West Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Southwick, West Sussex
A survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching across Southwick, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Mortar washing out of the joints
- Flaunching that has broken away
- Lifted or split lead flashings
Before and after the survey
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Ask about consent before removing a chimney on an older property
- Glance at the stacks from the street now and then
- Note any damp on chimney breasts and when it appears
- Keep the report to compare against at the next survey
After the visit, we write up the report with photos of each stack. It covers the pots, flaunching, pointing, brickwork and flashings, and any damp we found inside. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24 to 48 hours and Premium reports the same day.
Have worn pointing and cracked flaunching dealt with early. It is far simpler than rebuilding a stack later.
About our chimney survey in Southwick
Many homes have chimneys that are no longer used. A disused stack still needs looking after. If it has been capped without ventilation, damp can build up inside it. We check how redundant stacks have been capped and look for damp in the chimney breasts. You get photos of each stack and our recommendations. We’re often asked to look into gaps where the stack meets the roof and worn or missing pointing, on chimney pots and cowls, chimney breasts and lead flashings.
In a smaller place like Southwick, homes range from older cottages to bungalows and newer houses. Older roofs can have slate, clay tiles or other traditional coverings, while many later ones have concrete tiles. On older homes, chimney stacks, valleys and gutters are normally where the work is. The fixings under an older roof frequently fail before good slates or tiles do.
What you get is a clear record of the chimney stack on the day we saw it. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later.
- Where
- Southwick (BN42, BN41, BN43)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
After the inspection, everything we found is written up in a report with photos, emailed to you. As for time on site, it typically takes between one and two hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. A visit to a smaller place like Southwick is no different on the day: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- We start with the details: how many stacks, whether any are shared and any signs of damp.
- We inspect each stack from safe viewpoints outside.
- We check and photograph the pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
- Where there is safe access, we check the stack in the loft and the chimney breasts for damp.
- You get a report with photographs and our recommendations.
Before the survey
- Keep pets in another room
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Arrange a survey
We survey roofs seven days a week. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Related advice
Honest limits
It is a careful look at the chimney stack, not the whole story. Its limits include:
- Whether a stack needs rebuilding on structural grounds
- Hidden damage within the stack
- Areas we can’t view from safe positions
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Brick chimney stacks
- Lead flashings
- Chimney breasts
- Flaunching
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Shared and party-wall stacks
Southwick homes and their roofs
Southwick is within about 1 mile of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Near the sea, metal fixings wear faster and loose pieces on a roof are more likely to lift. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look.
If you live in an older home near St Michael and All Angels Church, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine. Take a building like Eastbrook Primary Academy: long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle. If you let a flat or house near Southwick station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Southwick is about 2 miles east of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. In Southwick, as across West Sussex, every roof gets the same careful survey. Southwick is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover for chimney surveys.
Surveys in BN42, BN41 and BN43 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We offer chimney surveys to properties on Station Road, Roman Crescent and Southwick Street. Southwick is on the A259 and A270, so it is easy for us to get to. We also cover Kingston by Sea (1 mile north-west), Portslade (1 mile north-east), Shoreham-by-Sea (2 miles west), Hangleton (2 miles north-east) and Old Shoreham (2 miles west). We also work in nearby towns like Worthing (7 miles west), Haywards Heath (13 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles north-east), Littlehampton (13 miles west), Lancing (4 miles west) and Rustington (12 miles west).
Landmarks near Southwick
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Shoreham Academy, Benfield Hill and The Ship Inn. Southwick has its own railway station: Southwick station. Nearby you’ll also find Southlands Hospital (1 mile west) and Churchill Square (4 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Shoreham Beach and Thundersbarrow Hill.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed in advance. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends, which can make access easier.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Don’t go up yourself.
Roof by roof
Rendered stacks
Some stacks are rendered, which can hide the condition of the brickwork beneath. We look for cracks, hollow areas and staining.
Flaunching
Cracked flaunching is one of the most common chimney defects we record. Caught early, it is often a small job.
Southwick questions
Will you come out to Southwick?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Southwick station?
Yes, that’s a common request. We just need to know who will give access, and the report can go straight to you or your agent.
Will you check the chimney is safe to use with a fire?
No. Our survey covers the outside of the stack and the roof around it. For the flue, you will need a sweep or, for gas, a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes. Photos are taken throughout the survey, and they go into the written report alongside our recommendations.
What insurance do you have?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability.
How much is a survey?
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, including VAT.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. We will rearrange with you if the weather is not right.