West Sussex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Newtimber, West Sussex
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings in Newtimber, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Water getting in at rooflights
- Upstands pulling away from walls
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
How a flat roof survey works in Newtimber
Our flat roof survey checks the waterproof covering and every detail around it, from edges and upstands to outlets and rooflights. Felt, asphalt, EPDM, GRP and single-ply PVC or TPO roofs are all part of the work. It suits a small roof over an extension or garage as well as a large one over flats, offices or units. The findings go into a written report with photos, setting out the defects and what we’d recommend. If you’re worried about water getting in at rooflights and a sagging deck under the covering, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Newtimber take more wind and rain, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Felt roofs, which frequently last around 15–20 years, typically show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. Exposed edges are usually the first part of a flat roof to go.
Where we can’t see part of the flat roof, the report says so. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Place
- Newtimber (BN6)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
The visit has one job: to look at the flat roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Notes and photos go into the written report. The visit typically takes about 1–2 hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. In a hamlet or village like Newtimber, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, 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.
- The roof is viewed from safe positions, including the roof itself where that’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.
Getting ready for the survey
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Book a survey
You can call us seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Advice
Your questions about flat roof surveys in Newtimber
Do you cover smaller places like Newtimber?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
Is my home in Newtimber listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Will the survey show why my flat roof is leaking?
We check the covering and every detail where leaks commonly start, and photograph anything that could be letting water in. Where the source is not obvious, a roof leak investigation or electronic leak detection may be the next step.
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. We note anything that could contain it, and a specialist asbestos surveyor should check it before it is disturbed.
What does ponding on a flat roof mean?
Ponding is worth looking into. It frequently means a blocked outlet, poor falls or a dipping deck, and it wears the covering faster. Our survey notes the ponding and what seems to be causing it.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Will I get photos?
Yes, plenty. Each finding is shown in a picture where possible, so you can see what we mean.
What this survey can’t tell you
We only report what can be seen safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
- An exact number of years the roof has left
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer before booking. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Single-ply membranes
- EPDM rubber
- Upstands and outlets
- Mastic asphalt
- Felt flat roofs
- GRP fibreglass
Roof by roof
Single-ply membranes
Single-ply PVC and TPO membranes are common on commercial roofs and newer buildings. We check the welded laps, the edges, the fixings and any punctures.
Felt and built-up roofs
Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, depending on how they were laid and looked after. Our report sets out its condition and the areas most at risk.
Towns and villages near Newtimber
Also in Newtimber
Tips that help
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner, before and after a survey:
- Look for standing water a day after rain
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
- Ask whoever fits equipment on the roof to make good the covering
- Watch the ceilings below the flat roof for stains
Many people send the report to two or three roofers for quotes. With each roofer working from the same list, comparing quotes is simpler. It is your choice who carries out the work and when.
Have the roof surveyed every few years, and after any work that goes through it. You will spot changes early and have a record to look back on.
Checking the roof from the ground
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.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we check the roof.
Flat and commercial roofs around Newtimber
In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere. About 4.6 miles south lies Portslade Manor, a reminder of how long the area around Newtimber has been built on. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of St John Evangelist, any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof.
Newtimber is about 5 miles south-west of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. Newtimber is one of many places we visit across West Sussex, for homes and businesses alike. Our West Sussex coverage includes Newtimber. You can also see our page for Brighton.
Surveys in BN6 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We also cover the places around Newtimber: Clayton (2 miles east), Hurstpierpoint (2 miles north), Hurst Wickham (2 miles north-east), Hassocks (2 miles north-east) and Keymer (3 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Crawley (14 miles north), Horsham (12 miles north-west), Worthing (11 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (8 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (5 miles north-east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (6 miles south-west).
Around Newtimber
The nearest railway station is Hassocks station, roughly 2.4 miles north-east. A little further out are The Dene Hospital (4.2 miles north) and The Budding Foundation Museum of Gardening (2.1 miles north-east). For a walk, there’s Woods Mill and Wolstonbury Hill.
Signs you need a flat roof survey in Newtimber
Water that does not drain sits on the roof and speeds up wear. It normally comes from poor falls, a blocked outlet or a deck that has dipped. Where trees are close by, leaves and silt can block an outlet within a single autumn.
Typical things we’re asked to look at include:
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Blocked or damaged outlets
- Standing water left after rain
If you own a rental within reach of Hassocks station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- What they will not be able to tell you
- What follow-up you get after the report