Southampton · London and the South East
Rownhams Thermal Roof Survey
Thermal roof surveys in Rownhams, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. You get a clear report with photographs.
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
- Damp where roofs meet walls and chimneys
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
Flying and imaging in Rownhams
Rownhams lies within about 3 miles of the sea, and wind off the sea can be strong. Clear thermal results need a dry roof and little wind after a sunny day, so the date depends on the forecast. About 3.5 miles east lies South Stoneham House, a reminder of how long the area around Rownhams has been built on. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters.
The streets around a church like Church of St John are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, tall stacks and steep slopes are easier to judge with close-up aerial photos than from the pavement. Shop and office owners around Marlands Shopping Centre may find that thermal images can show trapped moisture across a wide commercial roof.
Rownhams is about 3 miles north-east of Totton, in Southampton. In Rownhams, as across Southampton, every roof gets the same careful survey. Across Southampton, we cover Rownhams.
Thermal roof surveys in SO16 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Local streets include Rownhams Way, Horns Drove and Rownhams Close, all of which we cover. We also cover Upton (1 mile west), Nursling (1 mile south-west), Hillyfields (1 mile south-west), Lordswood (1 mile south-east) and Toothill (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Southampton (3 miles south-east), Townhill Park (4 miles east), Midanbury (4 miles east), Thornhill (6 miles south-east), Chartwell Green (5 miles east) and Harefield (5 miles south-east).
Landmarks near Rownhams
We work in homes and buildings around Oaklands Community School, St James' Park and Oasis Academy Lord's Hill, among other places. The nearest railway station is Redbridge station, roughly 2.1 miles south of the centre. A little further out are Princess Anne Hospital (1.3 miles south-east) and Eling Experience (2.4 miles south-west). The countryside around Rownhams includes Testwood Lakes.
How a thermal roof survey works in Rownhams
Wet insulation under a flat roof covering holds heat for longer than dry. So a wet patch can show as a warmer or cooler area on the camera. This can give an idea of how far water has travelled beneath the membrane, something you can’t usually tell from the surface. Moisture readings are then used to check what the camera suggests. Common reasons to book are damp around roof outlets and upstands and damp patches with no obvious cause, on pitched roof slopes, loft conversions and commercial roofs.
Around Rownhams, a good many roofs are low enough to see partly from the garden or the street. Chimney tops, valleys and rear slopes are where close-up or thermal images help most. The forecast decides the day, as calm, dry conditions suit both. Even so, a close-up image frequently shows wear on ridges and flashings that a view from ground level misses.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Rownhams (SO16)
- Region
- Southampton
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes about one to two hours for a house, and longer for a large or complex roof. For a survey in Rownhams, we agree the time, the access and parking before the day. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. If there are outbuildings or garages you want looked at, mention them.
- First we discuss the roof, any damp and the forecast for the visit.
- We look over the roof from wherever it’s safe.
- Thermal images are taken across the roof and, where there’s safe access, in the loft.
- Patterns that stand out are checked with moisture readings.
- The report pairs each thermal image with a photo and explains what it suggests.
Preparing for the visit
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Arrange a survey
Booking is simple: just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email, let us know about the property and we will point you to the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Advice
Signs you need a thermal roof survey in Rownhams
Building owners and managing agents use thermal surveys to plan work on larger flat roofs. It can suggest which areas may be wet and which seem dry, so moisture readings can be targeted.
Common reasons to book include:
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
- Moisture around outlets and upstands
- Water that travels before it shows
Take a building like Rownhams St John's Church of England Primary School: a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Is VAT included in the price?
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Different roofs, different checks
Felt and asphalt flat roofs
Water under felt or asphalt can stay hidden for years. The camera can give clues to where it’s sitting, when the conditions allow.
Pitched slate and tile roofs
From inside the loft, the camera can help with damp around chimneys, valleys and roof windows. Findings are checked with moisture readings.
Other services in Rownhams
Your questions about thermal roof surveys in Rownhams
Is Rownhams within the area you cover?
Yes, Rownhams is covered. We work right across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Rownhams?
Normally it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. The flight restriction zone around Southampton Airport comes within about 2 miles of Rownhams. We check the exact boundary for the address before flying, and if the roof falls inside it, we ask for permission first. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and the rest of the survey does not depend on the drone.
Does thermal imaging work on slate and tile roofs?
On pitched roofs, the camera can point to heat loss and some damp patterns. Our report is clear about what can be read from them, and we check them with a visual inspection and moisture readings.
Can a thermal camera see water?
Thermal imaging shows temperature rather than water. Because wet insulation holds heat for longer, it can show as a different temperature, but we check each finding with moisture readings.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Will you go up on the roof?
Only when it is safe. 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.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Why it’s worth a survey now in Rownhams
For buyers, a thermal survey adds detail that a visual inspection can’t give. Finding hidden moisture before exchange gives you facts to raise with the seller. In a smaller place like Rownhams, wherever a roof is exposed, a loose ridge or flashing doesn’t stay loose for long. Wind gets under it and lifts more.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Why book us in Rownhams
- Every finding written up with photos
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.
How we price thermal roof surveys
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- How big the roof is
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, which starts from £400, inc. VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Helping us price your survey
When you call or email, these details help:
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- The address and postcode of the property
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine, and please don’t climb up for a closer look. To get started, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Tips that help
Getting the most from a thermal roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Tips:
- Keep the heating on as usual before a heat loss survey
- Tell us where and when you’ve seen damp or stains
- Make sure the loft can be reached safely
- Leave the roof to people with safe access
Many people send the report to roofers, who can then quote for the areas shown. Because the images are paired with photos, it’s easy to find each area on the roof.
Make sure loft insulation covers the whole area and hasn’t been disturbed. Insulation is often moved when people work in the roof space.