Roof leak investigation in Binsted, West Sussex

Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Binsted

The aim is to find where the water is getting in and explain it. You get a written report with photos showing the likely entry point and the route the water is taking, and recommends what should be done. It gives any roofer a clear brief. The investigation finds and explains the cause, and the repair itself is a separate job. We survey chimney stacks, rooflights and dormers and flat roof details, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are water that shows only in certain storms and damp patches next to the stack.

Somewhere as small as Binsted, older roofs have often been repaired many times. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, which matters if you are thinking of an insurance claim. The report says what was seen and what it points to. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it’s worth finding the cause soon.

Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.

How the survey works

We look at the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the loft space too. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging, as far as the space allows. All in, the survey typically takes between one and two hours for most houses, and longer for a large or complex roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Binsted often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely, and anything we cannot see is noted.

1. You tell us where the water shows and when it appears.
2. We check the stain, the ceiling and the loft above it.
3. We check the likely entry points outside, such as flashings, valleys, chimneys and gutters.
4. Where it helps, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
5. Your report sets out where the water is most likely getting in, with photos and recommendations.

Before we arrive

• Note where any stains or damp appear
• For a flat or shared roof, check access with the freeholder or managing agent
• Jot down any questions you want answered

Getting a price

To book a survey, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price before booking.

Book a survey

Advice

• Chimney Stack Defects: Flaunching, Pots, Leans

When you need someone else

Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Keep these in mind:

• Leaks from plumbing, tanks or pipework rather than the roof
• Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
• An intermittent leak that shows no trace on the day

If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will recommend the right survey. What a survey covers and does not.

Roof types and parts we check

• Lead flashings
• The roof space
• Chimney stacks
• Flat roof details
• Valleys and parapet gutters
• Rooflights and dormers
• Slate and tile slopes

Useful tips for Binsted property owners

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

• Photograph the stain each time it appears
• Do not touch fittings that water is reaching
• Tell us about any past repairs to the roof
• Let us know if there are tanks or pipes in the loft

Your report arrives by email. It sets out where we believe the water is getting in, how it is travelling and what needs attention. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.

Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, particularly in autumn. Many leaks start with a blocked outlet. Leave the clearing to someone with the right equipment.