Wokingham · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Reading
We carry out thermal roof surveys in Reading and the rest of Wokingham. Surveys run seven days a week.
- Leaks far from where the stain appears
- Patches of heat loss across the roof
- Missing or slipped insulation
Landlords, agents and block managers in Reading
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work around your tenants.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Thermal roof survey in Reading: what you get
Thermal imaging is a useful tool, but it has limits. 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. Our report says plainly what the camera picked up and how sure we can be. Where something cannot be confirmed, we say what would help next. If you’ve noticed damp where roofs meet walls and chimneys and moisture around outlets and upstands, we can find out what’s behind it, on flat roofs, commercial roofs and insulated roof spaces alike.
In a place the size of Reading, a good many roofs are tall, steep or very large, and many can’t be seen properly from ground level. A drone gives close-up photos, while thermal imaging can show patterns that point to trapped moisture or missing insulation. Which suits depends on the question you need answering. Both depend on the weather on the day.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photographs, emailed to you. It sets out the condition of the roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Location
- Reading (RG6, RG31, RG1, RG30)
- Region
- Wokingham
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Can I check my roof myself?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That’s where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Do not go up yourself.
When to book a survey in Reading
On big commercial and residential flat roofs, thermal imaging helps owners plan. It can suggest which areas may be wet and which seem dry, so we know where to take moisture readings.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Wet areas near outlets and upstands
- Gaps in loft insulation
- Damp that repairs haven’t cured
- Water that travels before it shows
If you run a hotel or guest house in or near Reading, a roof problem can mean rooms out of use, so it pays to find faults before guests do.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- How long the report takes to arrive
Flying and imaging in Reading
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. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from the ground, drone photos and thermal images add detail. Mapledurham House, about 3.6 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Reading. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
For businesses in and around places such as The Oracle, a commercial roof can be photographed from above without anyone walking on it. Take an older house close to All Nations Christian Centre: older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where close-up aerial shots and thermal images help.
Reading is about 38 miles west of London, in Wokingham. Bookings from Reading are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Reading is one of the places in Wokingham we cover.
Here we cover the RG6, RG31, RG1 and RG30 postcode area for thermal roof surveys. We offer thermal roof surveys to properties on Downshire Square, Market Way and Market Place. Being close to the A4 and A33, Reading is simple for us to get to. We also cover the places around Reading: Coley Park (1 mile south-west), West Reading (1 mile north-west), Newtown (1 mile east), Lower Caversham (1 mile north-east) and Whitley (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Wokingham (6 miles south-east), Woodley (3 miles east), Crowthorne (9 miles south-east), Lower Earley (3 miles south-east), Winnersh (4 miles east) and Woosehill (6 miles south-east). Reading is one of the larger places we cover in Wokingham.
Local landmarks in Reading
Around Reading, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Former Kennet Arms, Eldon Square and Kendrick School. Nearby too are University of Reading library (1.5 miles south-east) and Eurospeak Language School (0.5 miles north). For rail, the closest station is Reading West station, about 0.7 miles north-west. A little further out are The Oracle (less than half a mile north-east) and Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre Museum (0.8 miles east). The countryside around Reading includes Sonning Hill and Longwater.
Honest limits
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Insulation values or heat loss calculations
- A structural engineer’s assessment
- Confirming water without moisture readings
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Ceilings below the roof
- Pitched roof slopes
- Loft conversions
- Insulated roof spaces
- Commercial roofs
- Flat roofs
The survey, step by step
There isn’t much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes about 1–2 hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. For a commercial building or block in Reading, roof access is agreed with whoever manages it before the visit. For homes, clear the way to the loft hatch and let us know about any leaks you know of. The written report follows, with photographs.
- 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.
- We take thermal images of the roof to pick up temperature patterns.
- We check the patterns that stand out with moisture readings where there’s safe access.
- The report sets out the images, what they suggest and what we recommend.
Before the survey
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Getting a price
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. To book or ask a question, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
Reading: your questions answered
What do I need to do before a survey in Reading?
Clear the way to the loft hatch if there is one, and let us know about any leaks, stains or past repairs. Let us know about parking and access in Reading too.
Is Reading in the area you cover?
Yes, Reading is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Reading as anywhere else.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We point out what can be seen, such as sagging or deflection, but we’re not structural engineers and do not carry out calculations. If we think you need an engineer, the report says so.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you’ll need a RICS survey as well.
Will you walk on the roof?
Not always. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where applicable let us see the rest, and the report records anything we couldn’t see.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling aren’t something we do. Where a material might contain it, such as old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it is disturbed.
How long is the visit?
It normally takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, and more on a big or complicated roof. We will confirm the timing when booking.
Also near Reading
More services for Reading
Roof by roof
GRP fibreglass roofs
Water can get through cracked GRP into the deck. We look at cracks by eye and use the images to see whether there is a pattern around them.
Parapets, valleys and junctions
Damp at junctions can be hard to see by eye. A careful visual inspection goes alongside the images.