithfield
How do I find out if my home in Smithfield is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Smithfield?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and Smithfield is part of that. You can phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and a few details, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach, and the report makes that clear.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers, and it does not include calculations. We’ll recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
What will the report tell me?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, and ends with what we recommend. Points are put in order of urgency where relevant.
Are you insured?
We’re covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Roof leak investigation in Smithfield
We investigate roof leaks in Smithfield and across London and the South East. We visit on any day of the week. We look inside and out, at flashings, valleys, chimneys, gutters and flat roof details. The findings come in a written report with photos. If it is leaking right now, contain the water and keep it clear of electrics, then call 07833 053749 or email us. We survey rooflights and dormers, the roof space and valleys and parapet gutters, and common reasons people get in touch are wet patches high on an inside wall and drips in the loft during heavy rain.
London’s Victorian and Edwardian roofs have often been repaired many times. Telling wear from a one-off event matters, because insurers typically exclude wear and tear. A careful look in Smithfield tells the two apart where the evidence allows. Photographs and a written account give you something specific to show an insurer, a landlord or a roofer.
It is not only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Location
- Smithfield (EC1V, EC1P, EC1R)
- Wider area
- Greater London
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips from our surveys
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Record whether it leaks in every downpour or only some
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Let us know about any past repairs to the roof
The report gives whoever carries out the work a clear starting point. The photos show the defects and where they are, rather than at the stain.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, particularly in autumn. Many leaks start with a blocked outlet. Leave the clearing to someone with the right equipment.
Nearby places to Smithfield
More services for Smithfield
What we are asked to look at in Smithfield
When a slate slips or a tile cracks, the underlay takes the water. Ageing felt underlay eventually tears and lets water through, while some very old roofs have nothing under the coverings. On slate roofs, slipping is often caused by corroded nails.
Typical things we are asked to look at include:
- Damp underlay across a wide area
- Leaks below a flat extension roof
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
Take a building like Charterhouse Square School: a leak through a large roof is frequently found some distance from where the water shows inside.
Before you book anyone
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- What the survey will not cover
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Whether the price includes VAT
Why it’s worth a survey now in Smithfield
A leak near lights or wiring needs attention quickly. If water is reaching a light fitting or switch, keep clear of it. Finding where the water is getting in should follow right away. A hidden valley or parapet gutter on a London house can hold water for weeks before anyone notices. When the stain finally shows, the damage underneath is often older than it looks.
Price depends partly on the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, including VAT. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Smithfield
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Photos and a written report every time
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Read what a roof survey costs and what we found on two real jobs.
What we do, step by step
You do not need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we’ll take it from there. A typical survey takes between one and two hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. In a London area like Smithfield, the main things to sort out are parking and access: let us know about permits, visitor bays or off-street space, which floor the property is on and how to get into the loft. We then look at what can safely be seen from the ground, windows, the loft and, where it’s safe, the roof itself.
- We start with what you’ve seen: where the stain is and when it gets worse.
- Inside, we check the damp area and the roof space above it.
- Outside, we look at every likely route in.
- Moisture readings and thermal imaging are used where they help.
- You receive a written report with photos showing the likely source and what needs attention.
Before we arrive
- Keep pets in another room
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Booking a survey
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we will ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Advice
What you can safely check yourself
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
What this survey can’t tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- Plumbing leaks that look like roof leaks
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you before booking. What a survey covers and does not.
What we look at
- Rooflights and dormers
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
Leaks and storm damage in Smithfield
Inner London’s Victorian and Edwardian terraces often have Welsh slate roofs. From the street you may see only a parapet, with a butterfly roof and a valley gutter behind it draining to the back. Lead flashings, party-wall upstands and shared chimney stacks are typical of these houses, if yours is one of them. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in. About 0.3 miles south-west lies Dr Johnson's House, a reminder of how long the area around Smithfield has been built on. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Landlords with a home close to Farringdon station may find that a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer right away. For businesses in and around places such as Gabriel's Wharf, a leak can close part of a shop or office, so finding the cause quickly matters.
Smithfield is about 1 mile north of London, in Greater London. Smithfield is part of the area we cover across London and South East England. Smithfield is one of the places in Greater London where we work for roof leak investigations.
All of EC1V, EC1P and EC1R is within our area for roof leak investigations, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Local streets include Oat Lane, Shoe Lane and Long Lane. You’ll find Smithfield on the A1 and A4, so it’s easy for us to get to. Nearby, we also carry out roof leak investigations in Farringdon (1 mile north), Blackfriars (1 mile south), Holborn (1 mile west), Temple Bar (1 mile south-west) and Clerkenwell (1 mile north). Within a short drive, we also cover Kensington (4 miles west), Walthamstow (6 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west), Brompton (3 miles south-west) and Stockwell (4 miles south).
Around Smithfield
We work in homes and buildings around London Nautical School, Barts Health Archives and St Alban's Church of England Primary School, among other places. Nearby too are St Mary-at-Hill (1 mile south-east), Oriole pub (under half a mile south-west) and Postman's Park (under half a mile south-east). Smithfield has its own railway station: Farringdon station. Well-known places in the area include Montfichet's Tower (under half a mile south) and Postal Museum (less than half a mile south-east). Open spaces near Smithfield include Ludgate Hill and St. James's Park Lake.