West Berkshire · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in East Ilsley, West Berkshire
Find out the condition of the roof at your property in East Ilsley. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Cold areas below the roof
- Damp patches with no obvious cause
- Thin or uneven insulation in the roof
How the survey works
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses, and longer for a large or complex roof. Cottages and farmhouses around East Ilsley often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- We go through the roof, the problem and the weather expected on the day.
- The roof is inspected visually from safe positions.
- We take thermal images of the roof and of the loft where we can reach it.
- Patterns that stand out are checked with moisture readings.
- The report pairs each thermal image with a photo and explains what it suggests.
Preparing for the visit
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Arrange a survey
Getting a price is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and give us a few details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Related advice
How a thermal roof survey works in East Ilsley
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. It helps us see how far water may have spread under the covering, something you can’t normally tell from the surface. We then check those areas with moisture readings. If you’ve noticed possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering and missing or slipped insulation, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Villages like East Ilsley frequently stand in open country, where wind can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
What you get is a clear record of the roof on the day we saw it. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, for instance when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Where
- East Ilsley (RG20)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Flying and imaging in East Ilsley
Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail. Before planning roof work on an older home, find out whether it’s listed or in a conservation area. Listed building consent covers changes to a listed building’s special interest, and an Article 4 direction can bring extra controls in a conservation area.
Take a building like The Ilsleys Primary School: a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit.
East Ilsley is about 6 miles south of Didcot, in West Berkshire. We carry out thermal roof surveys for homes and businesses in East Ilsley. Across West Berkshire, we cover East Ilsley. For surveys nearby, see our Reading page.
Every address in RG20 is covered for thermal roof surveys. If you need a thermal roof survey at a property on High Street, Farriers Lane and Abingdon Road or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Other places close to East Ilsley include Compton (2 miles south-east), Chilton (3 miles north), Woodway (3 miles north-east), Upton (4 miles north) and Blewbury (4 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Newbury (9 miles south), Thatcham (9 miles south), Burghfield Common (13 miles south-east), Speenhamland (8 miles south), Hungerford (13 miles south-west) and Calcot (12 miles south-east).
Near you in East Ilsley
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Downs School and The Star pub, among other places. Well-known places in the area include Atlas Computer Laboratory (3.5 miles north) and Hampstead Norris Castle (3.9 miles south-east). Open spaces near East Ilsley include Churn Hill.
What we’re asked to look at in East Ilsley
Once a leak has been fixed, people often ask whether the roof is still wet. A thermal survey with moisture readings can show whether wet areas remain, given suitable conditions on the day.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Stains that keep coming back
- Heat escaping through the roof
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Leaks that are hard to trace
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Mary, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement.
What to check before booking
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- What exactly goes into their report
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
Other services in East Ilsley
What we look for on each type of roof
Felt and asphalt flat roofs
These coverings sit directly on the layers beneath, so temperature differences frequently show through. We confirm any patterns with moisture readings.
Pitched slate and tile roofs
Even on pitched roofs, the camera can point to heat loss and some damp. The report explains what the images can tell you and what they can’t.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, which helps when we look at the roof.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Why it is worth a survey now in East Ilsley
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. In a place like East Ilsley, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. It is worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in East Ilsley
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- Packages from £150, with VAT included
- A report with photographs
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
See our cost guide and two real surveys.
Questions from East Ilsley
Is East Ilsley within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
Is East Ilsley in the area you cover?
We do. Every survey there gets the same written report with photographs.
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 can’t tell you, and back them up with a visual inspection and moisture readings.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes. Photographs are taken throughout the survey, and they go into the written report.
Which survey includes thermal imaging?
Our Premium Survey, from £400, includes thermal imaging. An in-person consultation and a follow-up 12 months later are included too. Larger commercial roofs are quoted for their size.
Does the weather affect a thermal survey?
The weather makes a real difference. It works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof surface and little wind. Rain, wind and heavy cloud can weaken the patterns, so we talk through the forecast as you book.
Can thermal imaging show missing insulation?
The camera can point to heat loss and gaps in insulation. We do not give energy ratings or heat loss calculations, but the images show where improvements may help.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. Recommendations are set out by urgency where it matters.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Bigger roofs take more time.