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

West Sussex · London and the South East

Gutter survey in Southwick, West Sussex

A survey of gutters, valleys, outlets and downpipes for Southwick, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.

  • Blocked outlets and hoppers
  • Valley or box gutters that overflow inside
  • Gutters packed with leaves or moss

Independent gutter surveys in Southwick

Gutter surveys for homes and businesses in Southwick

Leaves, moss and silt are the usual reasons gutters block. Buildings near trees collect more and moss from the roof slopes makes it worse. We note where gutters are clogged or holding water and where outlets or hoppers are choked and whether overflows are working. Photos show each problem clearly. Blocked gutters are easy to put off but it rarely improves. We survey parapet and box gutters, outlets and hoppers and eaves gutters, and common reasons people get in touch are sagging gutters and loose brackets and dripping or leaking gutter joints.

Around Southwick, 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, and the fixings under the coverings matter too. Nails and battens under older coverings often give out before the slates or tiles themselves.

It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.

Illustration of a gutter with moss in it dripping onto a wall below
Place
Southwick (BN42, BN41, BN43)
Region
West Sussex
Cost
From £150 inc. VAT
Reports
Emailed report with photos and recommendations
When we survey
Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Insurance
PI and public liability insurance
Telephone
07833 053749
Page updated
27 October 2026

Do you need a gutter survey in Southwick?

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. Once an outlet is choked, the gutter fills and overflows.

Common reasons to book include:

  • Sagging gutters and loose brackets
  • Fascia boards damaged by overflowing water
  • Gutters overflowing in heavy rain
  • Hoppers and outlets full of debris

For an older house near a landmark such as St Michael and All Angels Church, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.

Choosing a roof surveyor

  • Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
  • What the survey will not cover
  • Whether the loft is part of the inspection
  • What follow-up you get after the report

What’s in a roof survey

Gutter surveys around Southwick

Southwick is within about 1 mile of the coast, where sea air brings more salt and stronger 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. Historic houses such as Portslade Manor, about 0.8 miles north-east, show how far back building in the area around Southwick goes. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.

For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Eastbrook Primary Academy, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. For businesses in and around places like Churchill Square, knowing the roof’s condition lets you budget for work rather than pay for emergencies.

Southwick is about 2 miles east of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. Southwick gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a close look at whatever is safely visible, photographs and a clear written report. Southwick is one of the places in West Sussex we cover for gutter surveys.

Gutter surveys in BN42, BN41 and BN43 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We cover properties on Station Road, Roman Crescent and Southwick Street. You’ll find Southwick on the A259 and A270, which makes it simple to reach. If you’re just outside Southwick, we cover Kingston by Sea (1 mile north-west), Portslade (1 mile north-east), Shoreham-by-Sea (2 miles west), Hangleton (2 miles north-east) and Old Shoreham (2 miles west). We also work in nearby towns such as Worthing (7 miles west), Haywards Heath (13 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles north-east), Littlehampton (13 miles west), Lancing (4 miles west) and Rustington (12 miles west).

Local landmarks in Southwick

In Southwick, that means homes and buildings near Shoreham Academy, Benfield Hill and The Ship Inn, among other places. Southwick has its own railway station: Southwick station. Other landmarks nearby include Southlands Hospital (1 mile west) and Churchill Square (4 miles east). The countryside around Southwick includes Shoreham Beach and Thundersbarrow Hill.

Map of Southwick © OpenStreetMap contributors

Rented homes, blocks and businesses

If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the addresses.

For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out by urgency where it matters.

How it works

Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from every safe vantage point, photograph what we find and make notes for the report. Most visits take about one to two hours for a house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. For a survey in Southwick, we agree the time, the access and parking before the day. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. If there are outbuildings or garages you want looked at, mention them.

  1. We agree which parts of the building you are most worried about.
  2. Each gutter run is checked for blockages, sags and leaking joints.
  3. Outlets, hoppers, downpipes and overflows are inspected.
  4. We check fascias, soffits and walls for water damage.
  5. Findings are photographed and set out in a written report.

Preparing for the visit

  • Show us where any leaks or stains appear
  • Leave a clear route to the loft
  • For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building

Book a survey

Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to phone 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will explain the options and the price.

Book a survey

Advice

Should I look at the roof myself first?

A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.

Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry.

Tips from our surveys

Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:

  • Have overhanging branches cut back
  • Look for new stains on ceilings below valleys after rain
  • Watch the gutters during heavy rain
  • Get the gutters cleaned out every year

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’s done.

Don’t forget valley, parapet and box gutters. They block in the same way as the gutters you can see but they’re much harder to spot, so ask for them to be included when gutters are cleared.

Leave it or get it looked at?

A gutter clear-out takes the leaves away, but it doesn’t tell you why a gutter overflows. Our survey also looks at falls, joints, brackets, outlets and downpipes, so you know whether there’s more to it. Homes in smaller places like Southwick can face more weather, so a loose ridge or verge soon lets rain in. Wind gets under it and lifts more, and water follows.

We offer three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.

Why book us in Southwick

  • 5,000+ surveys completed
  • Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
  • Surveys on any day of the week
  • Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID

See our cost guide and our case studies.

Questions from Southwick

How do I find out if my home in Southwick is listed?

Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.

Is the coastal weather around Southwick hard on roofs?

It can do. Within about 1 mile of the sea, as Southwick is, metal fixings wear faster and gales find any loose ridge or slate.

What will the report tell me?

You get our findings in writing, part by part, with photos, finishing with recommendations. The most urgent items are made clear.

Do you cover Southwick for gutter surveys?

Yes. Our area covers London and South East England, and that includes Southwick.

Will you walk on the roof?

Only when it’s safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where applicable, a drone.

Will you check the loft?

Typically, if there’s one and it can be reached safely. The roof space can show things the outside cannot, such as damp timbers, staining or daylight.

What’s the best way to book?

Just call 07833 053749 or email us with the address. We will ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date.

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