West Sussex · London and the South East
Adur Roof Leak Investigation
Not sure what state the leaking roof is in? We carry out roof leak investigations in Adur and across West Sussex.
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Condensation that looks like a leak
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
How a roof leak investigation works in Adur
A leak that comes and goes can be the hardest to pin down. Driving rain from one direction, melting snow or a gutter that overflows in a downpour can all set it off. Telling us when it happens helps a lot, along with any photos you’ve taken. Even on a dry day, a leak usually leaves clues: stained timbers, tide marks and damp underlay. Moisture readings show where materials are still wet. We are often asked to look into leaks below a flat extension roof and water coming in around a roof light or dormer, across flat roof details, the roof space and slate and tile slopes.
Somewhere as small as Adur, older roofs have frequently been repaired many times. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, and the difference matters, especially to an insurer. The report says what was seen and what it points to. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it is worth finding the cause soon.
The report doesn’t just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Place
- Adur (BN43, BN15)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Valleys
Debris in a valley slows the water and pushes it sideways. In heavy rain, it can spill under the edges of the slates or tiles.
Chimney stacks
Damp on a chimney breast inside often starts at the top of the stack. Unused flues with open pots can let rain straight in.
FAQs for Adur
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Adur?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
Is my home in Adur listed or in a conservation area?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. If a 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.
Is Adur in your area?
Yes. Our area covers London and South East England, Adur included.
Why is not the leak directly above the stain?
Rain that gets in will run along whatever it lands on. On a pitched roof it frequently runs down a rafter before it finds a way through the ceiling. Tracing that path is the heart of a leak investigation.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We note visible signs like sagging or deflection, but we’re not structural engineers and do not carry out calculations. Where an engineer is needed, we say so in the report.
Will you go up on the roof?
Only when it is safe. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. We use safe viewpoints, the roof space and a drone where it applies.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. It is a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
What this survey cannot tell you
We only report what can safely be seen on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- Leaks from plumbing, tanks or pipework rather than the roof
- A structural engineer’s report
- What’s under the covering or behind the plaster
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll point you to the right survey. What a survey covers and does not.
Roofs we survey in Adur
- Rooflights and dormers
- Slate and tile slopes
- Lead flashings
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
Also in Adur
How it works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes about 1–2 hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. Rural addresses near Adur can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- You tell us where the water appears, when, and what the weather was doing.
- Inside, we look at the stain and the ceiling around it.
- In the loft, we follow any signs of water back towards the roof.
- We inspect the likely entry points outside, from ground level, windows and the roof where safe.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Book a survey
Every survey is priced before it’s booked, so you know where you stand. Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Wind, rain and roofs in Adur
Adur lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. In a coastal gale, rain is driven sideways into laps, verges and flashings. Portslade Manor, about 3.2 miles east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Adur. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as The Sir Robert Woodard Academy, tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back. If you own a rental within reach of Shoreham-By-Sea station, a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer right away.
Adur is about 1 mile north-west of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. Anywhere in Adur, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Across West Sussex, we cover Adur. Brighton is in our area too.
Postcode districts we cover here for roof leak investigations: BN43 and BN15. Whether your property is on Steyning Road, Coombes Road and Mill Hill or anywhere close by, we can help. Other places close to Adur include Old Shoreham (1 mile south), Shoreham-by-Sea (1 mile south-east), Castle Town (2 miles north), Kingston by Sea (2 miles east) and Southwick (3 miles south-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Horsham (15 miles north), Worthing (5 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (13 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles north-east), Littlehampton (11 miles west) and Rustington (10 miles west).
Around Adur
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Sussex Pad pub, among other places. Adur’s nearest station is Shoreham-By-Sea station, roughly 1.5 miles south-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Steyning Museum (2.9 miles north-west) and Old Castle (4.9 miles south-west). Open spaces near Adur include Lancing Ring and Mill Hill.
Common roof problems in Adur
Some water in the loft isn’t rain at all. Warm, moist air from the house rises into a cold roof space and condenses, particularly where ventilation is poor. Drips from nails and damp underlay are typical signs.
Common reasons to book include:
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Damp underlay across a wide area
- Leaks at a dormer or roof window
For an older house near a landmark such as St Nicolas' Church, old mortar, worn lead and slipped slates are the usual suspects when water gets in.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Their track record with similar roofs
- What the survey won’t cover
- Their insurance cover
How we price roof leak investigations
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before you book. This is what makes a difference:
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- The shape of the roof and its details
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT.
What to tell us when you get in touch
Here’s what helps us most when you contact us:
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- What kind of property and roof it is
- When you need the report by
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Checking the roof from the ground
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Send it with your enquiry, as it helps us focus the survey.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.