Greater London · London and the South East
Roof survey in Riddlesdown, Greater London
A roof condition survey for homes and buildings in Riddlesdown, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Get in touch for a price.
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
- Crumbling chimney pointing or cracked flaunching
- Flashings that have come away from the wall
Roof surveys for homes and businesses in Riddlesdown
Roofs vary a lot across London and South East England. If your home is a Victorian terrace, it may have Welsh slate, a butterfly roof and parapet gutters, and many post-war homes have concrete interlocking tiles instead. Whatever yours has, the survey is adapted to it. Some older homes have clay tiles, and many have a flat-roofed extension as well. Each part is checked in the way that suits it. Typical surveys look at torn or sagging underlay and gutters that overflow in heavy rain, on chimney stacks, lead flashings and the roof space.
London has a great many flats in converted houses and purpose-built blocks, where the roof is typically a shared part of the building. Whoever looks after the building needs a clear picture of the roof, chimneys and gutters, in Riddlesdown as anywhere. Leaks from a shared roof rarely affect just one home. With a written report and photos, everyone can plan from the same facts.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent, whichever applies.
- Place
- Riddlesdown (CR8, CR2)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof surveys around Riddlesdown
Outer London has lots of Victorian and Edwardian terraces with slate roofs, but also a great many interwar semis, frequently with hipped roofs in clay or concrete tiles. Bay roofs, hip ridges and dormers from later loft conversions are the details that set these houses apart. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look. If the drone is used for your survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
With Addington Palace about 3 miles north-east, the area around Riddlesdown has a long history. On a period home nearby, the survey separates sound original work from tired later repairs. Living close to Dollypers Hill is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn.
Riddlesdown is about 1 mile east of Purley, in Greater London. We survey roofs in Riddlesdown and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and South East England. Our area takes in places right across Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in London.
Every address in CR8 and CR2 is covered for roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you need a roof survey at a property on Hyde Road, Lower Road and Famet Avenue or a nearby road, we can survey it. Riddlesdown sits on or near the A22. Other places close to Riddlesdown include Kenley (1 mile south), Sanderstead (1 mile north-east), South Croydon (2 miles north), Hamsey Green (2 miles south-east) and Whyteleafe (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include London (12 miles north), City of Westminster (13 miles north), Marylebone (13 miles north), Kensington (13 miles north), St Pancras (14 miles north) and Shoreditch (13 miles north).
Landmarks near Riddlesdown
Around Riddlesdown, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Riddlesdown Collegiate and Dollypers Hill, among other places. Riddlesdown has its own railway station: Riddlesdown station. Well-known places in the area include Croydon Airport Visitor Centre (2 miles north-west) and Purley War Memorial Hospital (1 mile north-west). Green spaces nearby include Duppas Hill and Foxley Wood.
Common questions in Riddlesdown
Can a landlord with a rental near Riddlesdown station book a roof survey?
Yes, that is a common request. We just need to know who will give access, and the report can go straight to you or your agent.
How do I find out if my home in Riddlesdown is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
What’s covered in a roof inspection?
All the main parts of the roof: coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys, gutters and the loft. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check, and Premium adds thermal imaging and a drone where it applies.
Do you carry out asbestos surveys?
No. Asbestos testing is not part of our service. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on older buildings, we flag them and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime, which suits people who work during the week. Just say which days work for you.
How experienced are you?
We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys, across 20+ years of surveying roofs, and 98% of customers are satisfied.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. It is a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Signs you need a roof survey in Riddlesdown
A blocked gutter does more harm than it looks. Leaves, moss and silt build up, the gutter overflows and water soaks the walls. Hidden gutters behind parapets and in valleys can send water indoors.
People normally book a survey when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Cracked or blistered flat roof coverings
Take an older house close to St Edmund's Church: corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs.
Questions to ask before booking
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Are they insured for the work?
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
Towns and villages near Riddlesdown
Other services in Riddlesdown
Leave it or get it looked at?
Leaks rarely show up right away. Insulation, plaster and timber can all be damp before you see a stain. From inside the roof space, we can frequently spot it sooner. A hidden valley or parapet gutter on a London house can hold water for weeks before anyone notices. By the time a ceiling stains, the timbers underneath may have been wet for a while.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, how it can safely be seen and which survey you book.
Why book with us
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- 20+ years’ experience
- Clear package prices, including VAT
- Surveys seven days a week
What we look for on each type of roof
Natural slate
Many Victorian and Edwardian houses have slate roofs. Widespread slipping usually points to corroded nails, which we describe in the report.
Lead flashings and valleys
Many older houses have lead in their valleys and hidden gutters. Cracks in a lead valley can send water into the roof.
What a roof survey doesn’t cover
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- An exact number of years the roof has left
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- Asbestos testing of any kind
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Flat roofs
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Ridges, hips and valleys
Surveys for landlords and agents in Riddlesdown
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Bigger roofs take more time.
How it works
Photographs are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take between one and two hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. From the street, a London terrace usually shows only its front slope or parapet, so a visit in Riddlesdown moves between viewpoints: the pavement, upstairs windows, the loft and any safe spot at the back. If other people live in the building, tell us who can let us into the shared parts.
- We start with the property details and any concerns.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We check the roof from every safe viewpoint outside.
- We then look in the loft for damp, staining and the condition of the underlay.
- You receive the report with photos and recommendations, prioritised by urgency.
Before the survey
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Tell us about parking before the day
How to book
We survey roofs on weekdays and at weekends. To find a date that works for you, call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.