East Sussex · London and the South East
Upper Hartfield Chimney Survey
Chimney surveys across Upper Hartfield, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Disused chimneys trapping moisture
- Pots or cowls that look unsafe
- Lifted or split lead flashings
Chimney survey in Upper Hartfield
Our survey covers the structure of the stack and its weathering details. It’s not a flue inspection, a chimney sweep or a gas safety inspection. If you use a fire or a gas appliance, the flue should be checked by a sweep or a Gas Safe registered engineer as appropriate. We’ll tell you if we see anything that suggests they should take a look. If you’ve noticed loose, cracked or missing pots and damp patches on chimney breasts, we can find out what’s behind it.
In a village or hamlet like Upper Hartfield, older cottages and farmhouses often sit alongside barns, outbuildings and a few newer houses. Older roofs may be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, frequently with chimneys that have stood a long time. Each needs checking in its own way, and thatch is a specialist material we report on as far as it can be seen. Chimneys and lead flashings on old roofs often need the most attention.
We write the report in plain English, so you don’t need to be a roofer to follow it. Photographs show what each point refers to, and recommendations are put with the most urgent first where relevant.
- Place
- Upper Hartfield (TN7)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Questions from Upper Hartfield
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Upper Hartfield?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Ashurst Kent station?
Yes, rented property is part of what we cover. Just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us about the building.
How experienced are you?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years, across London and South East England.
Can you find out why my chimney breast is damp?
It can come from several places: water getting in at the top, through the brickwork or at the flashings, or moisture trapped in a stack with no ventilation. Our survey checks each of these and records the likely cause.
Will you check the loft?
Usually, if there is one and it can be reached safely. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that cannot be seen from outside.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes, plenty. Pictures sit next to the findings they show, so you can see what we mean.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but we do not provide calculations or an engineer’s opinion. If one is needed, the report says so.
When you need someone else
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, and that sets some limits:
- A structural engineer’s assessment
- Conditions inside walls
- Whether a gas appliance or its flue is safe
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll suggest the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Flaunching
- Brick chimney stacks
- Lead flashings
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Chimney breasts
What you can safely check yourself
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Water spilling over the edge can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
Prices for chimney surveys in Upper Hartfield
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before you book. This is what makes a difference:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how it can be reached and seen safely. Prices start from £150, including VAT.
What to tell us when you get in touch
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, it helps to mention:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
To get a price for chimney surveys in Upper Hartfield, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Some details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
Do you need a chimney survey in Upper Hartfield?
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.
Look out for signs like these:
- Bricks with flaking faces
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
- Staining on walls around the chimney
- Disused chimneys trapping moisture
Take an older house close to Holy Trinity Church: the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.
What to check before booking
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Upper Hartfield
Historic houses like Bassetts Manor, about 1.9 miles north, show how far back building in the area around Upper Hartfield goes. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs, and the county’s older buildings include oast houses and Wealden hall houses. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
If you let a flat or house near Ashurst Kent station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints.
Upper Hartfield is about 5 miles north-west of Crowborough, in East Sussex. Upper Hartfield gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful inspection, photographs and a written report. We cover towns and villages across East Sussex. There’s also a page for Crawley.
Chimney surveys in TN7 are booked the same way as anywhere else. That includes homes and businesses on Parrock Lane, Cat Street and Gallipot Hill. Neighbouring places we cover for chimney surveys include Coleman's Hatch (1 mile south-west), Forest Row (2 miles west), Wych Cross (3 miles south-west), Duddleswell (4 miles south) and Chelwood Gate (4 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Lewes (15 miles south), Crowborough (5 miles south-east), Uckfield (9 miles south), South Malling (15 miles south), Heathfield (11 miles south-east) and Cliffe (15 miles south).
Near you in Upper Hartfield
The nearest railway station is Ashurst Kent station, about 3.7 miles north-east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Bolebroke Castle (2 miles north-east) and Crowborough War Memorial Hospital (4.2 miles south-east).
What we do, step by step
A survey visit follows a simple order: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from every safe vantage point, take photos as we go and record our findings for the written report. Most visits take about one to two hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. Somewhere as small as Upper Hartfield, access is often the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We go through the chimneys, any damp and any work done on them.
- Each stack is inspected from safe positions outside.
- Pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings are checked and photographed.
- Inside, the chimney breasts and the loft are checked for damp where there’s access.
- The report, with photos and recommendations, is emailed to you.
Preparing for the visit
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
How to book
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.
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Towns and villages near Upper Hartfield
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Useful tips for Upper Hartfield property owners
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner, before and after a survey:
- Have brackets on the chimney checked
- Glance at the stacks from the street now and then
- Keep the report to compare against at the next survey
- Don’t use a ladder to reach the stack yourself
Where another specialist is needed, like a structural engineer or sweep, we explain why. That helps you brief them.
Check redundant flues are capped with ventilation. That helps stop damp building up inside.