West Berkshire · London and the South East
Thatcham Roof Leak Investigation
Know where you stand with the leaking roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out roof leak investigations in Thatcham.
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Stains around a skylight
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
About our roof leak investigation in Thatcham
Some leaks only appear in certain weather. Wind-driven rain, an overflowing gutter or snow melt may be what triggers it. Telling us when it happens helps a lot, along with any photos you’ve taken. Even on a dry day, a leak normally leaves clues: stained timbers, tide marks and damp underlay. Moisture detection shows which materials are still damp. We’re frequently asked to look into brown rings on upstairs ceilings and water that shows only in certain storms, on flat roof details, rooflights and dormers and the roof space.
In a town like Thatcham, older houses and newer estates leak in different ways. Older roofs suffer slipped slates, worn mortar and tired lead, while later houses can leak at valleys, verges and flat-roofed additions. Knowing the cause tells you what to do next. It also tells you whether the problem is old wear or something more recent.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.
- Place
- Thatcham (RG19, RG18)
- Wider area
- West Berkshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Thatcham roofs and the weather
Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from. With Shaw House about 2.7 miles west, Thatcham sits in an area with a long building history. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Take a building like Spurcroft Primary School: on a building that size, finding the source of a drip means looking well beyond the stain. For an older house near a landmark such as United Reformed Church, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney.
Thatcham is about 12 miles north-west of Basingstoke, in West Berkshire. Thatcham is part of the area we cover across London and South East England. Thatcham is one of the towns and villages in West Berkshire where we work for roof leak investigations. For surveys nearby, see our Reading page.
Postcode districts we cover here for roof leak investigations: RG19 and RG18. We offer roof leak investigations to properties on High Street, Station Road and Flagstaff Square and the roads around them. Thatcham sits on or near the A4, so getting to you is simple. We also cover Benham Hill (1 mile west), Ashmore Green (2 miles north-west), Cold Ash (2 miles north), Upper Bucklebury (2 miles north-east) and Stone Copse (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns like Newbury (3 miles west), Burghfield Common (8 miles east), Speenhamland (3 miles west), Hungerford (11 miles west), Spencers Wood (12 miles east) and Calcot (9 miles east). Thatcham is one of the larger places we cover in West Berkshire.
Near you in Thatcham
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Kennet School and The Old Chequers Public House, among other places. Thatcham’s nearest station is Thatcham station, about 0.9 miles south-east. Nearby you’ll also find Old Chapel Textile Centre (2.2 miles south-west) and West Berkshire Community Hospital (1.5 miles west). Open spaces near Thatcham include Nature Discovery Centre.
What a survey costs
Our packages start from £150, including VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How big the roof is
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Height and safe access
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report isn’t charged as an extra. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Helping us price your survey
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, let us know:
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
What a roof leak investigation does not cover
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- An intermittent leak that shows no trace on the day
- What’s under the covering or behind the plaster
- Whether rotten timbers meet design loads
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer before you book. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks
- Rooflights and dormers
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roof details
- Slate and tile slopes
Surveys for landlords and agents in Thatcham
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer.
Where a roof is shared: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you get in touch and we will plan the visit with that in mind.
Places near Thatcham
More services for Thatcham
What happens on the day
The visit has one job: to see as much of the leaking roof as can safely be seen and record it clearly. Notes and photos go into the written report. It normally takes an hour or two, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. A survey in Thatcham needs access inside and out, including the loft hatch and any rooms with damp. Mention gates, side passages and anything at the back. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- We agree a date, including weekends.
- The investigation works from the stain back to the roof.
- Where it’s useful and included, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- You get photos, the likely cause and clear recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Let us know about parking near the property
Book a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Read more
Signs you need a roof leak investigation in Thatcham
A gutter that overflows can soak a wall and mark the ceiling inside. Parapet and box gutters are the worst for this, because when they block, water backs up and runs inside.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- Condensation that looks like a leak
If you own a rental within reach of Thatcham station, finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused.
What to check before booking
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
Your questions about roof leak investigations in Thatcham
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Thatcham?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Thatcham?
Yes, Thatcham is within the area we cover. We work right across London and South East England. You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and some details.
What do I do with the report?
You’ll get the report by email, with photos and clear recommendations. With Standard there is a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. If one is needed, the report says so.
What will the report tell me?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos. Points are put in order of urgency where relevant.
How do I book a survey in Thatcham?
Just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day, weekday or weekend.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
Practical tips
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Note the weather when the leak shows
- Mention earlier attempts to fix the leak
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Catch drips in a bucket and protect the floor
If condensation is the cause, we explain it, and suggest how the roof space could be better ventilated. It saves chasing a leak that is not there.
Have leaves and moss cleared from gutters, valleys and outlets, ideally once the leaves have fallen. Blocked outlets on parapet and flat roofs cause many leaks. Use a professional rather than climbing up yourself.