West Sussex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Southwick, West Sussex
Get a clear view of the flat roof at a property in Southwick from an independent roof surveyor. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Leaks around rooflights
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
Different roofs, different checks
EPDM rubber
Lifting at the edges and loose areas of membrane are common EPDM problems. We record any we can see, with photographs.
Mastic asphalt
With age, asphalt can harden and crack with movement. The report shows where it is cracking and how far it seems to extend.
How a flat roof survey works in Southwick
We inspect a flat roof from wherever it can safely be seen: on the roof where it’s safe, from windows and higher ground, and from the rooms below where we can reach them. Fragile rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on. Where any area cannot be viewed safely, we say so in the report, so the limits of the survey are clear. If you’ve noticed blisters and bubbles in the covering and pools of water lying on the roof, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
In smaller places like Southwick, flat roofs are mostly on extensions, garages, porches and dormers. Even a small flat roof can let a good many water into the room below. What it’s covered in, and how well it was laid, decides what it needs. Ponding, splits and lifting edges are the signs to look for from a window.
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.
- Place
- Southwick (BN42, BN41, BN43)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Flat roofs in Southwick
Southwick lies within about 1 mile of the sea, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more 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. Historic houses such as Portslade Manor, about 0.8 miles north-east, show how far back building in the area around Southwick goes. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If you run a business near Churchill Square, outlets and upstands on commercial flat roofs are the places to check before trouble starts. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Eastbrook Primary Academy, schools and public buildings often have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks.
Southwick is about 2 miles east of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. We visit Southwick as part of our work across West Sussex, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Our West Sussex coverage includes Southwick.
Flat roof surveys in BN42, BN41 and BN43 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Streets in the area include Station Road, Roman Crescent and Southwick Street, and we cover them all. With the A259 and A270 close by, Southwick is easy for us to reach for flat roof surveys. Close by, we survey roofs in Kingston by Sea (1 mile north-west), Portslade (1 mile north-east), Shoreham-by-Sea (2 miles west), Hangleton (2 miles north-east) and Old Shoreham (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Worthing (7 miles west), Haywards Heath (13 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles north-east), Littlehampton (13 miles west), Lancing (4 miles west) and Rustington (12 miles west).
Around Southwick
Typical jobs here are in homes near Shoreham Academy, Benfield Hill and The Ship Inn, among other places. Southwick has its own railway station: Southwick station. Nearby you will also find Southlands Hospital (1 mile west) and Churchill Square (4 miles east). Not far away are Shoreham Beach and Thundersbarrow Hill.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Southwick
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan.
Towns and villages near Southwick
Also in Southwick
Questions from Southwick
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Southwick?
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.
Will you come out to Southwick?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we will recommend one.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
There’s no honest way to give an exact number of years. Typical ranges are around 15 to 20 years for felt, 30 to 50 for EPDM and up to about 30 for GRP, but the report tells you how your roof is really doing.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, across 20+ years of surveying roofs, with 98% customer satisfaction.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning. Let us know about it as you book and we’ll explain what’s needed.
What happens after the survey?
The report arrives by email, with photographs and clear recommendations. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
When to book a survey in Southwick
No flat roof covering lasts for ever. Around 15 to 20 years is common for felt, while EPDM frequently lasts 30 to 50 years and GRP up to about 30, though workmanship and upkeep make a big difference. We can tell you how your roof is doing, whatever its age.
Typical things we’re asked to look at include:
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
- Outlets that hold water back
- Upstands pulling away from walls
The streets around a church such as St Michael and All Angels Church are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof.
What to check before booking
- What the survey won’t cover
- How soon the report will arrive
- Will the report include photos?
- Their track record with similar roofs
What you can safely check yourself
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
What happens on the day
Every roof is different; as a rough guide, the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. You are welcome to ask questions while we’re there. Being in a smaller place like Southwick does not change how the visit works: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- We start with the details: the address, the roof’s use and any leaks or stains.
- We view the roof from ground level, from windows and from the roof where it’s safe to do so.
- The covering, falls, upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- Inside, we look for damp and staining under the roof where there’s access.
- We send a written report with photos, the defects we found and what we recommend.
Preparing for the visit
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
How to book
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We will confirm the price before you book.
Advice
What a survey costs
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- The size of the roof
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Getting in touch
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, it helps to mention:
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- The property’s address and postcode
- Anything about access we should know
Booking is simple: just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and give us some details about the property and we will recommend the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.