East Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Selmeston, East Sussex
Find out what’s going on with the chimney stack before you spend money on it. We carry out chimney surveys in Selmeston.
- Mortar washing out of the joints
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Staining on walls around the chimney
About our chimney survey in Selmeston
A leaning chimney stack is worth having looked at. Stacks can lean when mortar on one side breaks down, often after years of flue gases and damp. 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 pots and cowls, shared and party-wall stacks and lead flashings, and people most often book us about flashings pulling away from the stack and worn or missing pointing.
In a small place like Selmeston, 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 roof report shows what needs attention first. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are frequently the first to give way.
The written findings come by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Where
- Selmeston (BN26)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Practical tips
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Keep the report to compare against at the next survey
- Have the flue swept and checked if you use the fire
- Ask about consent before removing a chimney on an older property
- Make sure unused flues are capped with ventilation
You can send the report to roofers or builders for quotes. With the same list in front of each contractor, comparing quotes is simpler.
Check fixings on the stack are sound, and moved if they’re working it loose. Less load on the stack means less strain in wind.
Local roofs in Selmeston
Charleston Farmhouse, about 1.2 miles west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Selmeston. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings, alongside oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Mary: its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Selmeston is about 5 miles north of Seaford, in East Sussex. Surveys in Selmeston work the same way as everywhere we cover: a close look at whatever is safely visible, photos and a clear written report. Selmeston is one of the places in East Sussex we cover for chimney surveys. You can also see our page for Brighton.
We cover every part of the BN26 postcode area for chimney surveys and the streets around it. Streets in the area include The Street and Lewes Road, and we cover them all. If you are just outside Selmeston, we cover Alciston (1 mile south), Berwick (1 mile east), Ripe (2 miles north), Winton (2 miles south) and Wickstreet (2 miles north-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Eastbourne (7 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (14 miles east), Seaford (5 miles south), Lewes (6 miles west), Hailsham (5 miles east) and Crowborough (14 miles north).
Landmarks near Selmeston
In Selmeston, that means homes and buildings near The Barley Mow pub and the streets around them. The closest station to Selmeston is Berwick (Sussex) station, about 1 mile east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Drusillas Museum (1.8 miles south-east) and Chailey Heritage Marine Hospital (5.3 miles south-west). The countryside around Selmeston includes Firle Beacon.
How the survey changes by roof type
Brick stacks
Frost can damage bricks that have soaked up water, making the faces flake away. We record any we can see.
Rendered stacks
Some stacks are rendered, which can hide the condition of the brickwork beneath. The survey checks for cracking, bulging and staining in the render.
What we do, step by step
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the roof space if there is safe access. In total, it takes an hour or two at most homes, and more on a big or complicated roof. In a hamlet or village like Selmeston, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- You tell us whether any stacks are shared, unused or leaning.
- We check the roof around each stack, including the flashings.
- We check the flaunching and pots on every stack.
- Any lean, spalling or worn pointing is recorded.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
Preparing for the visit
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
How to book
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Read more
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
You can learn a lot from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Prices for chimney surveys in Selmeston
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The size of the roof
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, including VAT, and we will tell you which fits.
What we need to know
We will typically ask about:
- The property’s address and postcode
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- When you need the report by
- What’s prompted the survey
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Common questions in Selmeston
Will you come out to Selmeston?
Yes. Selmeston is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Is my home in Selmeston listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it applies and safe. We fly a sub-250g drone and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where applicable.
What do I do with the report?
You’ll get the report by email. With Standard there is a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation.
What does a roof survey cost?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for your roof before you book, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. To get a price, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
How long does the survey take?
It usually takes about 1–2 hours at a house, as part of a look at the roof around the stack. The report follows by email.
Do you inspect shared chimneys?
Yes. Many houses share stacks with a neighbour. We record the stack as far as we can see it and flag anything on the neighbour’s side.
What else we do in Selmeston
Common roof problems in Selmeston
Years of fires can affect the mortar inside a stack. Mortar can deteriorate unevenly from flue gases and moisture, which is one reason stacks start to lean.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Damaged chimney pots and cowls
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Worn or missing pointing
If you own a rental within reach of Berwick (Sussex) station, a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Their insurance cover
- What experience they bring
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Whether the inside of the roof is included