The short answer
Yes. We investigate likely water ingress routes through roofs, parapets, rainwater goods, facades, windows, balconies, basements and service penetrations. The aim is to identify the actual entry point and mechanism, not just the place water appears internally, so the repair addresses the cause.
Identify the likely entry route and mechanism before specifying a repair for the internal symptom.
Key considerations
Water ingress
Investigation of roof, facade, balcony, basement and services-related ingress.
When to instruct a building defect surveyor
There is a recurring leak or unexplained internal damp.
Cause analysis
Evidence-led diagnosis explaining why the defect is occurring.
What to record before an investigation
Record where the problem appears, when it occurs, the repair history and any photographs.
Include any earlier reports or drawings and explain which repairs have already been tried.
Give the building address, postcode, type, approximate age and size, and your timescale.
Describe access arrangements and identify any occupied areas.
When the first evidence is inconclusive
Where the evidence is inconclusive, HCS says so and recommends a proportionate next step rather than overstating certainty.
Ask what question the next step is intended to answer and whether it needs additional access or specialist input.
Where further evidence may be needed
Do you investigate defects in period and listed buildings?
Yes. Period and listed buildings are a core part of this work. We consider breathable construction, historic materials, past inappropriate repairs and conservation constraints, and we flag where listed building consent or specialist conservation input is relevant before remedial work is specified.
Turning the answer into a next step
How quickly can you inspect and report?
Timing depends on the building, access and the nature of the defect. We confirm a realistic timescale when we quote and can prioritise urgent matters such as an active leak, a stalled transaction or a dispute deadline where possible.
What to do next
Inspect the building fabric and internal symptom together.
Check likely routes through roofs, facades, openings, basements and services.
Distinguish the entry point from where water appears internally.
Set further opening-up or repair after defining the diagnostic question.
London area guides
Related services
Related questions
What is building pathology?
Building pathology is the forensic study of why building defects occur, rather than just listing visible symptoms. It looks at the building fabric, construction, environmental conditions, history and previous repairs to establish the underlying cause of a defect, so the right remedy can be specified and money is not wasted on the wrong treatment.
Do you carry out opening-up works directly?
Under a building-pathology appointment we specify, and where agreed observe, diagnostic opening-up; the physical work is undertaken under a separate contractor appointment so responsibility, method, insurance and reinstatement are clear. Any later group works quotation with sister practice Hampstead Renovations is optional and subject to a role-conflict review. We scope opening-up so it answers the diagnostic question without unnecessary cost or damage.
Will the report tell me how to fix the defect?
Yes. Once the cause is established, the report sets out a proportionate remedial strategy: what to do, why, in what sequence and what to avoid. Where firm costs or detailed design are needed, we identify where a contractor quotation, structural engineer or other specialist is the right next step.
Related guidance
Local Level 3 building survey guides
Savas Bulduk
BSc (Hons) MRICS, Director & Chartered Building Surveyor.
Writes on Building surveying, Fire safety and facade, External wall systems, Technical due diligence, Contract administration. See the full team profile.
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