West Sussex · London and the South East
Botolphs Roof Leak Investigation
Roof leak investigations around Botolphs, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
Roof leak investigation in Botolphs: what you get
On older houses, leaks often start at lead work and hidden gutters. Lead flashings crack or lift, valley linings wear and parapet gutters overflow when outlets block. If your home has a butterfly roof, the central valley gutter is a common culprit. Parapet walls and their gutters are checked from wherever it is safe. The findings are recorded with photos. Typical surveys look at wet patches on loft insulation and condensation that looks like a leak, on lead flashings, flat roof details and slate and tile slopes.
Being in a small place like Botolphs makes no difference to how a leak or storm damage is looked at: the journey and access are just planned ahead of time. It helps to know where the water appears, in what weather, and what you’ve seen outside, along with any repairs done before. If you have photos of the water coming in, they help as well.
You receive the findings by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Where
- Botolphs (BN44)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
DIY checks: what’s safe
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.
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
How we price roof leak investigations
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- How big the roof is
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
For a price for your roof in Botolphs, call 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What to let us know when you contact us
Getting the details right at the start saves time. Please include:
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- The property’s address and postcode
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
What happens on the day
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. A typical visit takes about 1–2 hours at most homes, or half a day or so for a commercial building. Rural addresses near Botolphs can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- The investigation works from the stain back to the roof.
- Where it’s useful and included, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- You get photos, the likely cause and clear recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
Arrange a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work around your tenants.
Questions from Botolphs
Is the coastal weather around Botolphs hard on roofs?
Often, yes. Botolphs is within about 4 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
How do I find out if my home in Botolphs is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Why is the stain in a different place from the leak?
Because water travels. It can follow a timber or the underlay a long way first, so the stain may be some distance from where it gets in. We follow the route back instead of guessing.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Do you cover Botolphs?
Yes. We survey roofs in Botolphs and the rest of West Sussex, as part of our work across London and South East England. For a price, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
That depends on the survey. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access; we will agree the details as you book.
What’s the best way to book?
Just phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address. We will ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date.
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Botolphs
Botolphs is within about 4 miles of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. In a coastal gale, rain is driven sideways into laps, verges and flashings, and salt air slowly wears metal fixings. Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in.
Hotels and guest houses near Botolphs can’t easily close rooms for a leak, so it is worth knowing the roof’s condition. If you live in an older home near St Botolph's Church, leaks on older roofs often start at lead flashings, valleys or around old chimney stacks.
Botolphs is about 3 miles north-west of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. We carry out roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Botolphs and the surrounding area. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Brighton.
Roof leak investigations in BN44 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Neighbouring places we cover for roof leak investigations include Upper Beeding (1 mile north-east), Bramber (1 mile north), Steyning (1 mile north-west), Sompting (3 miles south-west) and Lancing (3 miles south). Larger places within reach include Horsham (13 miles north), Worthing (5 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (13 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles north-east), Littlehampton (11 miles south-west) and Shoreham-by-Sea (3 miles south-east).
Around Botolphs
We work in homes and buildings around Steyning Grammar School. The nearest railway station is Shoreham-By-Sea station, about 3.2 miles south-east. A little further out are Steyning Museum (1.3 miles north-west) and Old Castle (4.9 miles south-west). Not far away are Steep Down and Mill Hill.
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Some pointers:
- Keep water away from lights and sockets
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Put a bucket under the drip and move valuables
- Tell us about any past repairs to the roof
Standard includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, while Premium includes one in person. It’s a chance to ask about anything in the report.
Do not block the vents at the eaves. Good airflow reduces condensation, and condensation is a common false alarm. Keep insulation clear of the eaves.
Signs you need a roof leak investigation in Botolphs
Many leaks begin at a flashing. Lead or mortar closes the gap wherever a roof meets a wall, chimney or dormer. Once that seal cracks or lifts, water gets behind it.
Most people get in touch after spotting something like this:
- Stains around a skylight
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Water that shows only in certain storms
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
Portslade Manor lies about 4.6 miles south-east, so building around Botolphs goes back a long way. Older roofs around here can leak at old repairs as readily as at original details.
What to check before booking
- Will the report include photos?
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?