Hampshire · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Southwick, Hampshire
Independent flat roof surveys in Southwick. We have completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Splits and cracks in the covering
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
- Loose or cracked edge trims
Flat roofs in Southwick
Southwick is within about 2 miles of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Salt in the air is hard on metal flashings and fixings, and wind catches any loose edge on a flat roof. Thatch survives on some older buildings in Hampshire’s villages. Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles. Flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages and business units are found alongside them almost everywhere.
If you look after a building such as King Richard School, a large flat roof with lots of outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail. For landlords with property near Portchester station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. Shop and office owners around Fareham Shopping Centre may find that flat roofs over shops and units are easy to forget until water comes through a ceiling.
Southwick is about 3 miles west of Purbrook, in Hampshire. Southwick gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful look at what can safely be seen, photographs and a clear written report. Southwick is one of the places in Hampshire where we work.
We work across PO17 for flat roof surveys. We offer flat roof surveys to properties on High Street, North Road West and Castle Road and the roads around them. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Boarhunt (1 mile west), North Boarhunt (2 miles north-west), Portchester (2 miles south), Hundred Acres (3 miles north-west) and North Fareham (3 miles west). Larger places within reach include Gosport (5 miles south), Havant (5 miles east), Eastleigh (12 miles north-west), Fareham (4 miles west), Horndean (5 miles north-east) and Chandler's Ford (14 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Southwick
In Southwick, that means homes and buildings near Red Lion Inn, among other places. Southwick’s nearest station is Portchester station, about 1.9 miles south. Well-known places in the area include Portchester Castle (2.6 miles south) and Fareham Shopping Centre (3.2 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Portsdown Hill and St Clair's Meadow.
Flat roof survey in Southwick: what you get
Every flat roof covering tends to fail in its own way. 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. Knowing what you have and how it’s doing helps you plan what comes next. If you’ve noticed edge trims that have lifted or split and blistering in felt or asphalt, we can find out what’s behind it, on upstands and outlets, EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass alike.
Some older homes in villages like Southwick are listed or in a conservation area, and that can affect how an extension roof or dormer is re-covered. Check with the council before planning any change of material. Finding out what state the roof is in gives you the facts to plan with. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
The report does not just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Place
- Southwick (PO17)
- Wider area
- Hampshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Should I look at the roof myself first?
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 do not climb up for a closer look.
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.
Southwick questions
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Southwick?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Southwick, take more of a battering?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Exposed details like ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch, and Southwick is within about 2 miles of the coast.
Will this cover the whole house?
No. It is a closer look at the flat roof, not a survey of the whole property. It works alongside a RICS home survey, not instead of one, and structural calculations need a structural engineer.
Does the survey cover asbestos?
We don’t 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’s disturbed.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, over more than 20 years.
What happens after the survey?
You receive the written report by email, with photographs and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
How long does the survey take?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof, but most surveys take an hour or two for a house, and more on a big or complicated roof. The written report follows by email.
Why act early in Southwick
On a commercial building, a flat roof leak can disrupt tenants, staff and stock. A planned survey lets you budget for work rather than deal with an emergency around the business. Older and listed buildings around Southwick may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why book us in Southwick
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- PI and public liability insurance
Tips that help
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Note the date and type of any roof work
- Clear roof outlets and gutters each autumn
- Keep clear of rooflights and fragile roof sheets
- Note where water lies after a downpour
If anything in the report is not clear, just ask us. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation, giving you a chance to go through what we found.
Check the roof from a window after a downpour. Water still lying a day or two later is worth getting looked at.
Also near Southwick
More services for Southwick
How it works
Every roof is different; as a rough guide, the survey takes an hour or two for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. You are welcome to ask questions while we’re there. Rural addresses near Southwick can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- First we go through the roof, what’s beneath it and any problems so far.
- The roof is viewed from safe positions, including the roof itself where that is safe.
- The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
- We photograph and record the outlets, upstands, trims and rooflights.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
How to prepare
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
Book a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
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What we cannot see
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- An exact number of years the roof has left
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll point you to the right survey before you book. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Southwick
- Mastic asphalt
- Felt flat roofs
- Single-ply membranes
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- EPDM rubber
Roof by roof
Mastic asphalt
Asphalt has no laps, so its weak points are cracks and the skirtings at walls and upstands. We record any crazing or splits and where water may be getting in.
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.