Reading · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Gallowstree Common, Reading
Thermal roof surveys in Gallowstree Common and the rest of Reading. We survey on any day of the week.
- Water that travels before it shows
- Thin or uneven insulation in the roof
- Moisture around outlets and upstands
Thermal roof surveys in Gallowstree Common: local notes
Historic houses such as Mapledurham House, about 2.6 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Gallowstree Common goes. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. A drone or thermal camera adds most on the steep, tall and hidden parts of roofs like these.
Gallowstree Common is about 3 miles north-west of Caversham, in Reading. Roofs in Gallowstree Common get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Reading. Our Reading coverage includes Gallowstree Common.
Here we cover the RG4 postcode area for thermal roof surveys. Whether your property is on Reades Lane, Hearns Lane and Horsepond Road or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Close by, we survey roofs in Cane End (1 mile south-west), Hook End (2 miles north-west), Stoke Row (2 miles north), Checkendon (3 miles north-west) and Woodcote (3 miles west). We also work in nearby towns like Caversham (3 miles south-east), Norcot (4 miles south), West Reading (4 miles south), Tilehurst Within (4 miles south), Shinfield (8 miles south) and Arborfield Garrison (10 miles south-east).
Near you in Gallowstree Common
Around Gallowstree Common, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Reformation pub, Kidmore End Church of England Primary School and The Warwick School, among other places. The closest station to Gallowstree Common is Tilehurst station, roughly 3.3 miles south. Well-known places in the area include Battle Hospital (4.1 miles south). Open spaces near Gallowstree Common include Hartslock.
How a thermal roof survey works in Gallowstree Common
A thermal survey is not a quick fix for every roof problem. Sun, shade, reflective surfaces and wind can all change what the camera shows. We back up the images with moisture readings and a careful look at the roof. The report is clear about what the images show and what they do not. If a finding can’t be confirmed, the report suggests a next step. If you’ve noticed ceilings that feel colder in places and water getting in at parapets and stacks, we can find out what’s behind it.
Older buildings in small places like Gallowstree Common may be listed or in a conservation area. A look from the air or with a thermal camera doesn’t touch the roof, so it is a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, 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
- Gallowstree Common (RG4)
- Wider area
- Reading
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
The visit has one job: to see as much of the roof as can safely be seen and record it clearly. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. It usually takes between one and two hours for a house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a hamlet or village like Gallowstree Common, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- First we discuss the roof, any damp and the forecast for the visit.
- The roof is inspected visually from safe positions.
- We take thermal images of the roof and of the loft where we can reach it.
- We take moisture readings where the images suggest a problem.
- Each image is set beside a normal photo and explained in the report.
How to prepare
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
Book a survey
Getting a price is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or email us, let us know about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Advice
Surveys for landlords and agents in Gallowstree Common
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed beforehand. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends, which helps when tenants work during the week.
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out with the most urgent first where relevant, which helps when budgeting.
Honest limits
To be straight with you, there are limits to any roof survey:
- The condition of timbers we can’t see
- Readings unaffected by sun, shade or reflections
- A structural engineer’s assessment
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Gallowstree Common
- Flat roofs
- Pitched roof slopes
- Ceilings below the roof
- Loft conversions
- Insulated roof spaces
- Commercial roofs
Questions from Gallowstree Common
Do you cover Gallowstree Common?
We do. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos.
Will you come out to Gallowstree Common?
Yes, Gallowstree Common is covered. We work right across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
How long will you be at the property?
Most surveys take an hour or two for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. We’ll confirm the timing as you book.
What does the report include?
It sets out what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, with photographs throughout. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Is thermal imaging useful on pitched roofs?
It can be useful, though pitched roofs are normally harder to read. The air space under slates and tiles can hide patterns, so we combine it with an inspection from the loft where there’s safe access.
Can you check my loft insulation with a thermal camera?
Thermal images can suggest where heat is escaping and where insulation may be missing. The survey is not an energy rating or a heat loss calculation, but the images show where improvements may help.
What we look for on each type of roof
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.
Parapets, valleys and junctions
When valley or parapet gutters overflow, water can get into walls and ceilings. We use the camera and moisture readings to help follow it.
What we are asked to look at in Gallowstree Common
After a long-running leak, insulation under a flat roof can stay wet. Owners want to know how far it has spread before deciding what to do. Thermal images and moisture readings together can show the likely extent.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed one of these:
- Areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions
- Cold areas below the roof
- Damp around chimneys and parapets
- Areas of a flat roof that may hold water
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St John the Baptist, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from ground level, and that is where a view from above or with a thermal imager helps.
What to check before booking
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- What experience they bring
- When you will get the report
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
Also near Gallowstree Common
More services for Gallowstree Common
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A lot can be seen from ground level. 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.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way. That’s where a survey comes in.