West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Balcombe Lane
Roof leak investigations in Balcombe Lane from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
Balcombe Lane roofs and the weather
Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it is detailed. The wider area around Balcombe Lane has a long history of building, with Tyes Place about 3 miles south-west. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs.
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Mary: the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself. Shop and office owners around County Mall may find that a quick answer on where water is coming in keeps a business running.
Balcombe Lane is about 4 miles south-east of Crawley, in West Sussex. We visit Balcombe Lane as part of our work across West Sussex, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Across West Sussex, we cover Balcombe Lane.
Roof leak investigations in RH17 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We also cover Balcombe (1 mile south), Worth Abbey (2 miles north-east), Furnace Green (2 miles north-west), Pease Pottage (3 miles west) and Staplefield (3 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (4 miles north-west), Horsham (8 miles west), Haywards Heath (5 miles south), Burgess Hill (8 miles south), East Grinstead (6 miles north-east) and Broadfield (4 miles north-west).
Around Balcombe Lane
Around Balcombe Lane, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Oriel High School. For rail, the closest station is Balcombe station, about 1.3 miles south. Nearby you will also find Crawley Museum (3.9 miles north-west) and Waterbury Castle (4.8 miles south-east). For a walk, there’s Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
About our roof leak investigation in Balcombe Lane
Water is good at hiding where it gets in. It can run along a rafter, a batten or the underlay before it drips, so a ceiling stain is rarely directly below the cause. Our leak investigation traces it back. Patching the spot above the stain often misses the real cause. Finding the route first lets the repair go where it is needed. If you’ve noticed drips from nail tips in a cold loft and ceiling stains that grow after rain, we can find out what’s behind it, on rooflights and dormers, flat roof details and slate and tile slopes alike.
Being in a small place like Balcombe Lane makes no difference to how a leak or storm damage is looked at: we simply plan the journey and access ahead. It’s useful to know where the water appears, in what weather, and what you’ve seen outside, along with any repairs done before. Photos of the stain and of the roof from outside are helpful too.
After the visit, you get a photo-illustrated written report, sent by email. It sets out the condition of the leaking roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Place
- Balcombe Lane (RH17)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How we price roof leak investigations
Not every roof costs the same to survey, for these reasons:
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Roof area
Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, including VAT.
What to tell us when you contact us
What helps most when you contact us:
- Any deadline, like an exchange date
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- What’s prompted the survey
- The address and postcode of the property
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Common roof problems in Balcombe Lane
Some water in the loft isn’t rain at all. Moist air from bathrooms and kitchens condenses on the cold underside of the roof, particularly in lofts with blocked eaves. Drips from nails and damp underlay are typical signs.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Leaks below a flat extension roof
- Leaks at a dormer or roof window
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Condensation that looks like a leak
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Balcombe CofE Controlled Primary School, water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Are they insured for the work?
- Is VAT included in the price?
- What experience they bring
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
Landlord and commercial surveys in Balcombe Lane
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in. We survey seven days a week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Larger roofs take longer, so they’re priced to suit.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
FAQs for Balcombe Lane
How do I find out if my home in Balcombe Lane is listed?
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 Balcombe Lane within the area you cover?
Yes, Balcombe Lane is covered. Our area covers London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
What insurance do you have?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability.
Is there anything I need to do ahead of the visit?
Note when the leak appears and what the weather was doing, and take photos. Clear access to the loft. Keep away from any light or socket that water is reaching.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tell us which days suit you when you book.
What’s in the survey report?
A report with photographs, covering the condition of the leaking roof, the defects we found and what we recommend, by urgency where it matters. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check; Premium adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies and structural analysis.
Do you use thermal imaging to find leaks?
Where conditions suit, it can. It works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof surface and little wind. Wet insulation holds heat longer than dry, which can show up on the image. We always check what it shows with moisture readings.
What we do, step by step
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Somewhere like Balcombe Lane needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- You let us know where the water appears, when, and what the weather was doing.
- We examine the damp area and the rooms near it.
- In the loft, we follow any signs of water back towards the roof.
- We inspect the likely entry points outside, from the ground, windows and the roof where safe.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Tell us where we can park nearby
Arrange a survey
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.
Advice
How the survey changes by roof type
Parapet and box gutters
A butterfly roof drains to a central valley gutter. Problems there frequently show in the rooms on the top floor.
Chimney stacks
A stack has several possible ways in for rain. We check each one as far as we can safely see.