Greater London · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Riddlesdown
Know where you stand with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out thermal roof surveys in Riddlesdown.
- Damp around chimneys and parapets
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
Practical tips
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Keep the heating on as usual before a heat loss survey
- Leave the roof to people with safe access
- Let us know where and when you’ve seen damp or stains
- Clear a path to the loft hatch before we arrive
We note the weather and surface conditions, and how they may have affected the results. That way you know how much weight to give each finding.
Watch for new damp patches on ceilings beneath the roof. Catching a leak early stops insulation getting soaked.
Thermal roof survey in Riddlesdown: what you get
Your report sets out the thermal images alongside ordinary photos, so it’s easy to see which part of the roof each one shows. We explain what each pattern may mean, what the moisture readings found and what we recommend. With a Premium Survey, the report reaches you the same day. If you have questions, the in-person consultation gives you time to go through them. There is a 12-month follow-up as well. If you are worried about thin or uneven insulation in the roof and damp around roof outlets and upstands, we can find out what’s behind it.
In London’s terraces and conversions, roofs are packed close together, which makes care around neighbours part of the job. Images are taken to show the roof we are surveying, with care for neighbours’ privacy. Let us know about the building and access when you book. The extra view helps most on steep slopes, tall stacks and rear additions.
It isn’t only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Where
- Riddlesdown (CR8, CR2)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
DIY checks: what’s safe
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
When you need someone else
This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Reliable images in rain, strong wind or on a wet roof surface
- Seeing water directly, as the camera shows temperature, not moisture
- Whether the deck or roof structure is strong enough
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before booking. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Commercial roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
- Loft conversions
- Flat roofs
- Insulated roof spaces
- Pitched roof slopes
Common questions in Riddlesdown
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Riddlesdown?
Usually it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. Across London there are restriction zones around Heathrow, London City and London Heliport, plus restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs. Every London address is checked against them before a flight. Every flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. The flight also waits for calm, dry weather, and the rest of the survey doesn’t depend on the drone.
Is my home in Riddlesdown listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Is thermal imaging good for finding leaks?
It is a useful tool for tracing leaks, but not the only one. The results depend on conditions on the day. If the source can’t be confirmed, we will say what could help next, such as electronic leak detection.
What do I do with the report?
You will get the report by email, with photos and clear recommendations. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We’re roof surveyors, not structural engineers, and it doesn’t include calculations. We’ll recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
What a survey costs
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Thermal roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
What to let us know when you get in touch
What helps most when you contact us:
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- Anything about access we should know
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Drones, thermal imaging and Riddlesdown roofs
With Addington Palace about 3 miles north-east, Riddlesdown sits in an area with a long building history. If yours is one of the older homes, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Shop and office owners around St George's Walk may find that thermal images can show trapped moisture across a wide commercial roof. Parking in Riddlesdown, as in most of London, takes a little planning: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day easier. If you look after a building such as Harris Primary Academy Kenley, big roofs are where aerial photos and thermal images show the most at once.
Riddlesdown is about 1 mile east of Purley, in Greater London. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Riddlesdown can all book thermal roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. Riddlesdown is one of the places in Greater London we cover for thermal roof surveys. We also survey roofs in London.
We work across the CR8 and CR2 postcode area for thermal roof surveys and the streets around it. If you need a thermal roof survey at a property on Hyde Road, Lower Road and Famet Avenue or anywhere close by, we can help. Riddlesdown sits on or near the A22. Neighbouring places we cover for thermal roof surveys include Kenley (1 mile south), Sanderstead (1 mile north-east), South Croydon (2 miles north), Hamsey Green (2 miles south-east) and Whyteleafe (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include London (12 miles north), City of Westminster (13 miles north), Marylebone (13 miles north), Kensington (13 miles north), St Pancras (14 miles north) and Shoreditch (13 miles north).
Landmarks near Riddlesdown
Typical jobs here are in homes near Riddlesdown Collegiate and Dollypers Hill, among other places. Riddlesdown has its own railway station: Riddlesdown station. Other landmarks nearby include Croydon Airport Visitor Centre (2 miles north-west) and Purley War Memorial Hospital (1 mile north-west). The countryside around Riddlesdown includes Duppas Hill and Foxley Wood.
What we do, step by step
A survey visit follows a simple order: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, photograph what we find and record our findings for the written report. Most visits take about 1–2 hours at a typical home; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Surveys in Riddlesdown can be booked for any day of the week. It helps if you can point us to a visitor permit or a nearby bay. A back bedroom window can be the best vantage point for a rear addition, so we may ask to use one.
- 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.
- Each image is set beside a normal photo and explained in the report.
Before the survey
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Getting a price
To get a price for thermal roof surveys in Riddlesdown, phone 07833 053749 or email us. Some details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
Advice
Different roofs, different checks
Loft insulation
Loft insulation is easily disturbed when people store things or run cables. The camera can show where it no longer covers the ceiling.
Parapets, valleys and junctions
When valley or parapet gutters overflow, water can get into walls and ceilings. Thermal images, checked with moisture readings, can help trace it.