West Sussex · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Portslade
Flat roof surveys in Portslade and the rest of West Sussex. We survey seven days a week.
- Outlets that hold water back
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
Flat roofs in Portslade
Portslade lies within about 1 mile of the sea, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Wind can catch loose edges and trims on a flat roof, and salt air is hard on metal trims, flashings and fixings. In Sussex, older roofs are frequently handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. 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 you own a rental within reach of Fishersgate station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. With Portslade Manor about 0.1 miles south-west, the area around Portslade has a long history. Older houses nearby often have flat roofs added much later, built to very different standards from the main roof.
Portslade is about 1 mile west of Brighton and Hove, in West Sussex. Roofs in Portslade get the same thorough look as anywhere else in West Sussex. Portslade is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover.
Every address in BN41, BN3 and BN42 is covered for flat roof surveys. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on Mill Lane, Crown Road and Drove Road or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Portslade sits on or near the A293, so getting to you is simple. Other places close to Portslade include Hangleton (1 mile north-east), Southwick (1 mile south-west), Kingston by Sea (1 mile west), Shoreham-by-Sea (2 miles west) and Old Shoreham (3 miles west). Further out, we also cover Worthing (8 miles west), Haywards Heath (12 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (9 miles north-east), Littlehampton (14 miles west), Lancing (5 miles west) and Rustington (13 miles west).
What’s near Portslade
In Portslade, that means homes and buildings near King's School, Benfield Hill and The Mill House. The nearest railway station is Fishersgate station, about 0.7 miles south of the centre. A little further out are British Engineerium (1.8 miles east) and Southlands Hospital (1.8 miles west). The countryside around Portslade includes Shoreham Beach and Thundersbarrow Hill.
Flat roof survey in Portslade: what you get
A flat roof survey looks at the covering, the edges, the outlets and the details where the roof meets walls and rooflights. Felt, asphalt, EPDM, GRP and single-ply PVC or TPO roofs are all part of the work. We survey extension, garage and dormer roofs as well as bigger roofs on flats, offices and units. You get a report with photographs and our recommendations. Common reasons to book are signs of deflection in the roof deck and splits, cracks and crazing, on mastic asphalt, EPDM rubber and felt flat roofs.
Outbuildings, garden rooms and garages in places like Portslade frequently have flat roofs of their own. They’re rarely looked at until something gets wet. It’s worth mentioning them when booking, so the visit can include them. Smaller roofs use the same coverings as bigger ones, from felt to rubber and GRP, and age in the same way.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, sent by email. It explains the condition of the flat roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Where
- Portslade (BN41, BN3, BN42)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Also near Portslade
More services for Portslade
When to book a survey in Portslade
Flat roofs take the full force of the weather on a surface that drains slowly. Over the years, coverings harden, crack and start to come away at the edges. Most people book a survey after a leak, before buying, or when they think the roof is getting old.
Typical things we are asked to look at include:
- Outlets that hold water back
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
If you look after a shop, office or commercial unit, for instance near Churchill Square, a flat roof over a business is out of sight and out of mind until it leaks.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Whether the price includes VAT
Common questions in Portslade
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Portslade?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
How do I find out if my home in Portslade is listed?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, across 20+ years of surveying roofs.
Do you work in Portslade?
Yes. Portslade is part of the area we cover, and the service is the same as everywhere else we work.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it is applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules. We are a CAA-registered drone operator.
How much is a survey?
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all with VAT included.
Do you go up onto the roof?
Where it’s safe, the roof is inspected from the roof itself. If not, we use safe viewpoints and look inside, and we note any area we couldn’t see. We don’t walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.
What you can safely check yourself
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey.
You can learn a lot from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Portslade
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. Surveys run seven days a week, which can make access easier.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer, so they’re priced to suit.
What we look for on each type of roof
Felt and built-up roofs
A felt roof frequently 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.
GRP fibreglass
GRP roofs are laid as a resin and glass-fibre layer over boards. We look for cracks at board joints, around trims and at upstands.
Honest limits
It’s a careful look at the flat roof, not the whole story. Its limits include:
- Fragile surfaces, which we do not walk on
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
- An exact number of years the roof has left
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before you book. What a survey covers and does not.
Roofs we survey in Portslade
- Upstands and outlets
- Mastic asphalt
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
- Felt flat roofs
- GRP fibreglass
What happens on the day
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. The visit normally takes roughly 1–2 hours for a house, and longer for a large or complex roof. Some parts of a survey depend on the weather, so a visit to Portslade is booked with the forecast in mind: drone flights and thermal imaging need the right conditions, while a look from ground level and the loft can go ahead in most weather.
- You send us the address and, for commercial roofs, an idea of the roof’s size.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where there is access.
- We view the roof from safe positions and never walk on fragile surfaces.
- We record every defect with a photo and its likely cause.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
Before the survey
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
How to book
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and the days you’d prefer.