West Sussex · London and the South East
Wivelsfield Gutter Survey
Wondering about the gutter at a property in Wivelsfield? We carry out gutter surveys in Wivelsfield and across West Sussex.
- Valley or box gutters that overflow inside
- Gutters that have fallen out of line
- Water spilling over the gutter edge
How a gutter survey works in Wivelsfield
Some gutters are easy to see from the street, but many aren’t. Valley gutters between slopes, gutters behind parapet walls and box or secret gutters can overflow inside the building when they block. We look at them as far as they can safely be seen, from ground level, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where it’s safe. Many leaks indoors start at a hidden gutter. Typical surveys look at hoppers and outlets full of debris and water backing up from a hidden gutter, on downpipes, outlets and hoppers and parapet and box gutters.
Some older homes in villages like Wivelsfield 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. A roof report helps you plan work with that in mind. Where a building is listed, matching the existing roof materials is often expected.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Place
- Wivelsfield (RH17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What a gutter survey does not cover
A survey is a careful look at the gutter, but it cannot do everything. Its limits include:
- Parts of gutters that cannot be seen safely
- Underground drains, which need a CCTV drain survey
- Damage hidden inside walls or behind boards
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
What we look at
- Valley gutters
- Outlets and hoppers
- Fascias and soffits
- Parapet and box gutters
- Eaves gutters
- Downpipes
Landlord and commercial surveys in Wivelsfield
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps with budgets and planning.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord. Access is agreed with the tenant in advance.
Also near Wivelsfield
Other services in Wivelsfield
How the survey changes by roof type
Cast iron gutters
Rust at joints and brackets is the usual weak point on cast iron. We note corrosion, cracks and leaking joints as far as we can see them.
Lead-lined valley and parapet gutters
Many older homes have lead-lined valley and parapet gutters. Splits and failed joints in the lead can let water straight in.
What a gutter survey looks like in Wivelsfield
The wider area around Wivelsfield has a long history of building, with Ockenden Manor about 3.6 miles north-west. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. 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. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look.
If you look after a building like Wivelsfield Primary School, a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time. Landlords with a home close to Wivelsfield station may find that a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Wivelsfield is about 2 miles east of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. Roofs in Wivelsfield get the same thorough look as anywhere else in West Sussex. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, large and small. Brighton is in our area too.
We cover every part of the RH17 postcode area for gutter surveys. That includes homes and businesses on Blackmores, Ditchling Road and Green Road. We also cover the places around Wivelsfield: Wivelsfield Green (1 mile east), Ditchling Common (1 mile south), Haywards Heath (2 miles north), Scaynes Hill (2 miles north-east) and Plumpton Green (3 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Crawley (11 miles north-west), Horsham (12 miles north-west), East Grinstead (12 miles north), Shoreham-by-Sea (12 miles south-west), Lancing (14 miles south-west) and Broadfield (10 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Wivelsfield
We work in homes and buildings around The Burgess Hill Academy and Royal Oak pub, among other places. The nearest railway station is Wivelsfield station, roughly 1.4 miles west. Nearby you’ll also find St Francis Hospital (1.6 miles north) and Burgess Hill Museum (1.9 miles south-west). For a walk, there’s Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve and Ditchling Beacon.
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Our tips:
- Get the gutters cleaned out every year
- Check for spilling water in a downpour
- Look for new stains on ceilings below valleys after rain
- Have overhanging branches cut back
After any work is done, watch the gutters in the next heavy rain. Water should run to the outlets and away without spilling over, and if it does not, raise it with whoever did the job.
Deal with drips, sags and loose downpipes early. Left alone, they typically grow, and the water they spill can damage walls and timber.
When to book a survey in Wivelsfield
Hidden gutters are often lined with lead or another sheet covering. When a lining splits or an outlet blocks, the water can come inside, because there is no outer edge for it to spill over. Lead is also a target for theft.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Leaves and moss blocking gutters
- Water spilling over the gutter edge
- Brackets that have dropped or snapped
- Blocked outlets and hoppers
For an older house near a landmark such as Ote Hall Chapel, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- What happens after the report arrives
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
What we do, step by step
We don’t take risks to get a closer look. Everything that can be seen safely is inspected, and if part of the roof cannot be seen, the report says so. The survey normally takes about 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Somewhere as small as Wivelsfield, access is often the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First, we agree the areas to focus on.
- We look along each run for debris, sagging and drips.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Let us know about parking near the property
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Getting a price
Gutter survey starts from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or email us to find out.
Related advice
Wivelsfield: your questions answered
I let a flat near Wivelsfield station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and agents are among the people we work for. Just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.
Will you come out to Wivelsfield?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are frequently shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Will you check if gutters are causing damp inside?
Overflowing gutters frequently lead to damp walls, and the survey looks for that. If the evidence points elsewhere, we’ll say so, based on what we can see.
Will the survey check for asbestos?
No, that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor. We point out materials on older buildings that could contain asbestos so it can be checked before work starts.
How long will you be on site?
A visit normally takes about one to two hours on an ordinary house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. You will know roughly how long when we arrange the visit.
Will you go up on the roof?
Only when it is safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where applicable, a drone.