West Sussex · London and the South East
Gutter survey in River, West Sussex
We carry out gutter surveys in River and the rest of West Sussex. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
- Sagging gutters and loose brackets
- Valley or box gutters that overflow inside
- Overflowing eaves gutters
About our gutter survey in River
Gutters are usually fixed to fascia boards, so fascias and soffits are part of the survey. Long-term overflowing can soften and rot timber boards and stain the soffits below. On buildings from before 2000, some soffits and rainwater goods may be asbestos cement. We do not carry out asbestos testing, so we flag anything that might contain it for a specialist asbestos surveyor to check. If you’ve noticed valley or box gutters that overflow inside and joints that drip after rain, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Older buildings in small places like River may be 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 report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Photographs show what each point refers to, with the urgent items made clear.
- Place
- River (GU28)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Checking the roof from ground level
It’s useful to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
Common roof problems in River
Moss grows on many tiled and slate roofs, and heavy rain washes clumps of it into the gutters. With grit from the coverings, it forms a thick sludge that slows the flow and gives plants somewhere to grow.
Problems we come across often include:
- Sagging gutters and loose brackets
- Leaks at the gutter joints
- Overflowing valley or parapet gutters
- Choked outlets or hopper heads
For an older house near a landmark like The Parish Church of St Peter, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
Your questions about gutter surveys in River
Is River within the area you cover?
Yes, River is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Do you carry out roof surveys in River?
Yes, River is one of the places we work. Every survey there gets the same written report with photographs.
Can a gutter survey explain damp on my walls?
Overflowing gutters frequently lead to damp walls, and the survey looks for that. If the cause looks like something else, the report says so as far as we can tell from what’s visible.
What’s the best way to book?
Just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address. We’ll ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date, weekday or weekend.
Will you check the loft?
If it is needed and safe to reach, yes. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it’s safe. Safe viewpoints, the roof space and a drone where applicable cover most of what’s needed.
What happens next?
You’ll get the report by email, with photographs and clear recommendations. With Standard there’s a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
What we can’t see
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Keep these in mind:
- Whether a material contains asbestos (a specialist asbestos surveyor’s job)
- The inside of a downpipe along its whole length
- Parts of gutters that can’t be seen safely
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will suggest the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in River
- Eaves gutters
- Valley gutters
- Fascias and soffits
- Downpipes
- Parapet and box gutters
- Outlets and hoppers
What we do, step by step
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes about 1–2 hours at most homes, and longer for a large or complex roof. If you have questions on the day, just ask. In a small place like River, access is typically the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We agree which parts of the building you are most worried about.
- Each gutter run is checked for blockages, sags and leaking joints.
- We check the outlets, hoppers, downpipes and any overflows.
- We check fascias, soffits and walls for water damage.
- Findings are photographed and set out in a written report.
Preparing for the visit
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
Arrange a survey
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.
Related advice
Different roofs, different checks
Fascias and soffits
Some older soffits may contain asbestos. Any we think could be are flagged for a specialist asbestos surveyor to check.
Plastic (uPVC) gutters
Older plastic gutters can turn brittle and split. We check the joints, brackets and falls.
Also in River
Before and after the survey
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner, before and after a survey:
- Look for green streaks or damp patches on walls
- Look for downpipes coming loose
- Watch ceilings under valley gutters for fresh marks
- Include valley, parapet and box gutters when clearing
If anything in the report is not clear, ask us. With the Standard Survey there is a follow-up consultation and the Premium Survey comes with an in-person one.
Do not forget valley, parapet and box gutters. They block in the same way as the gutters you can see but you cannot check them from the street, so check they’re included in any clearing work.
River homes and their roofs
Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Whatever the covering, it is often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first. Petworth House, about 2.4 miles east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around River. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
River is about 12 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. Whether the building in River is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex. We also survey roofs in Guildford.
Surveys in GU28 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Nearby, we also carry out gutter surveys in Upperton (1 mile east), Selham (2 miles south), Tillington (2 miles south-east), South Ambersham (2 miles south-west) and Hampers Green (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Bognor Regis (14 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Rustington (15 miles south-east), Storrington (11 miles south-east) and Billingshurst (9 miles east).
Local landmarks in River
Around River, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Hollist Arms Public House. Other landmarks nearby include Lodsworth Castle (1.3 miles south) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (3 miles south-east). For a walk, there is Graffham Common and Blackdown.