Essex · London and the South East
Storm damage roof report in Patching, Essex
Not sure what state the roof is in? You can book a storm damage roof report in Patching and across Essex, with plain-English findings.
- Broken or displaced guttering
- Ridge tiles that have come loose
- Slates and tiles blown off the roof
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roof coverings
On flat roofs, storms can lift edges and tear membranes. We record any damage and where it is.
Slate roofs
Slates can slip or blow off in a storm, particularly where the nails have corroded. We record which slates have moved and any signs of older nail fatigue.
Storm damage roof report in Patching
We inspect the roof from wherever it can be seen safely: from ground level, from windows and higher points, from the roof space and from the roof where it’s safe. We photograph and describe each area of damage. If part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. The report, with photos, is yours to pass to your insurer. Typical surveys look at gaps where slates or tiles have gone and gutters pulled loose in the wind, across chimney stacks, ridges and hips and flashings.
Around Patching, chimneys on older homes are a common source of leaks, through worn flaunching, failed pointing or lifted flashings. Damp on a chimney breast is not always rain from above, which is why it is worth tracing properly. The stack, its flashings and the loft space beside it are all worth checking.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Location
- Patching (CM1)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Leaks and storm damage in Patching
In Essex, older buildings are frequently clay-tiled, many with weatherboarding, alongside a good many post-war and newer estates. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from. Hylands, about 3 miles south-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Patching. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
For landlords with property near Chelmsford station, tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it. Living close to Chelmer Valley Riverside is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn. For businesses in and around places like Bond Street Chelmsford, water through a ceiling can damage stock and close a sales floor, so the source needs finding fast.
Patching is about 1 mile north-west of Chelmsford, in Essex. Surveys in Patching work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Across Essex, we cover Patching and the places around it.
We cover every part of the CM1 postcode area for storm damage roof reports. Local streets include First Avenue, Sixth Avenue and Fifth Avenue, all of which we cover. With the A1016 close by, Patching is simple for us to get to. If you are just outside Patching, we cover Chelmsford (1 mile south-east), Broomfield (2 miles north), Moulsham (2 miles south), Chignall St James (2 miles west) and Writtle (2 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Basildon (12 miles south), Braintree (10 miles north-east), Harlow (15 miles west), Brentwood (11 miles south-west), Maldon (9 miles east) and Billericay (9 miles south).
Around Patching
Around Patching, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Red Beret pub, Chelmer Valley Riverside and St Pius X Catholic Primary School and the streets around them. Patching’s nearest station is Chelmsford station, about 1 mile south of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Bond Street Chelmsford (1.2 miles south) and Priory Hospital (1 mile south-east). Open spaces near Patching include Newland Grove.
What we do, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. We inspect everything that’s safely in view, and if part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. Most visits take between one and two hours for most houses, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Homes around Patching frequently have gardens on more than one side, which gives us room to step back and see the roof. Let us know if any side is fenced off or hard to reach. Inside, the loft is looked at where it can be reached safely.
- We start with what you’ve seen and any temporary repairs.
- Inside, we look for signs of water in the loft and rooms below.
- The roof is inspected from the ground, windows and the roof where it’s safe.
- We record fresh damage and older defects.
- You receive the written report with photos.
How to prepare
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Booking a survey
To book a survey, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price before booking.
Advice
What happens if roof problems are left?
Knowing whether older wear played a part helps you understand your position. Our report gives an honest view of both, so there are no surprises later. In an older home around Patching, water from a roof defect can get into timber and plaster, which is far harder to put right than the roof fault itself.
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, with VAT included, and we can help you choose.
Why book with us
- Surveys on any day of the week
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
Take a look at our cost guide or what we found on two real jobs.
Patching: your questions answered
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Patching?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.
Is Patching in the area you cover?
Yes, Patching is within the area we cover. Our area covers London and South East England. Just call 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the property, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Are you loss adjusters?
No. We aren’t loss adjusters and don’t act for you with the insurer. We give you an independent report of the damage for you to send to your insurer.
Can you put a tarpaulin over the damage?
Call a roofer for emergency temporary protection. If it is safe, photograph the damage before it’s covered. Keep receipts for any emergency work.
What if my insurer declines the claim?
Start by complaining to the insurer. The Financial Ombudsman Service may look at it if that does not resolve it. The Ombudsman asks about storm conditions, whether the damage is consistent with a storm and whether the storm was the main cause.
Will you check the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there is safe access. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.
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.
What we cannot see
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- A decision on your insurance claim
- The work of a loss adjuster appointed by your insurer
- What’s beneath slates, tiles or membranes
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will suggest the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Flashings
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs
- Slate and tile slopes
- Ridges and hips
- Gutters and fascias
How we price storm damage roof reports
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- Roof area
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Storm damage roof report starts from £150, including VAT.
What we need to know
A little information up front helps. It is useful to include:
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
- What made you get in touch
- The address and postcode of the property
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will explain the options and the price.
Places near Patching
What else we do in Patching
Tips that help
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Check your policy for how to report damage
- Take photos from the ground or a window, never by climbing
- Note the date and time you first saw the damage
- Record any water damage in rooms and the loft
For repair costs, ask a roofer to quote. The report gives them a clear list of the damage.
After a storm, look at the roof from the street or garden. With binoculars, you can frequently spot problems without climbing. Never climb onto the roof yourself.