Kent · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in River, Kent
Find out the condition of the roof at your property in River from an independent roof surveyor. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
- Areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
What we can’t see
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- What’s inside walls or under coverings, without opening up
- Clear results when the conditions on the day are poor
- Seeing water directly, as the camera shows temperature, not moisture
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Ceilings below the roof
- Commercial roofs
- Flat roofs
- Insulated roof spaces
- Loft conversions
- Pitched roof slopes
Thermal roof survey in River: what you get
A thermal imaging roof survey uses a thermal camera to show differences in surface temperature across a roof. The patterns can suggest wet insulation, gaps in insulation or places where heat is getting out. It’s important to know that the camera shows temperature, not water, so findings are checked with moisture readings. Thermal imaging is included in our Premium Survey, from £400. Conditions on the day affect the results, and the report explains how. We are often asked to look into thin or uneven insulation in the roof and cold areas below the roof, on pitched roof slopes, insulated roof spaces and flat roofs.
Older cottages and houses around River may have little insulation, and some have extensions with their own roofs. Thermal patterns and close-up photos together give a fuller picture of the roof. Anything that looks like moisture is checked with a meter. Calm, dry weather suits both methods, so the date is set with the forecast in mind.
Nothing in the report is left vague: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, and where it can wait, that is said too.
- Location
- River (CT17, CT16)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What you can safely check yourself
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, which helps when we look at the roof.
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Flying and imaging in River
River lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and wind off the sea can be strong. Calm, dry conditions after a sunny day suit thermal imaging best, so the visit is planned around the forecast. If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Take a building like River Primary School: a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
River is about 1 mile north-west of Dover, in Kent. Anywhere in River, we can come and survey your property. Across Kent, we cover River. Our Canterbury page covers surveys nearby.
We work across CT17 and CT16 for thermal roof surveys and the streets around it. That includes homes and businesses on Lower Road, Minnis Lane and London Road and the roads around them. Neighbouring places we cover for thermal roof surveys include Kearsney (1 mile north-west), Temple Ewell (1 mile north-west), Dover (1 mile south-east), Whitfield (1 mile north-east) and Maxton (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (13 miles north-west), Folkestone (6 miles south-west), Ramsgate (15 miles north-east), Deal (7 miles north-east), Hythe (10 miles south-west) and Walmer (7 miles north-east).
What’s near River
We work in homes and buildings around St Edmund's Catholic School, Old Park Hill and Royal Oak Cottage The Royal Oak Public House. The nearest railway station is Kearsney station, about 0.5 miles north-west of the centre. Nearby you will also find Crabble Corn Mill (less than half a mile south-east) and Dover Castle (2.2 miles south-east). Not far away are Dover Western Heights.
What we’re asked to look at in River
Some owners book because the rooms under the roof feel cold. Gaps in loft insulation and poorly insulated roof areas can show up on the camera, especially when it’s warm inside and cold outside.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
- Cold areas below the roof
- Patches of heat loss across the roof
Take an older house close to Church of St Peter: thin or patchy insulation under an old roof often shows up clearly on a thermal image.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
More services for River
Roof by roof
Felt and asphalt flat roofs
Felt and asphalt roofs often show wet areas as patches that differ from the rest. We check those patches with moisture readings.
Loft insulation
From inside the loft, thermal imaging can show gaps in insulation and cold spots. We inspect the loft where it can be reached safely.
What happens on the day
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the roof space if there’s safe access. In total, it takes about 1–2 hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. In a smaller place like River, parking is seldom the issue; lanes, gates and long drives are worth mentioning. Low roofs on bungalows can frequently be seen well from the ground, and the loft shows the rest.
- We start with the roof, its history and any signs of damp or heat loss.
- The weather and surface conditions are recorded.
- A full inspection and thermal imaging are carried out together.
- We back up the thermal patterns with moisture readings.
- You get the report the same day, with an in-person consultation to follow.
Before we arrive
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
How to book
We confirm the price for your survey before you book, so you know the cost up front. Prices start from £400, including VAT. To book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
What affects the cost of thermal roof surveys
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- How big the roof is
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Height and safe access
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Booking your survey
You do not need to know any roofing terms. It is enough to let us know:
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- What’s prompted the survey
- Anything about access we should know
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
FAQs for River
Do you carry out roof surveys in River?
Yes, River is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in River as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Is River within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it’s useful to know about access.
What’s the best way to book?
Just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address. We will ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date, weekday or weekend.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We can flag materials that might contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
How long does the survey take?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof, but most surveys take an hour or two at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. The report is sent afterwards by email.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. Visible signs like deflection or sagging are recorded, but we don’t provide calculations or an engineer’s opinion. If one is needed, the report says so.
What does the report include?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, finishing with recommendations. Points are put with the most urgent first where relevant.