West Sussex · London and the South East
Gutter survey in Balcombe, West Sussex
A careful look at the gutter at your property in Balcombe, and put it all in a written report with photos.
- Gutters packed with leaves or moss
- Leaking or loose downpipes
- Choked outlets or hopper heads
How a gutter survey works in Balcombe
We look at the rainwater system above ground level: gutters, outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows. It is not a CCTV drain survey, so we can’t see inside underground pipes. If the problem looks like a blocked or broken drain below ground, the report will say so, so you can get the drains checked separately. Problems above ground, from split hoppers to leaking downpipes, are photographed and noted. Common reasons to book are hoppers and outlets full of debris and soffits marked by water, on downpipes, fascias and soffits and parapet and box gutters.
In a small place like Balcombe, many roofs stand in the open, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are frequently where weather gets in first.
The report records the gutter as we found it on the day. It is useful straight away, and a good reference for later, such as when you want to compare after future work.
- Location
- Balcombe (RH17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: 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 between one and two hours for most homes, and longer where there are parapet, valley or box gutters to follow. Somewhere as small as Balcombe, access is often the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First, we agree the areas to focus on.
- We look along each run for debris, sagging and drips.
- Outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows are inspected.
- Fascias, soffits and the walls below are looked at for signs of overflow.
- You get photos and written recommendations, prioritised where relevant.
How to prepare
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Booking a survey
For a price for gutter surveys in Balcombe, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us give you an accurate price.
Read more
Prices for gutter surveys in Balcombe
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. That comes down to:
- House, block, shop or office
- Height and safe access
- Which survey package you book
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Prices start from £150, including VAT.
What we need to know
What helps most when you contact us:
- Anything about access we should know
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine, and please do not climb up for a closer look. To send them or to book, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Useful tips for Balcombe property owners
Getting the most from a gutter survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Tips:
- Watch ceilings under valley gutters for fresh marks
- Have overhanging branches cut back
- Leave gutter checks at height to someone equipped for it
- Check that downpipes are firmly fixed to the wall
Questions about the report are welcome. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey includes an in-person consultation.
Don’t forget valley, parapet and box gutters. They block in the same way as the gutters you can see but you can’t check them from the street, so ask for them to be included when gutters are cleared.
Your questions about gutter surveys in Balcombe
How do I find out if my home in Balcombe is listed?
We can’t 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.
Will you come out to Balcombe?
Yes, Balcombe is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
Do you test soffits or gutters for asbestos?
No, that is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. On buildings from before 2000, we flag materials that could contain it so it can be checked before work starts.
Will you look at parapet and box gutters as well?
Yes. Hidden gutters are a common cause of leaks inside so we pay close attention to them. Some may only be partly visible, and we’ll note that in the report.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Does someone need to be in?
Not necessarily. If we only need the outside, we can agree that ahead of time, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Local roofs in Balcombe
About 2.1 miles south-west lies Tyes Place, a reminder of how long the area around Balcombe has been built on. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. 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. Whatever the covering, it is frequently the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Balcombe CofE Controlled Primary School, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. The streets around a church like The Parish Church of St Mary are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs. If you let a flat or house near Balcombe station, a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant.
Balcombe is about 4 miles north of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. Roofs in Balcombe get the same thorough look as anywhere else in West Sussex. Balcombe is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex where we work for gutter surveys.
Here we cover the RH17 postcode area for gutter surveys. We cover properties on London Road, Stockcroft Road and Deanland Road. With the B2036 close by, Balcombe is simple for us to get to for gutter surveys. Other places close to Balcombe include Balcombe Lane (1 mile north), Brook Street (2 miles south), Staplefield (2 miles south-west), Worth Abbey (3 miles north) and Whitemans Green (3 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (5 miles north-west), Horsham (8 miles west), Haywards Heath (4 miles south), Burgess Hill (7 miles south), East Grinstead (7 miles north-east) and Broadfield (4 miles north-west).
Near you in Balcombe
Balcombe has its own railway station: Balcombe station. Other landmarks nearby include Princess Royal Hospital (4.9 miles south) and Cuckfield Museum (3.5 miles south). Open spaces near Balcombe include Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
What this survey can’t tell you
It helps to know what a survey won’t do before you book:
- Blockages deep inside downpipes
- Parts of gutters that can’t be seen safely
- The inside of buried drains
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Balcombe
- Eaves gutters
- Parapet and box gutters
- Fascias and soffits
- Valley gutters
- Outlets and hoppers
- Downpipes
Why it is worth a survey now in Balcombe
Clearing gutters removes the debris but it won’t explain why water keeps spilling over. Our survey also looks at falls, joints, brackets, outlets and downpipes, so you know whether there is more to it. Around Balcombe, older homes frequently have old roof timbers, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, with VAT included. We can help you choose the package that fits what you need to know.
Why book us in Balcombe
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Visits on any day of the week
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
- A report with photos
See our cost guide and our case studies.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Balcombe
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Balcombe. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.