East Sussex · London and the South East
Alfriston Flat Roof Survey
Get a clear view of the flat roof at a property in Alfriston. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Leaks around rooflights
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Alfriston
Standing water is one of the first things we look for on a flat roof. It can point to poor falls, a blocked outlet or a deck that is deflecting. We record where water sits, check the outlets and look for dips that suggest deflection. Where the deck may be a structural issue, our report says a structural engineer should look at it. Typical surveys look at ponding water that doesn’t drain away and gaps at upstands and abutments, across single-ply membranes, GRP fibreglass and felt flat roofs.
In a small place like Alfriston, a flat roof can stand in the open, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Felt roofs, which often last around 15–20 years, usually show it first. EPDM rubber and GRP coverings last longer, but their edges and joints still need checking. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
You can share the report with anyone who needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent.
- Location
- Alfriston (BN26)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
Every visit follows the same pattern: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photographs as we go and make notes for the report. It usually takes roughly 1–2 hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Older roofs in small places like Alfriston can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- We look at the roof from the ground, windows and the roof where it’s safe.
- We check the covering for splits, blisters, ponding and wear.
- We photograph and record the outlets, upstands, trims and rooflights.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
Preparing for the visit
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
- Keep pets in another room
Book a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
Also near Alfriston
What else we do in Alfriston
Checking the roof from the ground
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we look at the roof.
Flat roofs in Alfriston
Alfriston is within about 4 miles of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Wind can catch loose edges and trims on a flat roof, and salt air is hard on metal trims, flashings and fixings. Alfriston Clergy House, about 0.2 miles south-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Alfriston. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Landlords with a home close to Berwick (Sussex) station may find that the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. If you look after a building like Alfriston School, schools and public buildings often have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks.
Alfriston is about 3 miles north-east of Seaford, in East Sussex. Alfriston 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, from the larger towns to small villages. Brighton is in our area too.
Here we cover the BN26 postcode area for flat roof surveys. Whether your property is on High Street, Ropewalk and West Street or a nearby road, we can help. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Winton (1 mile north), Lullington (1 mile south-east), Dukes Green (1 mile south), Milton Street (1 mile north-east) and Alciston (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns like Eastbourne (6 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (14 miles east), Seaford (3 miles south-west), Lewes (8 miles north-west), Hailsham (6 miles north-east) and Uckfield (11 miles north).
What’s near Alfriston
We work in homes and buildings around Ye Olde Smugglers Inn. Alfriston’s nearest station is Berwick (Sussex) station, about 2.2 miles north of the centre. A little further out are Old Forge Museum (Alfriston) (less than half a mile north-east) and Chailey Heritage Marine Hospital (4.2 miles south-west). Open spaces near Alfriston include Firle Beacon.
What we look for on each type of roof
Rooflights and upstands
Rooflights, lanterns and upstands are where many flat roof leaks begin. We check how the covering is finished around each rooflight and upstand.
GRP fibreglass
A well-laid GRP roof often lasts up to about 30 years. Hairline cracks over board joints are an early warning we look out for.
Useful tips for Alfriston property owners
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Check from a window for ponding after heavy rain
- Make sure new fixings through the roof are properly sealed
- Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
- Keep records of when the roof was laid and what work has been done
After the visit, we write up the report with photographs of what we found. It covers the type of covering, its condition and each defect, with our recommendations. Turnaround is within 48 hours for a Basic Survey, 24 to 48 hours for a Standard Survey and the same day for a Premium Survey.
Check the roof from a window after a downpour. Water still lying a day or two later is worth getting looked at.
When to book a survey in Alfriston
No flat roof covering lasts for ever. Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, EPDM frequently 30 to 50 years and GRP up to about 30, though workmanship and upkeep make a big difference. A survey shows how yours is holding up, whatever its age.
Common reasons to book include:
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Loose or cracked edge trims
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St. Andrew, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- When you will get the report
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Which limits apply to the survey
Alfriston: your questions answered
Will you come out to Alfriston?
Yes, Alfriston is covered. We work right across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Alfriston?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
What do I do with the report?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
Do you survey commercial flat roofs?
Yes. Commercial and residential flat roofs are both covered. A commercial roof usually takes about 3 to 4 hours on site, longer if it’s large or complex, with larger roofs quoted on their size.
Are you insured?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
Is ponding on a flat roof a problem?
Standing water a day or two after rain usually needs attention. It could be the outlets, the falls or a deflecting deck. The survey looks at each and records the likely cause.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Alfriston
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the addresses.