West Sussex · London and the South East
Balcombe Flat Roof Survey
Flat roof surveys in Balcombe and the rest of West Sussex. We survey on any day of the week.
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Balcombe
If the house you’re buying has a flat roof on an extension, dormer or garage, it is worth knowing its condition before exchange. Felt roofs frequently last around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM and GRP often last longer. Our report records the covering, how it is holding up and any defects we can see, with photographs of each. You then have something specific to put to the seller or agent. We are often asked to look into gaps at upstands and abutments and edge trims that have lifted or split, on felt flat roofs, single-ply membranes and mastic asphalt.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Balcombe take more wind and rain, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Felt roofs, which frequently last around 15–20 years, usually show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
Report times depend on the survey you book: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.
- Place
- Balcombe (RH17)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
You do not need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, like stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll take it from there. The survey itself takes between one and two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Rural addresses near Balcombe can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- 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 is safe.
- We check the covering for splits, blisters, ponding and wear.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
Before we arrive
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Jot down any questions you want answered
How to book
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Balcombe questions
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Balcombe?
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.
Do you cover Balcombe?
Yes, Balcombe is one of the places we work. Every survey there gets the same written report with photographs.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
It depends on what’s safe: the roof itself where that is safe, plus windows, vantage points and the rooms below. Fragile rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on.
Will I get photos?
Yes. Photos are part of every report.
Does the survey cover asbestos?
Our survey doesn’t include asbestos testing. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos, for instance in cement roof sheets. We note anything that could contain it, and a specialist asbestos surveyor should check it before it’s disturbed.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
There’s no honest way to give an exact number of years. As a guide, felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM often 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30, but your report describes the actual condition.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drones can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. If the conditions are not right, we’ll talk to you about another date.
Tips from our surveys
Most of what helps is simple and safe from ground level. Our suggestions:
- Ask whoever fits equipment on the roof to make good the covering
- Book a survey every few years
- Note any new marks on ceilings beneath the roof
- Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
Buyers can take the findings back to the seller or the agent. It can support a request for work before completion or a conversation about price, depending on what we found.
Small defects are simpler to deal with while they’re still small. A flat roof that’s looked after between surveys typically lasts longer.
Nearby places to Balcombe
More services for Balcombe
What we can’t see
Some things cannot be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
- Fragile surfaces, which we do not walk on
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Balcombe
- Felt flat roofs
- Single-ply membranes
- EPDM rubber
- GRP fibreglass
- Mastic asphalt
- Upstands and outlets
For landlords and managing agents
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, putting the urgent items at the top.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. Recommendations are set out by urgency where it matters.
What we’re asked to look at in Balcombe
A flat roof lies open to sun, rain and frost, and water drains off it slowly. In time, the covering dries out, cracks and loosens at its edges and laps. Most people book a survey after a leak, before buying, or when they think the roof is getting old.
We are frequently asked to look at:
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Standing water left after rain
- Splits and cracks in the covering
- Leaks around rooflights
Take a building like Balcombe CofE Controlled Primary School: large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
Questions to ask before you book
- Which limits apply to the survey
- When you’ll get the report
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- What insurance they carry
Flat roof surveys in Balcombe: local notes
Historic houses such as Tyes Place, about 2.1 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Balcombe goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters. Older houses across Sussex frequently have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere.
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near The Parish Church of St Mary, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking. Landlords with a home close to Balcombe station may find that flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Balcombe is about 4 miles north of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. We visit Balcombe as part of our work across West Sussex, for homes and businesses alike. Balcombe is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover.
Here we cover the RH17 postcode area for flat roof surveys. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on London Road, Stockcroft Road and Deanland Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. Balcombe sits on or near the B2036, which makes travel easy. We also cover the places around Balcombe: Balcombe Lane (1 mile north), Brook Street (2 miles south), Staplefield (2 miles south-west), Worth Abbey (3 miles north) and Whitemans Green (3 miles south). Larger places within reach include Crawley (5 miles north-west), Horsham (8 miles west), Haywards Heath (4 miles south), Burgess Hill (7 miles south), East Grinstead (7 miles north-east) and Broadfield (4 miles north-west).
Landmarks near Balcombe
Balcombe has its own railway station: Balcombe station. A little further out are Princess Royal Hospital (4.9 miles south) and Cuckfield Museum (3.5 miles south). For a walk, there’s Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
DIY checks: what’s safe
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way. That part is for a survey.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.