Roof Inspection Hampshire

Damp patches are a reliable sign of active water intrusion and indicate that a roof inspection is needed. Brown stains on upstairs ceilings following rain are a common symptom of water penetrating the roof covering.

Damp patches, missing slates and granules in gutters all point to active wear and potential damage that requires professional identification.

Missing slates or slipped tiles visible from the street or garden indicate fixing failure or wind damage that leaves the roof open to water entry. Loose verge tiles and lifted ridge caps are among the most common faults found during inspections.

A roof inspection is advisable within the first two years of a new installation, as manufacturer defects and poor workmanship often become apparent within that period.

Granules collecting in gutters indicate surface wear on tiles or slates and show that the roof covering is beginning to degrade. This wear can reduce the roof’s protective capacity and increase its vulnerability to water penetration.

Identifying this early through a professional assessment keeps any resulting repair work small and manageable.

Cracked mortar around chimneys and ridge lines allows water to penetrate the bedding and seep behind flashings. Cracked mortar bedding on ridge or hip tiles is one of three critical signs that require attention within two weeks.

Coastal properties in Hampshire are particularly exposed to salt spray and strong winds, and the county’s winter weather accelerates the rate at which mortar deteriorates on these roofs.

Daylight visible through loft boards or felt joints means there are gaps in the roof structure that are allowing both light and water to penetrate. Visible daylight through the deck or felt joints is one of three critical signs requiring prompt action within two weeks.

We carry out an external survey of tiles, ridges, hips, valleys and verges from ladder height to identify surface defects. Slipped tiles visible from the street or garden are a common finding during this part of the assessment.

A typical visit lasts 60 to 90 minutes from arrival to completion. We photograph each defect and categorise it as pass, monitor, or repair.

We examine all junctions — including flashings around chimneys, skylights and party walls — as these are the points where water most commonly penetrates. Flashing is designed to seal these joints, and when it splits or lifts, water can seep behind the tiles.

Cracked mortar around chimneys and ridge lines is one of the signs visible from ground level. Each defect is assigned a priority rating so you understand what requires immediate attention.

We inspect the rainwater goods — fascias, soffits, gutters and downpipes — for blockages, sagging or damage. On older terraced properties, a blocked downpipe can cause more damage than a slipped tile, which is why we include this check as standard.

Sagging or detached gutter sections often result from weakened fascia timber. Each roof section is categorised as pass, monitor, or repair, and the findings are presented in a detailed written report with photographs.

We carry out a loft survey to assess the underlay, battens, insulation and visible timbers for hidden damage. The loft is often where problems first become apparent — wet insulation, blackened rafters and visible daylight each point to issues that are not detectable from the outside.

Daylight through loft boards or felt joints indicates gaps allowing water entry. Each year, a significant proportion of our Hampshire inspection reports identify urgent structural issues that were discovered during the loft survey.

We use drones to capture close-up images of high ridges, tall chimneys and dormers that cannot be safely accessed from a ladder. We photograph the loft, eaves and every elevation, and provide a detailed written report with annotated photographs following the inspection.

Each defect is categorised as pass, monitor, or repair, and the report includes close-up images alongside a recommended repair schedule.

For those buying or selling a property, a pre-purchase inspection can identify hidden defects that a standard valuation may overlook, providing solid grounds for negotiation.

A standard inspection on a typical three-bedroom Hampshire home takes 45 to 90 minutes from arrival to final notes. Roof pitch, access difficulty and the type of survey required all influence the duration.

We complete inspections on semi-detached homes with simple gable ends in under an hour, while larger properties with multiple dormers may take close to two hours. Most routine appointments conclude within the 90-minute timeframe.

For a pre-purchase survey, we allow approximately two hours on site in order to document every defect fully for legal purposes.

Ensure there is clear access to the loft, remove parked cars from the driveway, and gather any previous roofing paperwork. A blocked loft hatch is the most common cause of delays on arrival.

Removing boxes from beneath the loft hatch the evening before can save time on the day, and keeping pets contained during the visit is advisable.

Please inform us of any fragile tiles or recent patch repairs, and provide previous guarantees, FENSA certificates or installer invoices if the visit is for a pre-purchase survey.

The more documentation you can provide, the more precise the resulting report will be.

Roof inspections can proceed in light rain, and we schedule some visits while a leak is active, as moisture trails are easier to trace before they dry out.

Severe storms, ice or winds exceeding 25mph require drone-only or loft-side methods to be used in place of ladder access.

We reserve emergency slots for storm-damaged properties and attend most callouts within 24 to 48 hours.

Flat roofs require a separate survey because EPDM, GRP and felt systems each fail in different ways. Bubbling, ponding and lifted seams are the primary indicators of water damage on a flat roof.

For rear extensions, garage roofs and single-storey flat dormers, we use walk-on or drone access to check seam laps, drainage outlets and upstand flashings against parapet walls.

Hampshire homes with both pitched and flat sections often book a combined survey, with the report covering each surface type and its individual condition grading.

We discuss any urgent findings with you on site and recommend temporary safety measures before we leave. Slipped tiles, exposed underfelt and unstable chimney stacks may require same-day tarping or scaffold cover.

From the on-site conversation, you receive three things:

• A written hazard notice for any immediate safety risk
• A prioritised repair list ordered by urgency
• Clear guidance on whether buildings insurance may cover the work

Many of our Hampshire inspections uncover defects requiring resolution within 30 days. Insurers accept survey reports as evidence for storm-damage claims, which can expedite payouts during a busy winter period.