Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Cumnor Thermal Roof Survey
We take a careful look at the roof at your property in Cumnor, and put it all in a written report with photos.
- Gaps in loft insulation
- Stains that keep coming back
- Damp around chimneys and parapets
How a thermal roof survey works in Cumnor
On a flat roof, wet insulation holds heat longer than dry insulation. That means a wet area can show up as a different temperature from the rest of the roof. This can give an idea of how far water has travelled beneath the membrane, which is hard to judge by eye. We then check those areas with moisture readings. If you’re worried about thin or uneven insulation in the roof and heat escaping through the roof, we can find out what’s behind it, on ceilings below the roof, pitched roof slopes and loft conversions alike.
Some older homes in villages like Cumnor are listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, so it is a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof, before anyone decides what work it needs. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.
Findings are set out part by part, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets. It records what’s sound as well as what isn’t.
- Where
- Cumnor (OX2)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Thermal roof surveys in Cumnor: local notes
If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. West Oxfordshire’s older buildings frequently carry Cotswold stone slates, and a few villages in the county keep their thatch. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail.
Shop and office owners around Westgate Shopping Centre may find that a commercial roof can be photographed from above without anyone walking on it. Take a building like Cumnor Church of England School (Voluntary Controlled): thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Cumnor is about 4 miles north-west of Abingdon-on-Thames, in Oxfordshire. Cumnor is one of many places we visit across Oxfordshire, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. We cover towns and villages across Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages.
Thermal roof surveys in OX2 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. You will find streets such as High Street, The Park and The Winnyards. Other places close to Cumnor include Chawley (1 mile north-east), Filchampstead (1 mile north-west), Henwood (1 mile south-east), Dean Court (2 miles north-east) and Botley (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Oxford (5 miles east), Didcot (9 miles south-east), Bicester (14 miles north-east), Abingdon-on-Thames (4 miles south-east), Witney (8 miles north-west) and Carterton (11 miles west).
Around Cumnor
In Cumnor, that means homes and buildings near The Vine Inn and Matthew Arnold School. For rail, the closest station is Oxford station, roughly 3.1 miles north-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Westgate Shopping Centre (3.3 miles north-east) and Radcliffe Infirmary (3.6 miles north-east). Open spaces near Cumnor include Lashford Lane Fen and Cumnor Hill.
Towns and villages near Cumnor
More services for Cumnor
How the survey changes by roof type
GRP fibreglass roofs
Water under a GRP roof can reach the timber deck. The camera can help show where to look.
Parapets, valleys and junctions
Water often gets in where roofs meet walls, parapets or valley gutters. Thermal imaging can help show damp patterns around them.
For landlords and managing agents
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
Practical tips
You don’t need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Talk to us about the weather when booking
- Keep outlets and gutters clear to stop water sitting
- Don’t switch the heating off ahead of the visit
- Clear a path to the loft hatch before we arrive
If the images suggest moisture that cannot be confirmed, we will say what would help next, for instance electronic leak detection or a roofer opening up a small section.
Clear outlets and gutters regularly, so water doesn’t sit on the roof. The less water sits, the less can find its way beneath.
The survey, step by step
There isn’t much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes about one to two hours on an ordinary house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Rural addresses near Cumnor can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- We talk through the roof, any damp or leaks, and the weather expected on the day.
- The roof is inspected visually from safe viewpoints.
- A thermal camera records how the surface temperature varies across the roof.
- Any patterns of interest are checked with moisture readings where we can reach them.
- You get a report with thermal images, photographs and our recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
Booking a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or send us an email, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Related advice
Do you need a thermal roof survey in Cumnor?
After a long-running leak, insulation under a flat roof can stay wet. Knowing how much of the roof is affected helps decide between a local repair and more. A thermal survey, checked with moisture readings, can give a much clearer picture.
Common reasons to book include:
- Cold areas below the roof
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Damp patches with no obvious cause
With Appleton Manor about 1.9 miles south-west, the area around Cumnor has a long history. A drone or thermal survey doesn’t involve any work on the roof, which suits older buildings.
What to check before booking
- Is VAT included in the price?
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Their track record with similar roofs
Cumnor questions
Is my home in Cumnor listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Is Cumnor in the area you cover?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Cumnor as anywhere else.
What conditions are best for thermal imaging?
Conditions on the day affect the results. It works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof surface and little wind. Rain and strong wind can make the images less clear, so we talk through the forecast when booking.
Can you use a thermal camera on a sloping roof?
On pitched roofs, the camera can point to heat loss and some damp patterns. We explain what the images can and cannot tell you, and back them up with a visual inspection and moisture readings.
How much does a thermal roof survey cost?
It’s part of the Premium Survey, from £400. You also get an in-person consultation and a 12-month follow-up. For bigger commercial roofs, we quote on size.
Can you check my loft insulation with a thermal camera?
The camera can point to heat loss and gaps in insulation. We don’t give energy ratings or heat loss calculations, but the report shows where to look more closely.
How does a thermal imaging roof survey work?
A thermal camera shows differences in surface temperature. The patterns can suggest wet insulation, gaps in insulation or heat escaping. Findings are checked with moisture readings.
Checking the roof from ground level
You can learn a lot from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
It is useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.