East Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Beckley Furnace, East Sussex
Not sure what state the chimney stack is in? We carry out chimney surveys in Beckley Furnace and across East Sussex.
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
- A stack that appears to lean
What we are asked to look at in Beckley Furnace
Stacks that were used for open fires for many years can weaken from the inside. Flue gases and damp can break down the mortar, sometimes more on one side than the other, which can make a stack lean.
We are often asked to look at:
- Damp patches on chimney breasts
- Flaunching that has broken away
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
- Disused chimneys trapping moisture
If you look after a building like Brede Primary School, long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.
Questions to ask before booking
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Are they insured for the work?
- What they won’t be able to tell you
Chimney survey in Beckley Furnace: what you get
A leaning chimney stack is worth having looked at. A stack may lean because the mortar on one side has weakened, which can happen over many years of use. The survey notes how the stack looks, how far it seems to lean and the state of the bricks and joints. If the stack looks like a structural issue, the report recommends a structural engineer. We survey chimney breasts, shared and party-wall stacks and brick chimney stacks, and common reasons people get in touch are damaged chimney pots and cowls and eroded joints in the brickwork.
Village roofs often face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, 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. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are frequently where weather gets in first.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.
- Location
- Beckley Furnace (TN31)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Also in Beckley Furnace
Why it is worth a survey now in Beckley Furnace
Most people never get a careful look at their chimney stacks. Problems often go unnoticed until damp appears inside. Surveying the stack now can catch problems first. Outbuildings and barns around Beckley Furnace are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package matters as well. We will give you the figure before anything is booked.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Beckley Furnace
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Plain-English reports with photos
Take a look at our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.
Tips that help
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Tips:
- Check with the council before altering a stack in a conservation area or on a listed building
- Use the report as a baseline for future checks
- Note any damp on chimney breasts and when it appears
- Look at the chimneys with binoculars after a storm
The report is emailed to you, ready to share with a roofer or builder. We use plain English and a photo for each defect, so it is easy to follow.
Check your stacks from the street or garden after a storm. Binoculars help you spot loose pots, missing mortar or lifted flashings.
What we do, step by step
Where it’s relevant and can be reached safely, the loft space is checked as well as the outside. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging. The whole visit typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. Cottages and farmhouses around Beckley Furnace often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- First we talk through the stacks, their history and any problems.
- We look at every stack from wherever it can be seen safely.
- We photograph and record the pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
- Inside, the chimney breasts and the loft are checked for damp where there is access.
- The report, with photographs and recommendations, is emailed to you.
Before the survey
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Jot down any questions you want answered
How to book
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: ring 07833 053749 or send us an email, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Advice
DIY checks: what’s safe
You can learn a lot from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
It helps to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when you book.
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Beckley Furnace
Historic houses such as Great Dixter, about 2.7 miles north, show how far back building in the area around Beckley Furnace goes. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs, and oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of East Sussex’s older buildings. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first.
For landlords with property near Doleham station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Beckley Furnace is about 7 miles north of Hastings, in East Sussex. In Beckley Furnace, as across East Sussex, every roof gets the same careful survey. Beckley Furnace is one of the places in East Sussex we cover. Maidstone is in our area too.
Chimney surveys in TN31 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Other places close to Beckley Furnace include Broad Oak (1 mile south-west), Broadland Row (1 mile south-east), Beckley (2 miles north-east), Udimore (2 miles south-east) and Northiam (3 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Hastings (7 miles south), Bexhill-on-Sea (10 miles south-west), St Leonards (8 miles south), Hastings Old Town (7 miles south), Belmont (7 miles south) and Hollington (7 miles south-west).
Around Beckley Furnace
For rail, the closest station is Doleham station, about 2.9 miles south. A little further out are Conquest Hospital (5.6 miles south). For a walk, there is Flatropers Wood.
Beckley Furnace: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in Beckley Furnace is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
I let a flat near Doleham station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, letting agents and landlords book with us as well as owners. Just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and let us know about the building, including who will give access on the day.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only when it’s safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where applicable, a drone, and the report notes anything we couldn’t see.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first, with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you get in touch and we will explain what’s needed.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
What’s the best way to book?
It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. Let us know the address and a little about the roof, and we’ll take it from there. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
That depends on the survey. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access; we will agree the details when booking.
How the survey changes by roof type
Brick stacks
Spalled bricks, where the face has flaked off, are a sign of water and frost. We record any we can see.
Flaunching
Flaunching takes the worst of the weather. The survey checks for cracking and gaps around each pot.