Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Gutter survey in Seven Dials, Brighton and Hove
Find out what’s going on with the gutter before you decide what to do next. Gutter surveys in Seven Dials, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Water spilling over the gutter edge
- Downpipes that are split or coming away
- Overflowing valley or parapet gutters
Local roofs in Seven Dials
Seven Dials is within about 1 mile of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. 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 often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them.
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near St Luke's Church Prestonville, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look. If you own a rental within reach of Brighton station, a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak. If you look after a shop, office or commercial unit, for instance near Churchill Square, a roof report helps plan work around trading rather than after a leak.
Seven Dials is about 1 mile west of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. In Seven Dials, as across Brighton and Hove, every roof gets the same careful survey. Our Brighton and Hove coverage includes Seven Dials and the places around it.
Postcode districts we cover here for gutter surveys: BN1, BN3 and BN50. Whether your property is on Dyke Road, Powis Road and York Avenue or a nearby road, we can survey it. Seven Dials sits on or near the A2010. Nearby, we also carry out gutter surveys in West Hill (1 mile south-east), Prestonville (1 mile north), Brunswick (1 mile south-west), Brighton (1 mile east) and Hanover (1 mile east). We also work in nearby towns like Hangleton (3 miles north-west), Saltdean (5 miles east), East Saltdean (6 miles east), Roedean (3 miles south-east), Rottingdean (4 miles east) and Ovingdean (3 miles east). Seven Dials is one of the larger places we cover in Brighton and Hove.
Near you in Seven Dials
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Stanford Junior School, The Cow pub and St. Ann's Well Gardens, among other places. Seven Dials has its own railway station: Brighton station. Other landmarks nearby include Montefiore Hospital (less than half a mile west) and Brighton Transport Museum (0.6 miles north). Not far away are Newmarket Hill and Whitehawk Hill.
Gutter survey in Seven Dials
Some gutters are easy to see from the street, but many are not. Valley, parapet, box and secret gutters can overflow inside the building when they block. We look at them as far as they can be seen safely using vantage points, the loft space and the roof itself where safe. Many leaks indoors start at a hidden gutter. We survey parapet and box gutters, downpipes and valley gutters, and people most often book us about leaks at the gutter joints and rotten fascias or stained soffits.
Around Seven Dials, older cottages sit alongside bungalows and newer houses. Older roofs can have slate, clay tiles or other traditional coverings, while many later ones have concrete tiles. Chimneys, valleys and gutters on older homes often need the most attention. The fixings under an older roof often fail before good slates or tiles do.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, and where it can wait, that is said too.
- Where
- Seven Dials (BN1, BN3, BN50)
- Wider area
- Brighton and Hove
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
Aluminium and other metal gutters
Aluminium and other metal gutters are used on many newer and commercial buildings. Their joints and outlets still need checking.
Box and secret gutters
A box gutter is built into the roof, often behind a parapet and when it overflows, water can get indoors. We inspect them as far as it’s safe to see them.
Tips from our surveys
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. What helps most:
- Check the loft with care after heavy rain
- Watch for green marks down the brickwork
- Check that downpipes are firmly fixed to the wall
- Don’t leave hidden gutters out of a clear-out
Report times depend on the package you choose: within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. We email it to you as soon as it’s ready.
Deal with drips, sags and loose downpipes early. Left alone, they usually grow, and the water they spill can damage walls and timber.
Honest limits
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Confirming asbestos in older rainwater goods
- The inside of a downpipe along its whole length
- Rot or damp concealed behind fascias or inside walls
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Downpipes
- Eaves gutters
- Fascias and soffits
- Valley gutters
- Outlets and hoppers
- Parapet and box gutters
Your questions about gutter surveys in Seven Dials
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Seven Dials, take more of a battering?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it typically shows, and Seven Dials is within about 1 mile of the coast.
Is Seven Dials within the area you cover?
Yes. Seven Dials is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
What happens after the survey?
The report arrives by email. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
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. Parts of them may not be visible, and the report says so.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
Does the report include photographs?
Yes. Photographs are taken throughout the survey, and the report uses them to show each finding.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but we do not provide calculations or an engineer’s opinion. If one is needed, the report says so.
What we do, step by step
Every roof is different; as a rough guide, the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for a house, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. You are welcome to ask questions while we are there. A visit to Seven Dials is planned like any other: the time, the access and where to park are agreed in advance. Weekday and weekend visits are both possible. Let us know about any garages, outbuildings or extensions you want included.
- We agree which parts of the building you’re most worried about.
- We look along each run for debris, sagging and drips.
- We check the outlets, hoppers, downpipes and any overflows.
- Fascias, soffits and the walls below are looked at for signs of overflow.
- You get photos and written recommendations, prioritised where relevant.
Preparing for the visit
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
Booking a survey
Gutter survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form to find out.
Related advice
What affects the cost of gutter surveys
All our prices include VAT. What changes the price is:
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- House, block, shop or office
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Getting in touch
These details help when you contact us:
- Anything about access we should know
- What’s prompted the survey
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- What kind of property and roof it is
For a price for gutter surveys in Seven Dials, phone 07833 053749 or email us. The address, the type of property and what you’d like to know help us give you an accurate price.
Places near Seven Dials
Also in Seven Dials
Surveys for landlords and agents in Seven Dials
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Bigger roofs take more time.
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Seven Dials. For a price for a let property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.