Kent · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Ruckinge, Kent
Find out the condition of the roof at your property in Ruckinge from an independent roof surveyor. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
- Damp where roofs meet walls and chimneys
- Damp that repairs haven’t cured
How a thermal roof survey works in Ruckinge
Flat roofs over extensions, garages, flats and commercial buildings are where thermal imaging often helps most. Patterns can suggest where water is trapped under the covering. Pitched roofs with slates or tiles are often harder to read, because of the air space beneath, so we combine the camera with an inspection from the loft where there is safe access. We survey loft conversions, pitched roof slopes and commercial roofs, and people most often book us about leaks far from where the stain appears and cold areas below the roof.
Villages like Ruckinge often stand in open country, where wind can be strong. A small drone cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent, whichever applies.
- Location
- Ruckinge (TN26)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
Trapped water can harm decks, timbers and ceilings the longer it stays. Looking now, while the damage may still be limited, keeps more options open. In a small place like Ruckinge, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where applicable, from £400 including VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you’d like to know.
Why book with us
- More than 20 years surveying roofs
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- An independent view of the roof
- Packages from £150, inc. VAT
Read our cost guide and two real surveys.
What we do, step by step
You do not need to do much 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 roughly 1–2 hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. Somewhere as small as Ruckinge, access is frequently the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- 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.
- Moisture readings are used to check what the camera shows.
- You get the report the same day, with an in-person consultation to follow.
How to prepare
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Find any records of previous roof work
Book a survey
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
What we can’t see
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- What’s inside walls or under coverings, without opening up
- Seeing water directly, as the camera shows temperature, not moisture
- An energy rating for the building
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will suggest the right survey before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Loft conversions
- Pitched roof slopes
- Insulated roof spaces
- Commercial roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
- Flat roofs
Tips from our surveys
Getting the most from a thermal roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Use the report as a baseline for later checks
- Remember the conditions on the day affect the results
- Do not climb onto the roof to look for leaks yourself
- Photograph damp patches with the date
If the images suggest moisture that can’t be confirmed, we will say what would help next, for instance electronic leak detection or a roofer opening up a small section.
Watch for new damp patches on ceilings beneath the roof. Catching a leak early stops insulation getting soaked.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Ruckinge
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out by urgency where it matters, which helps with budgets and planning.
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Drones, thermal imaging and Ruckinge roofs
Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. You’ll also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail. If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Around Ruckinge, as everywhere, small roof faults are simplest to sort before they let water in.
Ruckinge is about 5 miles south of Ashford, in Kent. Wherever you are in Ruckinge, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. We cover towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our Canterbury page covers surveys nearby.
We work across TN26 for thermal roof surveys. We offer thermal roof surveys to properties on Oak Ridge and Hamstreet Road and the roads around them. If you’re just outside Ruckinge, we cover Hamstreet (1 mile west), Stone Cross (2 miles north), Orlestone (2 miles north-west), Bromley Green (3 miles north-west) and Kenardington (3 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (5 miles north), Folkestone (12 miles east), Hythe (8 miles east), Hawkinge (12 miles east), Tenterden (9 miles west) and Cheriton (11 miles east).
Around Ruckinge
For rail, the closest station is Ham Street station, about 1.5 miles west. Other landmarks nearby include William Harvey Hospital (5.3 miles north). The countryside around Ruckinge includes Orlestone Forest.
Questions from Ruckinge
Will you come out to Ruckinge?
Yes, we do. We work right across London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
Do you cover Ruckinge?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Ruckinge as anywhere else.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where applicable and safe. We fly a sub-250g drone and we are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where applicable.
What happens next?
You will get the report by email. With Standard there is a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
Which survey includes thermal imaging?
Thermal imaging is included in our Premium Survey, from £400. That also includes a full inspection, a drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and a same-day report.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Signs you need a thermal roof survey in Ruckinge
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 we know where to take moisture readings.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
- Wet areas near outlets and upstands
- Stains that keep coming back
- Areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions
The streets around a church such as Church of St Mary Magdalene are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from the ground, and that’s where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps.
What to check before booking
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- When you’ll get the report
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?