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Repairs and surveys

Flat roof surveys and leak tracing across Cardiff

Leak tracing across Cardiff starts with the evidence inside and works outwards to the roof details where leaks usually begin: upstands, laps, outlets, trims and walls above the roof. Moisture readings show where the wet has spread, and a small core sample confirms what is underneath where needed. Then we explain the cause in writing.

Moisture meter being used on a flat roof membrane during a condition surveyComputer-generated example image
Guide price
£140–£280
Repair price
Confirmed once the leak or damage is found
Condition survey report
£140–£280
Coverage
England, Wales, Scotland, NI

Cardiff at a glance

Largest towns
Cardiff, Whitchurch
Postcode areas
CF
Building control
Cardiff Council
Neighbouring areas
Vale of Glamorgan · Caerphilly · Newport · Rhondda Cynon Taf
Guide price region
Wales (−8% on West Midlands rates)

How much does a flat roof survey cost in Cardiff?

Guide prices including VAT at Wales rates. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.

JobGuide price inc VAT
Condition survey and leak investigation£140–£280
Localised patch repair£140–£460
Upstand or flashing repair£230–£600
Emergency temporary weatherproofing visit£170–£410

Which flat roofs are common in Cardiff?

Flat roofs in Cardiff sit on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced, lock-up garage blocks on estates and shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats. Wales averages roughly 1,460 mm of rain a year, among the wettest in Britain, so we design for steady run-off: proper falls, clear outlets and upstands well above the finished roof. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.

Building regulations in Wales

Welsh guidance is that most re-roofing needs building control approval, so it's worth checking whenever more than a quarter of a roof is replaced or repaired. Renovated roofs are upgraded to around 0.16 W/m²K where feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.13 W/m²K under the Welsh Approved Document L. In Cardiff the application goes to Cardiff Council. More on the rules.

What does a flat roof survey report cover?

The report sets out what the roof is, what condition it is in and what we recommend, in plain language.

  • The roof system, approximate area and how the roof is built, as far as can be seen.
  • The condition of the covering: splits, blisters, crazing, lost chippings, open laps and wear.
  • Upstands, flashings, edge trims and rooflights.
  • Falls, ponding and the state of outlets and gutters.
  • Moisture readings and the findings of any core samples.
  • The likely cause of any leak, and how confident we are in it.
  • Recommended action, ranked by urgency, with guide costs.

We are clear about what we could and couldn't see. A survey can't inspect hidden timbers without opening them up, and we will say where a finding is an inference rather than a direct observation.

How long does a flat roof survey take and how long is it valid?

A survey of a typical garage or extension roof usually takes an hour or two on site. Larger, higher or multi-area roofs take longer, and the written report follows afterwards.

A survey describes the roof on the day it was inspected. It stays a useful baseline for planning, but roofs change, particularly older ones and after a hard winter or a storm. If you are using a report to plan a replacement some time later, or after a fresh leak, a short follow-up check is sensible. For roofs you manage over the long term, a regular inspection backed by the maintenance checklist picks up problems early.

Which towns in Cardiff do we cover?

Flat roof surveys and leak tracing in Cardiff: questions

Which towns in Cardiff do you cover?

All of Cardiff. The main towns have their own pages below, and if yours isn't listed we still cover it: send your postcode and we'll confirm.

How much does a flat roof survey cost in Cardiff?

£140–£280 for a condition survey and leak investigation, at Wales guide rates including VAT. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.

Which council handles building control for a flat roof in Cardiff?

It depends on where the roof is: in Cardiff that's Cardiff Council. Welsh guidance is that most re-roofing needs building control approval, so it's worth checking whenever more than a quarter of a roof is replaced or repaired. We confirm which applies at the survey.

Can you trace a flat roof leak without opening the roof up?

Often, yes. Careful inspection and moisture readings can usually locate the problem area. Where they can't, a small core sample is the most reliable way to confirm what is happening under the covering.

Do I need a roof survey when buying a house with a flat roof?

It's worth considering if the general survey flags damp, ponding or an ageing covering, or if the roof is large. A specific flat roof report gives you a clearer idea of what work may be needed and what it might cost.

Can a survey tell me if my flat roof has condensation rather than a leak?

It can often point to it. Damp that appears in cold weather without rain, a cold roof build-up with little ventilation and a dry covering above the damp all suggest condensation rather than a leak.

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