East Sussex · London and the South East
Hankham Flat Roof Survey
Know where you stand with the flat roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out flat roof surveys in Hankham, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Loose or cracked edge trims
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
Signs you need a flat roof survey in Hankham
Many flat roof problems start at the details rather than the main surface. Upstands, edge trims, outlets and the kerbs around rooflights move and weather differently from the rest of the roof. Where they weren’t finished well, they tend to fail before anything else.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Upstands pulling away from walls
Anyone responsible for a site like Hankham Primary School will know that large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
What to check before booking
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Will the report include photos?
- Their track record with similar roofs
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
Flat roof survey in Hankham
Ponding is often the first sign that something on a flat roof is not right. 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. If the deck itself looks like a structural concern, we’ll recommend a structural engineer. If you’ve noticed a sagging deck under the covering and standing water left after rain, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Some older homes in villages like Hankham are listed or in a conservation area, which can shape what a new flat roof may look like. Check with the council before planning any change of material. Knowing the roof’s condition is the starting point. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Hankham (BN24)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
GRP fibreglass
GRP roofs can last up to about 30 years when they’re laid well. Cracking where boards meet or where the deck moves is a common early sign of trouble.
Single-ply membranes
Many offices, units and newer flats have a single-ply PVC or TPO roof. The survey looks at welded seams, edges, fixings and signs of damage.
More services for Hankham
Questions from Hankham
How do I find out if my home in Hankham is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Hankham?
Often, yes. Within about 3 miles of the sea, as Hankham is, metal fixings wear faster and gales find any loose ridge or slate.
How long is the visit?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof; most visits take about one to two hours for a house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. The written report follows by email.
Do you check flat roofs for asbestos?
We do not carry out asbestos surveys. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos, for example in cement roof sheets. We note anything that could contain it, and a specialist asbestos surveyor should check it before it is disturbed.
Will I get photos?
Yes, every report has them. Pictures sit next to the findings they show.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tell us which days suit you when booking.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
Only where it’s safe to do so. If not, we use safe viewpoints and look inside, and the report says if any part couldn’t be seen. We do not walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.
What a flat roof survey does not cover
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- What’s under the membrane without opening it up
- An exact number of years the roof has left
- Fragile surfaces, which we don’t walk on
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
What we look at
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
Flat roof surveys in Hankham: local notes
The coast is about 3 miles or less from Hankham, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Coastal wind works at the edges of flat roofs, and salt air wears metal trims and fixings. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs, and the county’s older buildings include oast houses and Wealden hall houses. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere.
If you let a flat or house near Pevensey & Westham station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies. With Michelham Priory about 4.4 miles north-west, the area around Hankham has a long history. If your home is older, its flat-roofed extension or dormer may be on its second or third covering.
Hankham is about 3 miles north of Eastbourne, in East Sussex. Anywhere in Hankham, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. We cover towns and villages across East Sussex, large and small. We also survey roofs in Brighton.
Flat roof surveys in BN24 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We cover properties on Hankham Road, Milton Street and Foords Lane and the roads around them. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Blackness (1 mile south-west), Stone Cross (1 mile south), Polegate (2 miles west), Lower Willingdon (2 miles south-west) and Willingdon (2 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (3 miles south), Hastings (12 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (8 miles east), Seaford (9 miles west), Lewes (13 miles west) and Hailsham (3 miles north-west).
What’s near Hankham
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Red Lion pub and Causeway School. The closest station to Hankham is Pevensey & Westham station, roughly 1.4 miles south-east. Well-known places in the area include Eastbourne District General Hospital (2.9 miles south-west) and Pevensey Castle (1.7 miles east). The countryside around Hankham includes Combe Hill.
What we do, step by step
Where it is 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 about one to two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Cottages and farmhouses around Hankham often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- We start with the address and, on larger roofs, the roof area and access.
- Inside, we look for signs of water under the roof where we can reach.
- We view the roof from safe positions and never walk on fragile surfaces.
- We record every defect with a photo and its likely cause.
- You get a report setting out the condition and our recommendations, in order of urgency.
How to prepare
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
How to book
Once you know what you need, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Read more
Surveys for landlords and agents in Hankham
Landlords, agents and building managers in Hankham and across East Sussex can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends, which can make access easier.
What a survey costs
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all including VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Booking your survey
If you can, have these to hand when you contact us:
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
Every survey is priced before it’s booked, so you know where you stand. Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. To book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.