Kent · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Upper Hardres, Kent
Tracing where water is getting into your roof for Upper Hardres and the rest of Kent. We survey on weekdays and at weekends.
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Upper Hardres
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. We look for the clues it leaves behind, such as tide marks, stained timbers and damp underlay. Moisture detection shows which materials are still damp. We survey slate and tile slopes, lead flashings and rooflights and dormers, and the problems we are asked to look at most are damp ceilings under a flat roof and water marks that spread in wet weather.
Somewhere as small as Upper Hardres, older roofs have frequently been repaired many times. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, which matters if you are 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.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, sent by email. It explains the condition of the leaking roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Where
- Upper Hardres (CT4)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
How we price roof leak investigations
To price your survey, we look at:
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- The size of the roof
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where applicable, from £400 inc. VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
What to let us know when you get in touch
A little information up front helps. Please include:
- The property’s address and postcode
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
Once you know what you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.
Also near Upper Hardres
Other services in Upper Hardres
What we do, step by step
A survey visit follows a simple order: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photographs as we go and make notes for the report. It usually takes about one to two hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. Cottages and farmhouses around Upper Hardres frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Keep pets in another room
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Getting a price
Unsure which package suits your roof? It’s easiest to ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will explain the options and the price.
Related advice
Roof leak investigations around Upper Hardres
Handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles hung on pegs through two holes, are typical of older Kent buildings. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in. What can be done to an older roof may depend on listing or a conservation area. The council is the place to check, along with Historic England’s list, before anyone quotes for re-roofing.
If you let a flat or house near Bekesbourne station, tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it. If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near Church of St Peter and St Paul, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself.
Upper Hardres is about 4 miles south of Canterbury, in Kent. We visit Upper Hardres as part of our work across Kent, for homes and businesses alike. Upper Hardres is one of the towns and villages in Kent where we work for roof leak investigations.
Roof leak investigations in CT4 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. That includes homes and businesses on Broxhall Road and Hardres Court Road and the roads around them. Other places close to Upper Hardres include Lynsore Bottom (1 mile south-east), Pett Bottom (1 mile north-east), Lower Hardres (1 mile north), Petham (2 miles west) and Street End (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (11 miles south-west), Canterbury (4 miles north), Dover (11 miles south-east), Folkestone (10 miles south), Whitstable (10 miles north) and Deal (13 miles east).
Around Upper Hardres
In Upper Hardres, that means homes and buildings near The Duck pub, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Bekesbourne station, about 3.9 miles north-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Canterbury Castle (4.1 miles north) and Kent and Canterbury Hospital (3.5 miles north).
What you can safely check yourself
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
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.
Practical tips
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Tips:
- Photograph the stain each time it appears
- Do not climb onto the roof to look
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Tell us if there are tanks or pipes in the loft
Once the work is done, hold on to the report. If the leak returns, it’s a useful record of what was found.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, ideally once the leaves have fallen. Blocked outlets on parapet and flat roofs cause many leaks. Use a professional rather than climbing up yourself.
Upper Hardres questions
Is Upper Hardres within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We work right across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
How do I find out if my home in Upper Hardres is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
When does the report arrive?
It depends on the package: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. Reports are sent by email.
What happens next?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning. Let us know about it as you book and we’ll explain what’s needed.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime. Let us know your preferred days when you book.
How do I book a survey in Upper Hardres?
It’s easiest to ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Tell us the address and a little about the roof, and we’ll point you to the right survey. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
For landlords and managing agents
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
When you need someone else
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- Leaks that only appear in weather we cannot recreate
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will point you to the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Upper Hardres
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
- Rooflights and dormers
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Lead flashings
- The roof space