Kent · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Cotman's Ash
Wondering about the roof at a property in Cotman's Ash? You can book a thermal roof survey in Cotman's Ash and across Kent, with plain-English findings.
- Damp where roofs meet walls and chimneys
- Gaps in loft insulation
- Leaks that are hard to trace
Thermal roof survey in Cotman's Ash
Thermal imaging is useful when a damp patch has no clear cause. Water can travel some distance under a roof covering before it shows inside, and temperature patterns can help us trace where it may have come from. We combine the images with a visual inspection and moisture readings, so the findings do not rely on the camera alone. Common reasons to book are moisture around outlets and upstands and gaps in loft insulation, on ceilings below the roof, pitched roof slopes and loft conversions.
Somewhere as small as Cotman's Ash, older roofs are often steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. A drone and a thermal camera each give a view you cannot get from ground level. Both the forecast and the airspace are checked first. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters. You’ll see the good as well as the bad.
- Place
- Cotman's Ash (TN15)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Thermal roof surveys in Cotman's Ash: local notes
With Lullingstone Castle about 3.4 miles north-west, Cotman's Ash sits in an area with a long building history. 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. Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Kemsing Primary School, thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof. The streets around a church such as Church of Saint Mary the Virgin are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement.
Cotman's Ash is about 3 miles north-east of Sevenoaks, in Kent. Cotman's Ash gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful inspection, photographs and a written report. Cotman's Ash is one of the towns and villages in Kent we cover for thermal roof surveys. You can also see our page for Maidstone.
Every address in TN15 is covered for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Neighbouring places we cover for thermal roof surveys include Woodlands (1 mile north-east), Heaverham (1 mile south-east), Knatts Valley (1 mile north), Romney Street (1 mile north-west) and Kemsing (1 mile south-west). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (13 miles east), Dartford (9 miles north), Sevenoaks (3 miles south-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (13 miles south), Gravesend (10 miles north-east) and Tonbridge (8 miles south).
Landmarks near Cotman's Ash
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Rising Sun pub and Kemsing Down, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Kemsing station, roughly 1.4 miles south. Well-known places in the area include Kemsing Castle Bank (0.9 miles south-west) and Sevenoaks Hospital (2.8 miles south-west). Open spaces near Cotman's Ash include Dryhill Nature Reserve.
DIY checks: what’s safe
It helps to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry and it will help the survey.
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
What this survey can’t tell you
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- Proving moisture from the images alone
- Reliable images in rain, strong wind or on a wet roof surface
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Insulated roof spaces
- Pitched roof slopes
- Commercial roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
- Flat roofs
- Loft conversions
What happens on the day
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take between one and two hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. For a village or hamlet like Cotman's Ash, the journey is planned in advance: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it is safe.
- We start by discussing the roof, any signs of damp and how the weather may affect the images.
- The roof is inspected visually from safe viewpoints.
- Thermal images are taken to show differences in surface temperature.
- Areas that look unusual on the camera are checked with moisture readings where possible.
- We write up the thermal images alongside ordinary photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Getting a price
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or email us. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Read more
Common questions in Cotman's Ash
How do I find out if my home in Cotman's Ash is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Will you come out to Cotman's Ash?
Yes, Cotman's Ash is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
What happens after the survey?
You’ll receive the report by email, and what you do next is up to you: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
Will the camera show exactly where the water is?
No, not on its own. It shows surface temperature, and wet areas can show up because they hold heat differently. That is why we check any patterns with moisture readings.
What conditions are best for thermal imaging?
Conditions on the day have a big effect on what the camera can show. Dry, calm weather after some sun gives the best chance of clear images. We record the conditions in the report, so you know how much weight to give the images.
How does a thermal imaging roof survey work?
A thermal camera shows differences in surface temperature. Those patterns can point to trapped moisture, missing insulation or heat loss. We check what it shows with moisture readings.
Do you use drones?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.
Why it is worth a survey now in Cotman's Ash
Thermal images can suggest the extent of wet areas without cutting into the roof. That helps you and your roofer decide what really needs replacing. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Cotman's Ash, driving rain gets into any weakness, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all with VAT included. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
Why us?
- 98% customer satisfaction
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- 20+ years’ experience
Take a look at our cost guide and our case studies.
How the survey changes by roof type
Felt and asphalt flat roofs
Built-up felt and asphalt roofs can hide trapped water for a long time. Thermal imaging helps suggest where it is, when the conditions allow.
Loft insulation
The difference is clearest when the home is heated and it is cold out. Our report notes how the conditions affected the images.
For landlords and managing agents
Landlords, agents and building managers in Cotman's Ash and across Kent can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photographs included.