Roof leak investigation in Exeter
Professional roof leak investigation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£160
Typical Duration
1.5-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Roof leak investigated properly to find where water's actually getting in. Clear explanation of the problem and honest advice on what needs fixing.
Water's Coming In - But From Where?
That damp patch on your ceiling isn't telling you where the leak actually is. Water gets in somewhere up on the roof, travels along timbers or under felt, then drips through wherever it finds a gap. Could be 2 metres away from the entry point, could be more.
💡 Pro tip: "It only leaks in heavy rain" or "only when wind's from a certain direction" are clues, not problems. They help me pinpoint where to look - and tell me it's probably a small gap that needs specific conditions to let water in.
Why Investigation Saves Money
Guessing at roof repairs wastes your money.
| ✅ Proper Investigation | ❌ Guessing |
|---|---|
| Find actual leak source | Replace random tiles hoping one was it |
| Fix the right thing first time | Multiple visits, trial and error |
| Honest assessment of extent | Miss additional damage nearby |
| Know the cost before committing | Open-ended expense |
What You Get
🔧 Roof Leak Investigation Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Access | Get onto roof safely to inspect properly |
| Investigate | Check likely areas, look for entry points and damage |
| Explain | Show you (photos if needed) what's actually wrong |
| Quote | Price for proper repair, no obligation |
📦 You're Left With
- Know exactly what's wrong
- Clear explanation you can understand
- Written quote for repair work
- Honest timeline for when it needs doing
Pricing Guide
| Investigation Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple inspection, obvious problem | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Detailed investigation, complex leak | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
| Extensive inspection, multiple issues | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. If I fix the leak same visit, investigation time included in repair cost.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Water stains appearing - on ceiling, walls, in loft
✅ Can't find the leak - tried but the source isn't obvious
✅ Only leaks sometimes - specific weather conditions
✅ Before buying house - want to know extent of roof problems
Why Choose Us for Roof leak investigation in Exeter?
Leak source identified accurately
Honest assessment of damage extent
Clear explanation of what's needed
Repair quote provided on the spot
What to Expect
Step 1: Initial Assessment
I look at where water's appearing inside and check the roof area above it. Old houses especially, I check likely problem spots like chimney flashings, valleys, dodgy repairs.
Step 2: Up On The Roof
Safe access up to roof level and proper inspection. Sometimes the damage is obvious, sometimes you need to look carefully at suspect areas.
Step 3: Honest Explanation
I'll explain what's actually wrong in plain English, show you photos if that helps, and give you a quote for fixing it. No bullshit, no upselling.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you want to investigate yourself, here's how to stay safe and actually find problems:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- SAFE access to roof (this is critical)
- Binoculars for ground-level inspection first
- Camera for photos
- Torch for loft inspection
- Someone on ground watching
🪜 Safety first
- Check from ground with binoculars first - obvious damage?
- If you go up, proper ladder setup or scaffold tower
- Never go on roofs alone
- Weather matters - wet tiles are lethal
- Know your limits - if roof's steep or high, get professional
🔍 What to look for
- Broken, slipped or missing tiles - obvious entry points
- Flashing around chimneys - pulled out of mortar, cracked
- Valley problems - lead split, mortar failed, tiles cracked
- Ridge tiles loose - rocking or gaps in mortar
- Roofline rot - fascia, soffit, bargeboard damage
- Flat roof issues - splits, blisters, pooling water
🏠 Inside investigation
- Check loft when it's raining (carefully)
- Look for wet rafters, damp insulation
- Follow water stains back toward source
- Check for daylight through gaps
- Inspect chimneys and party walls
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Going on roof in unsafe conditions
- Assuming drip point = leak point
- Missing multiple leak sources
- Damaging tiles while investigating
- Not checking loft space properly
💡 Pro trick: Investigate in the loft during heavy rain if possible. You can often see where water's actually coming in and running. But be careful - wet loft insulation and ceiling joists are slippery and dangerous.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Old house in Exeter? Victorian and Edwardian roofs have specific common failure points - lead valleys, parapet walls, chimney flashings. I see them all the time and know where to look first.
Multiple leaks? Sometimes what looks like one leak is actually several small entry points. I'll find them all and give you options - fix the urgent ones now, plan for the rest later if budget's tight.
Roof beyond repair? If investigation shows the roof's completely done and needs replacing, I'll tell you straight. I can quote for that work or recommend specialists if it's a big job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I just see where the leak is?
Because water rarely comes in where you see it dripping inside. It gets in somewhere on the roof, runs along timbers or under felt, then drips through somewhere else entirely. Finding the actual entry point needs experience and proper inspection.
What causes roof leaks?
Broken or slipped tiles, failed flashing around chimneys, cracked valleys, rotten roofline letting water behind gutters, flat roof failures - loads of possible causes. That's why investigation matters - fix the actual problem, not just where water appears inside.
Will you fix the leak while you're there?
If it's a simple fix I can do safely with what's on the van, and you're happy with the price, yes - job done in one visit. Bigger jobs I'll give you a proper quote and book in to do it right with correct access equipment.
What if the leak only happens in heavy rain?
That's common - light rain doesn't get driven into the small gaps where water's entering. I'll still find it. The damage and water stains tell the story even when it's dry outside.
Do you charge for investigation even if I don't use you for the repair?
Yes - I'm spending time safely accessing your roof and using my knowledge to find the problem. But I'll give you an honest assessment even if the repair's beyond what I do. You'll know exactly what needs doing.
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