West Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Abbotsford, West Sussex
Wondering about the chimney stack at a property in Abbotsford? We carry out chimney surveys in Abbotsford and across West Sussex.
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
How a chimney survey works in Abbotsford
A chimney stands up above the roof, exposed to wind, rain and frost on every side. In time, flaunching cracks, mortar washes out and flashings come loose. That lets water into the brickwork, which can show up as damp on a chimney breast or in the loft space. We record what we find with photographs and recommendations. Typical surveys look at bricks with flaking faces and mortar washing out of the joints, across brick chimney stacks, chimney breasts and chimney pots and cowls.
In a small place like Abbotsford, many roofs stand in the open, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are often the first to give way.
The report does not just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend.
- Where
- Abbotsford (RH15)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Before and after the survey
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Check that disused chimneys can still breathe
- Glance at the stacks from the street now and then
- Photograph damp patches with the date
- Leave close inspection to people with safe access
With a shared stack, the report can help when talking to next door. It shows what we found and where from the viewpoints we used.
Unused stacks should be capped in a way that still lets air through. Ventilation helps keep the stack dry.
Nearby places to Abbotsford
More services for Abbotsford
Signs you need a chimney survey in Abbotsford
The flaunching on top of a stack holds the pots in place and sheds water. Cracked flaunching lets water in, and each winter makes it worse. In time, the pots can become loose.
A survey can pick up problems like:
- Damp patches on chimney breasts
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- Bricks with flaking faces
For landlords with property near Wivelsfield station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
What to check before booking
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
When you need someone else
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Hidden sides of a shared stack
- Gas safety checks, which need a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Conditions inside walls
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will suggest the right survey before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Lead flashings
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Brick chimney stacks
- Flaunching
- Chimney breasts
Questions from Abbotsford
Is Abbotsford within the area you cover?
Yes, Abbotsford is covered. Our area covers London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Wivelsfield station?
Yes, landlords and agents book with us as well as owners. You can call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and a few details, including who will give access on the day.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We note visible signs such as sagging or deflection, but we are not structural engineers and do not carry out calculations. Where an engineer is needed, we say so in the report.
Which parts of the chimney do you look at?
We check the pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing, brickwork and flashings. We also check chimney breasts and the stack in the loft space where we can reach. You get a written report with photos.
Why is my chimney breast damp?
There are a few common causes: cracked flaunching, worn pointing, failed flashings, uncapped pots, or damp trapped in an unventilated stack. Our survey checks each of these and records the likely cause.
When does the report arrive?
That depends on the survey you book: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. Reports are sent by email.
How long does the survey take?
Time on site depends on the roof; most visits take about 1–2 hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. The written report follows by email.
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney breasts and the loft
Stains on timbers or brickwork around the stack can point to a leak. We record what we see with photos.
Flaunching
We often find flaunching that has cracked or broken away. Caught early, it’s often a small job.
What happens if roof problems are left?
A loose pot or brick can fall from height. Finding them early means they can be dealt with before they come down by a roofer. Outbuildings and barns around Abbotsford are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all with VAT included. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
What you get with us
- 98% of customers satisfied
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Plain-English reports with photos
- An independent look at the roof
Read our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.
Local roofs in Abbotsford
Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Whatever the covering, it’s frequently the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first. About 2.3 miles north lies Ockenden Manor, a reminder of how long the area around Abbotsford has been built on. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you live in an older home near St Edward the Confessor, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine. If you look after a building like St Paul's Catholic College, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale.
Abbotsford is about 1 mile north-west of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. Wherever you are in Abbotsford, we can carry out chimney surveys at your property. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our Brighton page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in RH15 is covered for chimney surveys. We also cover the places around Abbotsford: Jacob's Post (1 mile south), World's End (1 mile south-east), Burgess Hill (1 mile south-east), Goddards Green (1 mile west) and Ansty (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns like Crawley (10 miles north), Horsham (10 miles north-west), Worthing (15 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (3 miles north-east), East Grinstead (12 miles north-east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (11 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Abbotsford
Around Abbotsford, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Woolpack Public House and Sheddingdean Community Primary School, among other places. The closest station to Abbotsford is Wivelsfield station, about 1.2 miles south-east. Other landmarks nearby include Burgess Hill Museum (1.3 miles south-east) and Clayton Castle (4.4 miles south). Open spaces near Abbotsford include Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve and Wolstonbury Hill.
How it works
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Cottages and farmhouses around Abbotsford frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- You tell us whether any stacks are shared, unused or leaning.
- We check the roof around each stack, including the flashings.
- The top of each stack is checked for cracked flaunching and loose pots.
- We note the brickwork, pointing and any sign of leaning.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
Before we arrive
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Arrange a survey
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.