Hampshire · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in South Down, Hampshire
A careful look at the leaking roof at your property in South Down, and put it all in a written report with photos.
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Leaks at a dormer or roof window
- Damp patches next to the stack
About our roof leak investigation in South Down
Older homes have more places for water to get in. Worn lead, tired valley linings and blocked parapet outlets are frequent causes. A central valley gutter on a butterfly roof often turns out to be the source in heavy rain. We check parapets, valleys and flashings from each safe vantage point. Our report shows what we found, with photos. We survey flat roof details, valleys and parapet gutters and lead flashings, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are water dripping from rafters or underlay and brown rings on upstairs ceilings.
Roofs in small places like South Down frequently stand in the open, where storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hardest. Damp in old stone, brick or timber walls is slow to dry out, so it pays to find the cause quickly. A written record also helps if you need to explain it to anyone else.
The report doesn’t just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend.
- Where
- South Down (SO21)
- Wider area
- Hampshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available. A typical visit takes about 1–2 hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. Somewhere as small as South Down, access is frequently the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You tell us where the water appears, when, and what the weather was doing.
- Inside, we check the stain and the ceiling around it.
- In the loft, we follow any signs of water back towards the roof.
- Outside, we check flashings, valleys, chimneys, gutters and flat roof details from every safe viewpoint.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
How to book
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Related advice
What this survey can’t tell you
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Carrying out the fix
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
- Plumbing leaks that look like roof leaks
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll suggest the right survey. What a survey covers and does not.
Roof types and parts we check
- The roof space
- Slate and tile slopes
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings
- Rooflights and dormers
South Down: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in South Down is listed?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Is South Down within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. Our area covers London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it’s useful to know about access.
How much does a roof leak investigation cost in South Down?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, inc. VAT.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Will I get photos?
Yes. Photos are taken throughout the survey, and the report uses them to show each finding alongside our recommendations.
Can every leak be traced?
Not always, and we will be honest about that. Water can travel a long way, and some leaks only show in particular storms. If we can’t be sure, the report ranks the possible sources.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings, and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
Places near South Down
What else we do in South Down
For landlords and managing agents
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.
Landlords, agents and building managers in South Down and across Hampshire can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
How we price roof leak investigations
Survey packages start from £150, inc. VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- House, block, shop or office
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 inc. VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Helping us price your survey
A little information up front helps. Please include:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- The property’s address and postcode
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- What’s prompted the survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form whenever suits you.
Do you need a roof leak investigation in South Down?
Valleys carry a lot of water. Worn lead, cracked linings or a build-up of leaves and moss can push water under the slates or tiles. Leaks from valleys often show up some distance away inside.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Brown rings on upstairs ceilings
- Condensation that looks like a leak
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
The streets around a church such as Church of All Saints are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney.
Questions to ask before booking
- What happens after the report arrives
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
South Down roofs and the weather
If your home is older, it’s worth knowing whether it is listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas. Thatch survives on some older buildings in Hampshire’s villages. Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from.
Landlords with a home close to Shawford station may find that tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it. Anyone responsible for a site like Twyford St Mary's Church of England Primary School will know that water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot.
South Down is about 3 miles north-east of Chandler's Ford, in Hampshire. If you’re in South Down, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. South Down is one of the towns and villages in Hampshire where we work for roof leak investigations. We also survey roofs in Southampton.
All of SO21 is covered for roof leak investigations. That includes homes and businesses on Cross Way, Fairfield Road and Grove Road. Neighbouring places we cover for roof leak investigations include Compton (1 mile north), Otterbourne (1 mile south-west), Shawford (1 mile north-east), Twyford (1 mile east) and Oliver's Battery (2 miles north). We also work in nearby towns such as Winchester (3 miles north), Eastleigh (3 miles south), Fareham (13 miles south-east), Andover (15 miles north-west), Totton (10 miles south-west) and Chandler's Ford (3 miles south-west).
What’s near South Down
We work in homes and buildings around The Bridge Inn and Thornden School. The nearest railway station is Shawford station, roughly 0.6 miles north-east. Other landmarks nearby include Balfour Museum of Hampshire Red Cross History (2.9 miles north) and Wolvesey Castle (3.2 miles north). Not far away are Twyford Down and Shawford Down.
DIY checks: what’s safe
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Do not go up yourself.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.