East Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Tile Hurst, East Sussex
Independent chimney surveys in Tile Hurst. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Spalled or crumbling bricks
- Pots or cowls that look unsafe
- Disused chimneys trapping moisture
Chimney survey in Tile Hurst: what you get
Chimney stacks take more weather than almost any other part of a house. Over the years, the flaunching cracks, the pointing wears and flashings lift. That lets water into the brickwork, which can show up as damp on a chimney breast or in the roof space. We record what we find with photographs and recommendations. If you’ve noticed signs that a stack is leaning and disused chimneys trapping moisture, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Village roofs frequently face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are often where weather gets in first.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Tile Hurst (BN27)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Practical tips
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Have the flue swept and checked if you use the fire
- Do not use a ladder to reach the stack yourself
- Check with the council before altering a stack in a conservation area or on a listed building
- Make sure unused flues are capped with ventilation
Questions about the findings are always welcome. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation.
Make sure redundant flues are capped with ventilation. That helps stop damp building up inside.
When you need someone else
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Whether a gas appliance or its flue is safe
- Areas we can’t view from safe positions
- A structural engineer’s assessment
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will recommend the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What we check
- Brick chimney stacks
- Chimney breasts
- Lead flashings
- Flaunching
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Shared and party-wall stacks
What we are asked to look at in Tile Hurst
The flaunching on top of a stack holds the pots in place and sheds water. Once it cracks, water gets in and frost makes the cracks bigger. Loose pots can follow.
We are often asked to look at:
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
- A stack that appears to lean
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
If you look after a building such as Grovelands Community Primary School, a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Questions to ask before you book
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
- Whether the price includes VAT
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
Your questions about chimney surveys in Tile Hurst
Is Tile Hurst within the area you cover?
Yes, Tile Hurst is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
How do I find out if my home in Tile Hurst is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes, plenty. Each finding is shown in a picture where possible, which makes the report easy to follow.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on its size, height, access and the package, confirmed before anything is booked.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. Visible signs such as deflection or sagging are recorded, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
Does the weather affect the survey?
A survey can usually go ahead in light rain, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Heavy rain or strong wind can ground a drone and make the roof unsafe, so if conditions aren’t right we’ll arrange another day with you.
What’s in the report?
It sets out what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, with photos throughout. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely.
What a chimney survey looks like in Tile Hurst
Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. 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. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them. Michelham Priory, about 1.1 miles south-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Tile Hurst. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs.
Landlords with a home close to Polegate station may find that a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak. Take an older house close to Zoar Strict Baptist Chapel: its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look.
Tile Hurst is about 1 mile north-west of Hailsham, in East Sussex. We visit Tile Hurst as part of our work across East Sussex. We cover towns and villages across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in Brighton.
Surveys in BN27 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Other places close to Tile Hurst include Lower Horsebridge (1 mile north), Hailsham (1 mile south-east), Upper Horsebridge (1 mile north-east), Lower Dicker (1 mile north-west) and Hellingly (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (6 miles south), Hastings (14 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (10 miles east), Seaford (9 miles south-west), Lewes (10 miles west) and Crowborough (13 miles north).
Near you in Tile Hurst
Around Tile Hurst, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Hailsham Community College, The Grenadier pub and Bede's Prep School. The nearest railway station is Polegate station, about 3.4 miles south. Other landmarks nearby include Herstmonceux Castle (4.5 miles east) and Hellingly Hospital Railway (1.6 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Combe Hill.
The survey, step by step
Where it’s relevant and can be reached safely, the loft space is checked as well as the outside. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. The whole visit usually takes an hour or two on an ordinary house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a small place like Tile Hurst, access is typically the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We start by noting which stacks are in use, shared or causing concern.
- The flashings and the roof around each chimney are inspected.
- We check the flaunching and pots on every stack.
- We note the brickwork, pointing and any sign of leaning.
- The report explains the condition and which work is most urgent.
How to prepare
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Let us know about parking near the property
How to book
You can call us seven days a week. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
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Places near Tile Hurst
What else we do in Tile Hurst
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A lot can be seen from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work around your tenants.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the freeholder or managing agent. Mention it when you get in touch and we will plan the visit with that in mind.