Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Northwood, Isle of Wight
Thermal roof surveys across Northwood, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. You get a clear report with photos.
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
- Damp around chimneys and parapets
- Missing or slipped insulation
Roof by roof
Loft insulation
Heat loss shows most clearly when it’s warm inside and colder outside. Our report notes how the conditions affected the images.
GRP fibreglass roofs
GRP roofs are laid over timber boards, so trapped moisture can affect the deck. Thermal imaging can suggest where that may be happening.
Thermal roof survey in Northwood: what you get
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 the camera can show patterns that help us follow it. We combine the images with a visual inspection and moisture readings, so no conclusion rests on one method alone. We survey loft conversions, ceilings below the roof and flat roofs, and the problems we are asked to look at most are gaps in loft insulation and possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering.
Older buildings in small places like Northwood may be 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. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, so check with the council first.
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.
- Where
- Northwood (PO31)
- Wider area
- Isle of Wight
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Places near Northwood
Also in Northwood
How the survey works
The aim of the visit is simple: to look at the roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Notes and photos go into the written report. It typically takes about one to two hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. Older roofs in small places like Northwood can have low, tight loft spaces, so it’s useful to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it’s safe.
- We go through the roof, the problem and the weather expected on the day.
- We look over the roof from wherever it is safe.
- Thermal images are taken across the roof and, where there is safe access, in the loft.
- We take moisture readings where the images suggest a problem.
- Each image is set beside a normal photo and explained in the report.
Getting ready for the survey
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the freeholder or managing agent
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Arrange a survey
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.
Advice
Surveys for landlords and agents in Northwood
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. Surveys run on any day of the week, which can make access easier.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.
Thermal roof surveys around Northwood
The coast is about 2 miles or less from Northwood, and wind off the sea can be strong. Thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof surface and little wind, so the date is chosen with the forecast in mind. With Osborne House about 2 miles east, Northwood sits in an area with a long building history. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters.
Take an older house close to All Saints' Church: thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Northwood is about 1 mile south of Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. Bookings from Northwood are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. We cover towns and villages across the Isle of Wight, large and small. We also survey roofs in Portsmouth.
Thermal roof surveys in PO31 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Local streets include Nodes Road, Wyatts Lane and Uplands Road, and we cover them all. Other places close to Northwood include Rew Street (1 mile west), Gurnard (1 mile north), Cowes (1 mile north), Noke Common (2 miles south) and Parkhurst (2 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Newport (3 miles south), Ryde (7 miles east), Sandown (9 miles south-east), Shanklin (10 miles south-east), Ventnor (11 miles south-east) and Oakfield (7 miles east). Harder-to-reach addresses take a little more planning, so please mention your location when you call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
What’s near Northwood
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Cowes Enterprise College and The Travellers Joy pub. A little further out are Isle of Wight Natural History Centre (0.5 miles north) and West Cowes Castle (1.7 miles north). The countryside around Northwood includes Mill Hill and Briddlesford Nature Reserve.
Before and after the survey
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- Keep outlets and gutters clear to stop water sitting
- Do not climb onto the roof to look for leaks yourself
- Talk to us about the weather when booking
- Use the report as a baseline for later checks
If you’re buying, the report gives you specific points to raise with the seller or agent. What you do with it is up to you, whether that’s asking for work or discussing the price.
Consider a repeat survey after major work on the roof in suitable weather.
What affects the price in Northwood
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. That comes down to:
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- How big the roof is
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package you pick makes a difference too. The price is always agreed first.
Booking your survey
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- Where the property is, with the postcode
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know where you stand. Prices start from £400, including VAT. To book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Signs you need a thermal roof survey in Northwood
Some defects simply can’t be seen with the eye. Trapped moisture, missing insulation and hidden heat loss are three examples. Thermal imaging gives us another way to look for them.
Typical things we are asked to look at include:
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
- Gaps in loft insulation
- Leaks far from where the stain appears
- Cold areas below the roof
Take a building like Northwood Primary School: thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
Questions to ask before booking
- Is VAT included in the price?
- When you will get the report
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Whether you get a written report with photos
FAQs for Northwood
Is Northwood within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We survey roofs across London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
How do I find out if my home in Northwood is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Does the report include photos?
Yes, every report has them. Each finding is shown in a picture where possible, which makes the report easy to follow.
How many surveys have you done?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
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. We confirm what it suggests with moisture readings.
Can thermal imaging show missing insulation?
The camera can point to heat loss and gaps in insulation. The survey is not an energy rating or a heat loss calculation, but the report shows where to look more closely.
Which survey includes thermal imaging?
It comes with our Premium Survey, which starts from £400. That also includes a full inspection, a drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and a same-day report.