Kent · London and the South East
Tilmanstone Roof Leak Investigation
We carry out roof leak investigations in Tilmanstone and the rest of Kent. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
About our roof leak investigation in Tilmanstone
A leak that comes and goes can be the hardest to pin down. 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. We look for the clues it leaves behind, like tide marks, stained timbers and damp underlay. Moisture readings show where materials are still wet. We survey rooflights and dormers, chimney stacks and lead flashings, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are damp walls below an overflowing gutter and water marks that spread in wet weather.
In a village or hamlet like Tilmanstone, older cottages and farmhouses frequently have roofs that have been patched over many years. A new leak may be fresh damage or the latest sign of long-term wear, which matters if you’re thinking of an insurance claim. The report says what was seen and what it points to. Damp in old walls and timbers is slow to dry, so the sooner the cause is found the better.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.

- Place
- Tilmanstone (CT14)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
FAQs for Tilmanstone
Is my home in Tilmanstone listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Tilmanstone?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and the South East, and Tilmanstone is part of that. Just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the property.
When does the report arrive?
Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24–48 hours and Premium reports on the same day. Each one is emailed.
Will you definitely find the leak?
Not always, and we’ll be honest about that. Some leaks hide well, especially those that need wind-driven rain. Where the source is not certain, we list the likely routes in order.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, across 20+ years of surveying roofs, and 98% of customers are satisfied.
Do you use thermal imaging to find leaks?
Thermal imaging is used where it is useful, and it is part of the Premium Survey. It picks up temperature patterns rather than water, so anything it suggests is checked with moisture readings.
What should I do before you arrive?
Keep a note of when it leaks, and take photos. Clear access to the loft. If water is near any fittings, have an electrician check them.
Common roof problems in Tilmanstone
Many leaks begin at a flashing. Lead or mortar closes the gap wherever a roof meets a wall, chimney or dormer. Once that seal cracks or lifts, water gets behind it, often well away from where it shows.
People usually book a survey when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Water that shows only in certain storms
If you own a rental within reach of Shepherds Well station, a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer straight away.
Before you book anyone
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- How long the report takes to arrive
What a survey costs
To price your survey, we look at:
- Roof area
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Getting in touch
A little information up front helps. It’s useful to include:
- When you need the report by
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
You can call us seven days a week. To book or ask a question, call 07833 053749 or email us.
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Tilmanstone
Older houses across Kent often have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. Kent’s older buildings take in oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses as well. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from. The wider area around Tilmanstone has a long history of building, with Goodnestone Park about 3.5 miles north-west. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Church of St Andrew, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself.
Tilmanstone is about 4 miles west of Deal, in Kent. Surveys in Tilmanstone work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Across Kent, we cover Tilmanstone and the places around it. Canterbury is in our area too.
Surveys in CT14 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We cover properties on Upper Street, Vicarage Lane and Chapel Road. Nearby, we also carry out roof leak investigations in Elvington (2 miles west), Heronden (2 miles north), Chillenden (2 miles north-west), Barfrestone (2 miles west) and Hammill Park (3 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (10 miles north-west), Margate (12 miles north), Dover (5 miles south), Folkestone (11 miles south-west), Ramsgate (10 miles north-east) and Broadstairs (12 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Tilmanstone
For rail, the closest station is Shepherds Well station, about 3.3 miles south-west. A little further out are Deal Castle (4.7 miles east) and Buckland Hospital (5.7 miles south).
The survey, step by step
Every visit follows the same pattern: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, photograph what we find and record our findings for the written report. Most visits take about one to two hours at most homes, or half a day or so for a commercial building. Cottages and farmhouses around Tilmanstone frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- We start with your notes and photos of the leak.
- 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 vantage point.
- We email a written report showing where the water most likely gets in.
Preparing for the visit
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
How to book
We survey roofs on weekdays and at weekends. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
Why act early in Tilmanstone
A leak rarely stays small. Damp spreads into rafters, ceilings and insulation. Finding the source early keeps the damage down. Older cottages and farmhouses around Tilmanstone can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it’s left.
There are three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why book us in Tilmanstone
- 98% customer satisfaction
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- Over 20 years’ experience
- An independent look at the roof
Take a look at what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Nearby places to Tilmanstone
More services for Tilmanstone
What a roof leak investigation doesn’t cover
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
- A structural engineer’s report
- Leaks from plumbing, tanks or pipework rather than the roof
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- The roof space
- Slate and tile slopes
- Rooflights and dormers
- Flat roof details
DIY checks: what’s safe
You can learn a lot from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
It is useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when you book.