West Sussex · London and the South East
Gutter Survey in Birdham
Not sure what state the gutter is in? We carry out gutter surveys in Birdham and across West Sussex.
- Soffits marked by water
- Overflowing valley or parapet gutters
- Water spilling over the gutter edge
Birdham homes and their roofs
The coast is about 2 miles or less from Birdham, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, and driving rain gets into whatever gap is left. Older houses across Sussex frequently have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first.
For an older house near a landmark such as St James' Church, corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs. For landlords with property near Fishbourne station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at.
Birdham is about 4 miles south-west of Chichester, in West Sussex. Birdham gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a close look at what can safely be seen, photographs and a clear written report. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Portsmouth is in our area too.
Postcode districts we cover here for gutter surveys: PO20. That includes homes and businesses on Old Common Close, Main Road and Walwyn Close and the roads around them. Other places close to Birdham include Somerley (1 mile south-west), Almodington (1 mile south), Shipton Green (1 mile west), Highleigh (2 miles south-east) and Earnley (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Bognor Regis (6 miles east), Chichester (4 miles north-east), Selsey (5 miles south-east), Littlehampton (13 miles east), Emsworth (6 miles north-west) and Rustington (14 miles east).
What’s near Birdham
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Birdham Public House. For rail, the closest station is Fishbourne station, about 3.3 miles north of the centre. A little further out are Chichester Castle (4.1 miles north-east) and St Richard's Hospital (4.4 miles north-east). Not far away are Pilsey Island.
Gutter survey in Birdham
We check the rainwater system above ground level: gutters, outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows. It is not a CCTV drain survey, so we cannot 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. Anything we find above ground, like a split hopper or a leaking downpipe, is photographed and recorded. We survey parapet and box gutters, fascias and soffits and valley gutters, and common reasons people get in touch are overflowing eaves gutters and rotten fascias or stained soffits.
Some older homes in villages like Birdham are listed or in a conservation area. If yours is, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so the council is the place to check. Knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan ahead with that in mind. Older materials such as clay tiles, slate and stone are frequently matched when work is done.
It is not only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend.
- Where
- Birdham (PO20)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What else we do in Birdham
Signs you need a gutter survey in Birdham
Some gutters may be too small, or have too few downpipes, for the roof they serve. Added roof area from an extension can load an older gutter and the weakness shows in a heavy downpour.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Joints that drip after rain
- Rotten fascias or stained soffits
- Downpipes that are split or coming away
- Hoppers and outlets full of debris
Take a building like Birdham CE Primary School: long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- When you will get the report
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- What they won’t be able to tell you
Leave it or get it looked at?
A blocked valley or parapet gutter does not spill harmlessly. It can back up into the loft space and the rooms below, often in the heaviest rain. It is worth having these gutters looked at before the wetter months. Older and listed buildings around Birdham may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so leaving a defect until it’s urgent leaves less time to plan.
Gutter survey starts from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we can help you choose.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Birdham
- 98% of customers satisfied
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- 20+ years’ experience
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
Take a look at our cost guide or our case studies.
How the survey works
Photographs are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a small place like Birdham, access is normally the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We agree which parts of the building you are most worried about.
- Each gutter run is checked for blockages, sags and leaking joints.
- Outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows are inspected.
- Fascias, soffits and the walls below are looked at for signs of overflow.
- Findings are photographed and set out in a written report.
Preparing for the visit
- Find any records of previous roof work
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Getting a price
If you’re buying, it’s useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply phone 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.
Read more
Birdham questions
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Birdham, 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 corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
Is my home in Birdham listed or in a conservation area?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it is in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
What’s in the survey report?
It explains what we saw, what it means and what we’d suggest, backed by photographs. Anything we couldn’t see safely is noted too.
Do you work in Birdham?
Yes. We cover Birdham and the rest of West Sussex. To book, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it is applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If it is needed and safe to reach, yes. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement.
Roof by roof
Plastic (uPVC) gutters
On plastic systems, slipped joints are one of the most common faults. We record each one we can see.
Lead-lined valley and parapet gutters
Lead gutters need their linings, steps and outlets in good order where it is safe to see them. Missing lead is something we check for too.
Honest limits
It is a careful look at the gutter, not the whole story. The main limits are:
- Underground drains, which need a CCTV drain survey
- What’s hidden inside a downpipe
- Damage hidden inside walls or behind boards
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will recommend the right survey. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roofs we survey in Birdham
- Downpipes
- Valley gutters
- Parapet and box gutters
- Outlets and hoppers
- Fascias and soffits
- Eaves gutters
Tips from our surveys
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Book gutter clearing once a year, more often near trees
- Check the loft with care after heavy rain
- Look out for overflows when it pours
- Watch for green marks down the brickwork
Report times depend on the package you choose: within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. It’s sent to you by email once it is done.
Hidden gutters need clearing too. They collect leaves and silt just like eaves gutters but you cannot check them from the street, so make sure they’re included in any clearing work.