East Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Arlington
Tracing where water is getting into your roof for Arlington, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
- Water that shows only in certain storms
- Leaks at a dormer or roof window
How a roof leak investigation works in Arlington
Water is good at hiding where it gets in. Water often travels along timbers or underlay before it finds a way down, so the stain on your ceiling is seldom right under the hole. We follow it back towards where it starts, one likely route at a time. Patching the spot above the stain frequently misses the real cause. Tracing the route first means any work can be aimed at the right place. If you’re worried about damp on a chimney breast and brown rings on upstairs ceilings, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Many homes in small places like Arlington face open ground, where storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hardest. Damp in old stone, brick or timber walls is slow to dry out, so it pays to find the cause quickly. A written record also helps if you need to explain it to anyone else.
What you get is a clear record of the leaking roof on the day we saw it. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, such as when you want to compare after future work.
- Where
- Arlington (BN26)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take about one to two hours on an ordinary house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Older roofs in small places like Arlington can have low, tight loft spaces, so it helps to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You tell us where the water shows and when it appears.
- The visit starts indoors, at the stain and in the loft.
- Outside, we look at every likely route in.
- We use moisture detection, and thermal imaging where it’s useful.
- Your report sets out where the water is most likely getting in, with photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
How to book
Every survey is priced before it is booked, so you know the cost up front. Our price is from £150, including VAT. To book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
Towns and villages near Arlington
Also in Arlington
Honest limits
In fairness, a roof survey has limits:
- An intermittent leak that shows no trace on the day
- Water from pipes, tanks or heating systems
- Whether rotten timbers meet design loads
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll point you to the right survey. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Slate and tile slopes
- Rooflights and dormers
- Lead flashings
Tips from our surveys
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Mention any plumbing above the damp area
- Let us know what has already been tried
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Note the weather when the leak shows
If condensation is the cause, we explain it, and suggest how the loft space could be better ventilated. It saves chasing a leak that isn’t there.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Good airflow reduces condensation, which is often mistaken for a leak. Keep insulation clear of the eaves.
Roof leak investigations around Arlington
Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs, and the county’s older buildings include oast houses and Wealden hall houses. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in. With Michelham Priory about 1.5 miles north-east, Arlington sits in an area with a long building history. If yours is one of the older homes, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near The Parish Church of St Pancras, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney. For landlords with property near Berwick (Sussex) station, a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over.
Arlington is about 3 miles south-west of Hailsham, in East Sussex. Surveys in Arlington work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Across East Sussex, we cover Arlington. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
Postcode districts we cover here for roof leak investigations: BN26. We also cover the places around Arlington: Wickstreet (1 mile north), Berwick (1 mile west), Wilmington (2 miles south), Selmeston (2 miles west) and Milton Street (2 miles south). Further out, we also cover Eastbourne (6 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (12 miles east), Seaford (6 miles south-west), Lewes (8 miles west), Hailsham (3 miles north-east) and Crowborough (14 miles north).
Around Arlington
We work in homes and buildings around Yew Tree Inn, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Berwick (Sussex) station, about 1.2 miles west of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Agricultural Museum (2 miles south) and Hellingly Hospital Railway (4.1 miles north-east). Open spaces near Arlington include Combe Hill.
FAQs for Arlington
Do you cover Arlington?
Yes. We work right across London and South East England, and Arlington is part of that. You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details.
Is my home in Arlington listed or in a conservation area?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Is thermal imaging part of a leak investigation?
Thermal imaging is used where it is useful, and it’s included in our Premium Survey. It picks up temperature patterns rather than water, so we confirm its findings with moisture readings.
Do I need to be at home?
That depends on the survey. For inside areas and the loft space, someone has to give us access; we’ll agree the details as you book.
Why is the stain in a different place from the leak?
Rain that gets in will run along whatever it lands on. On a flat roof it can travel under the covering before it shows. Following that route is what our investigation does.
Can you always find the source?
We cannot promise to find every leak on one visit. Many leave clear signs, but some only appear in certain weather. We report what we found and the likeliest sources.
How long does the visit take?
The visit typically takes about 1–2 hours at most homes, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. We’ll give you an idea of timing when you book.
What you can safely check yourself
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Prices for roof leak investigations in Arlington
Our packages start from £150, inc. VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- House, block, shop or office
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report isn’t charged as an extra. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
What to let us know when you contact us
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- When you need the report by
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roof upstands and outlets
The upturned edge of a flat roof covering keeps water out at walls. If it is too low, cracked or poorly dressed, water gets behind it.
Valleys
Leaves and moss build up in valleys and hold water back. During a downpour, water can back up under the coverings.