Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
East Saltdean Flat Roof Survey
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings across East Saltdean, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Loose or cracked edge trims
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Cracked or split membrane
About our flat roof survey in East Saltdean
Each type of flat roof has its own weak points. Felt can blister and crack, asphalt can craze and split, EPDM seams and laps can lift, and GRP can crack where boards meet or at the trims. On PVC and TPO single-ply roofs, we look closely at the welded laps, edges and fixings. Once you know the covering and its condition, planning the next step is far easier. If you’ve noticed splits, cracks and crazing and leaks around rooflights, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on GRP fibreglass, EPDM rubber and upstands and outlets alike.
Flat roofs in smaller places like East Saltdean can be more exposed, particularly where nothing shelters them, so wind catches loose edges and trims. Felt and bitumen also age in strong sun. Splits, blisters and lifting edges are what to look out for. A flat roof that still holds water days after rain is also worth a closer look.
Findings are set out part by part, from the coverings down to the gutters. It records what’s sound as well as what isn’t.
- Location
- East Saltdean (BN2)
- Wider area
- Brighton and Hove
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes about one to two hours for most houses, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. A visit to East Saltdean is planned like any other: the time, the access and where to park are agreed ahead of time. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. If there are outbuildings or garages you want looked at, mention them.
- We start with the address and, on larger roofs, the roof area and access.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where there’s access.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, without walking on fragile surfaces.
- Each defect is photographed and its likely cause noted.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
Before we arrive
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Arrange a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Also near East Saltdean
Also in East Saltdean
What we are asked to look at in East Saltdean
Flat roofs swing between hot and cold more than most parts of a building. This constant movement works at laps, seams and board joints, which can open splits and cracks over the years. Coverings that have hardened with age tend to suffer most.
A survey can pick up problems like:
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Blocked or damaged outlets
Take an older house close to St Nicholas: later flat-roofed additions are common on older houses, and their edges and upstands frequently show the first signs of wear.
Before you book anyone
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Their report turnaround times
- Which limits apply to the survey
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
Useful tips for East Saltdean property owners
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Never stand on rooflights or fragile sheeting
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
- Check from a window for ponding after heavy rain
- Keep records of when the roof was laid and what work has been done
Questions about the findings are always welcome. Standard Surveys come with a follow-up consultation, and Premium Surveys with an in-person one, giving you a chance to go through what we found.
Keep outlets, gutters and hoppers clear, especially after the leaves fall. A flat roof that drains well wears much more slowly.
What we cannot see
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Keep these in mind:
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- Fragile surfaces, which we don’t walk on
- What’s under the membrane without opening it up
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Mastic asphalt
- Felt flat roofs
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
- GRP fibreglass
Checking the roof from ground level
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.
How the survey changes by roof type
Rooflights and upstands
Where a flat roof meets a wall, the upstand has to stay sealed as the building moves. We look for splits, gaps and failed flashings over the top.
Single-ply membranes
Plant, fixings and foot traffic can all damage a single-ply roof. We note any punctures, tears and loose areas we can see.
FAQs for East Saltdean
Will you come out to East Saltdean?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Is the coastal weather around East Saltdean hard on roofs?
Places near the sea get more wind and more salt in the air than inland, and both are hard on roofs. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
What does a roof survey cost?
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, inc. VAT.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes. Photos are taken throughout the survey, and they go into the written report.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is frequently shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Can you test old roof sheets for asbestos?
Our survey doesn’t include asbestos testing. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos, for instance in cement roof sheets. Anything that might contain it is flagged, so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before work starts.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We are a CAA-registered drone operator.
Flat roofs in East Saltdean
East Saltdean is within about 1 mile of the coast, so there is more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. On a flat roof near the sea, edge trims and upstands take the brunt of the wind, and metal parts corrode faster. Monk's House, about 3.2 miles north-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around East Saltdean. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If you own a rental within reach of Southease station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round. If you look after a building such as Saltdean Primary School, schools and public buildings often have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks.
East Saltdean is about 4 miles west of Newhaven, in Brighton and Hove. Roofs in East Saltdean get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Brighton and Hove. Across Brighton and Hove, we cover East Saltdean and the places around it.
Every address in BN2 is within our area for flat roof surveys. We cover properties on Wicklands Avenue, Oaklands Avenue and Brambletyne Avenue. If you’re just outside East Saltdean, we cover Saltdean (1 mile west), Telscombe (1 mile east), Rottingdean (2 miles north-west), Ovingdean (2 miles north-west) and Rodmell (3 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Brighton (5 miles north-west), Brighton and Hove (7 miles west), Hove (7 miles west), Carlton Hill (5 miles west), Hanover (5 miles north-west) and West Hill (5 miles west).
Local landmarks in East Saltdean
In East Saltdean, that means homes and buildings near Beacon Hill, Smugglers Rest pub and Peacehaven Community School. For rail, the closest station is Southease station, roughly 3.3 miles north-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find French Convalescent Home (3.5 miles west) and Planet Earth Museum (3.7 miles east). Not far away are Newmarket Hill and Beacon Hill Local Nature Reserve.