West Sussex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Patching, West Sussex
Get a clear view of the flat roof at a property in Patching. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
Honest limits
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Areas we can’t see or reach safely, including fragile rooflights and sheeting
- Whether old sheeting or boards contain asbestos
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- Felt flat roofs
- EPDM rubber
- Mastic asphalt
- Single-ply membranes
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Patching
A flat roof leak frequently travels before it shows on the ceiling. It may start at a split, a lifted seam or a failed upstand well away from the damp patch. That’s why we check every detail across the roof, not only the area above the stain, and photograph anything that could let water in. A roofer can then start from a clear picture of the problem. We survey GRP fibreglass, felt flat roofs and mastic asphalt, and common reasons people get in touch are leaks around rooflights and loose or cracked edge trims.
In a village or hamlet like Patching, flat roofs are usually on extensions, garages, outbuildings or barn conversions. They need the same care as any town roof: outlets, upstands, edges and the covering itself. We simply plan the journey and access beforehand. Garages and outbuildings are easy to forget, so mention any you want included when you book.
Findings are set out part by part, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets. You’ll see the good as well as the bad.
- Location
- Patching (BN13)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What affects the price in Patching
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. The main factors are:
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before booking.
What to tell us when you contact us
What helps most when you contact us:
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- The property’s address and postcode
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
When to book a survey in Patching
Flat roofs swing between hot and cold more than most parts of a building. That movement pulls at seams, laps and the joints between boards, and in time it can open up splits and cracks. Coverings that have hardened with age tend to suffer most.
Problems we come across often include:
- Water getting in at rooflights
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Ponding water that doesn’t drain away
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
Anyone responsible for a site like Clapham and Patching CofE Primary School will know that a large flat roof with a good many outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail.
Before you book anyone
- Are they insured for the work?
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Their report turnaround times
Patching: your questions answered
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Patching, take more of a battering?
Places near the sea get more wind and more salt in the air than inland, and both are hard on roofs. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, while strong wind lifts anything already loose.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Patching?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Can you tell me how long my flat roof will last?
There is 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.
How many surveys have you done?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years, across London and South East England.
Will you check the loft?
If there is a loft and safe access to it, yes. From inside, the underside of the roof frequently shows damp, staining or daylight that can’t be seen from outside.
Should I worry about standing water on my flat roof?
Ponding is worth looking into. It can point to blocked outlets, poor falls or a deck that is sagging, and it wears the covering faster. Our survey notes the ponding and what seems to be causing it.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
Where it’s safe, the roof is inspected from the roof itself. Otherwise we use windows, vantage points and the spaces below, and the report says if any part couldn’t be seen. Fragile surfaces are never walked on.
How it works
When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. After that, we check everything we can see safely, from the ground, from windows, in the loft space and by drone where applicable. Most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Around Patching, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- 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.
- Each defect is photographed and its likely cause noted.
- You get a report setting out the condition and our recommendations, in order of urgency.
Before we arrive
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Book a survey
If you are buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so there is time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.
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Tips from our surveys
Most of what helps is simple and safe from ground level. A few suggestions:
- Make sure new fixings through the roof are properly sealed
- Note where water lies after a downpour
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
- Clear roof outlets and gutters each autumn
Landlords, owners and managing agents can keep the report as a dated record of the roof. It helps when planning maintenance budgets, and it gives a baseline to compare against next time.
Book a survey every few years, and again after new fixings, units or rooflights go in. You’ll spot changes early and have a record to look back on.
Flat roof surveys around Patching
Patching lies within about 4 miles of the sea, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Salt in the air is hard on metal flashings and fixings, and wind catches any loose edge on a flat roof. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are a good many flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops.
With Ecclesden Manor about 1.5 miles south-west, the area around Patching has a long history. Older homes nearby may have later flat-roofed extensions or dormers, frequently re-covered more than once. If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near The Parish Church of St John the Divine, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof.
Patching is about 3 miles north-west of Worthing, in West Sussex. We carry out flat roof surveys in Patching for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings, with a written report and photographs every time. Our West Sussex coverage includes Patching. Our Brighton page covers surveys nearby.
Here we cover the BN13 postcode area for flat roof surveys. Local streets include The Street and Coldharbour Lane. If you are just outside Patching, we cover Clapham (1 mile south-east), Hammerpot (2 miles west), Cote (2 miles east), Angmering (2 miles south-west) and Hangleton (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (3 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (11 miles west), Chichester (14 miles west), Littlehampton (4 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (8 miles east) and Lancing (6 miles east).
What’s near Patching
We work in homes and buildings around The Fox pub, The Angmering School and Clapham Wood, among other places. Patching’s nearest station is Goring-By-Sea station, roughly 2.3 miles south-east. A little further out are Museum of Sussex Folklore (3.1 miles south-east) and Old Castle (3.1 miles south-east). The countryside around Patching includes WWT Arundel and Highdown Hill.
Also in Patching
How the survey changes by roof type
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.
Felt and built-up roofs
A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, though quality and upkeep make a big difference. We record how yours is doing and where it is weakest.