Roof surveys across London and the South East 07833 053749info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk

West Sussex · London and the South East

Gutter survey in Plaistow, West Sussex

Find out the condition of the gutter at your property in Plaistow from an independent roof surveyor. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.

  • Choked outlets or hopper heads
  • Gutters overflowing in heavy rain
  • Valley or box gutters that overflow inside

Gutter surveys near Plaistow

Gutter survey in Plaistow

We carry out gutter surveys in Plaistow as part of our cover across London and the South East. On the day, we inspect whatever is safely visible, from ground level, from windows and from the roof space. Time on site usually takes an hour or two for most homes, and longer where there are parapet, valley or box gutters to follow. The written report follows, with photographs and recommendations. If you are worried about valley or box gutters that overflow inside and fascia boards damaged by overflowing water, we can find out what’s behind it.

Some older homes in villages like Plaistow are listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials can be used when work is done, so check with the council before planning anything. A roof report helps you plan work with that in mind. Where a building is listed, matching the existing roof materials is frequently expected.

The written findings come by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.

Illustration of a tiled roof edge with a blocked gutter, drips, a damp patch on the wall and a magnifying glass
Where
Plaistow (RH14)
Wider area
West Sussex
Cost
From £150 inc. VAT
Reports
Written, with photos, emailed to you
Appointments
Weekdays and weekends
Cover
PI and public liability insurance
Phone
07833 053749
Page updated
27 October 2026

Why it’s worth a survey now in Plaistow

It’s easy to put damp down to the wrong cause. When rainwater goods are the source, treating the wall alone will not solve it. Checking the gutters first helps you spend in the right place. Older cottages and farmhouses around Plaistow can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.

Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before you book.

Why book us in Plaistow

  • We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
  • Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
  • Independent findings on the roof’s condition
  • 20+ years’ experience

See our cost guide or two real surveys.

The survey, step by step

You don’t need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes about 1–2 hours for most homes, and longer where there are parapet, valley or box gutters to follow. Older roofs in small places like Plaistow can have low, tight loft spaces, so it helps to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it’s safe.

  1. You let us know where you’ve seen overflows, drips or damp.
  2. We walk round the building and check the gutters, downpipes and fascias from the ground.
  3. We check hidden gutters as far as safe access allows.
  4. The roof space is checked for staining, where it can be reached safely.
  5. A written report with photos and recommendations follows.

Before we arrive

  • Tell us where we can park nearby
  • Show us where any leaks or stains appear
  • Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work

Booking a survey

Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.

Book a survey

Related advice

Surveys for landlords and agents in Plaistow

Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.

Landlords, agents and building managers in Plaistow and across West Sussex can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.

Different roofs, different checks

Lead-lined valley and parapet gutters

Lead gutters need their linings, steps and outlets in good order as far as they can safely be seen. Lead is also a target for theft.

Aluminium and other metal gutters

Metal gutters can suffer at joints and where different metals meet. We record any corrosion or leaks we see.

DIY checks: what’s safe

What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey.

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.

Plaistow homes and their roofs

Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them. There are about 500,000 buildings on England’s list of listed buildings, and around 10,000 conservation areas. If your home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission, so check with the council.

If you live in an older home near Holy Trinity Church, corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs.

Plaistow is about 11 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. From houses to flats and shops in Plaistow, the roof can be surveyed. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex. For surveys nearby, see our Guildford page.

All of RH14 is within our area for gutter surveys. Streets in the area include The Street, Loxwood Road and Oakfield, all of which we cover. Other places close to Plaistow include Durfold Wood (1 mile north-west), Ifold (1 mile east), Mackerel's Common (2 miles south), Loxwood (2 miles east) and Kirdford (2 miles south). Further out, we also cover Horsham (11 miles east), Storrington (11 miles south-east), Billingshurst (6 miles south-east), Bewbush (15 miles east), Roffey (12 miles east) and Southwater (10 miles east).

Local landmarks in Plaistow

The countryside around Plaistow includes Shillinglee Lake.

Map of Plaistow © OpenStreetMap contributors

Questions from Plaistow

Will you come out to Plaistow?

Yes, Plaistow is covered. Our area covers London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.

Does a conservation area affect roof work in Plaistow?

Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.

When is the best time for a gutter survey?

There’s no wrong time. If you’ve already seen a gutter overflowing, it’s best not to wait, because the walls take the water.

Can you tell me if my old gutters contain asbestos?

No, that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor. We point out materials on older buildings that could contain asbestos so you can arrange that check.

Do you check valley and parapet gutters?

Yes. These gutters often cause leaks indoors when they block so we pay close attention to them. Parts of them may not be visible, and the report says so.

Will you go up on the roof?

Not always. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. We use safe viewpoints, the loft space and a drone where it applies.

Is it a structural engineer’s report?

No. Visible signs like deflection or sagging are recorded, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.

Do you need a gutter survey in Plaistow?

Leaves are behind most blocked gutters. Nearby trees drop leaves, twigs and seeds into gutters every autumn and the debris builds up at the outlets. A choked outlet soon means a full, overflowing gutter.

Typical things we’re asked to look at include:

  • Sagging gutters and loose brackets
  • Leaves and moss blocking gutters
  • Fascia boards damaged by overflowing water
  • Water backing up from a hidden gutter

Anyone responsible for a site like Plaistow and Kirdford Primary School will know that long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.

Choosing a roof surveyor

  • Whether VAT is in the quoted price
  • Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
  • Are they insured for the work?
  • What experience they bring

What to expect from a roof survey

20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT