East Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Chailey
Need a roof leak investigation in Chailey? We can help, with a written report you can act on. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Condensation that looks like a leak
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
Roof leak investigations around Chailey
Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. 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. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings. If your 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, so the council is the place to ask.
Landlords with a home close to Plumpton station may find that finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused. If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of St Peter, leaks on older roofs often start at lead flashings, valleys or around old chimney stacks.
Chailey is about 5 miles south-east of Haywards Heath, in East Sussex. From houses to flats and shops in Chailey, we can survey the roof. Chailey is one of the towns and villages in East Sussex we cover for roof leak investigations. Brighton is in our area too.
We work across the BN8 postcode area for roof leak investigations. If you’re just outside Chailey, we cover North Chailey (1 mile north), South Street (1 mile south-west), Newick (1 mile north-east), Founthill (1 mile east) and South Chailey (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Seaford (14 miles south), Lewes (6 miles south), Hailsham (13 miles south-east), Crowborough (10 miles north-east), Uckfield (5 miles east) and Newhaven (12 miles south).
What’s near Chailey
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Chailey School, The Five Bells Inn and Chailey Heritage School and the streets around them. The closest station to Chailey is Plumpton station, about 3.1 miles south-west. A little further out are Princess Royal Hospital (4.1 miles north-west). For a walk, there’s Blackcap and Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve.
About our roof leak investigation in Chailey
Some leaks only appear in certain weather. Wind-driven rain, an overflowing gutter or snow melt may be what triggers it. Telling us when it happens helps a lot, along with any photos you’ve taken. We look for the clues it leaves behind, such as tide marks, stained timbers and damp underlay. Moisture readings show where materials are still wet. If you’re worried about a leak that comes and goes with the weather and staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on slate and tile slopes, the roof space and flat roof details alike.
In a village or hamlet like Chailey, older cottages and farmhouses often have roofs that have been patched over many years. A new leak may be fresh damage or the latest sign of long-term wear, and the difference matters, particularly to an insurer. We check whatever is safely visible and set out what we find. Damp in old walls and timbers is slow to dry, so the sooner the cause is found the better.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Chailey (BN8)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Before and after the survey
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Have an electrician check any wet fittings
- Mention earlier attempts to fix the leak
- Take dated photos of the leak
- Let us know if there are tanks or pipes in the loft
If the leak turns out to be condensation, the report says so, with recommendations on ventilation. That avoids roof work that wouldn’t help.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, especially in autumn. Blocked outlets on parapet and flat roofs cause many leaks. Leave the clearing to someone with the right equipment.
How the survey works
Photographs are taken throughout the visit, so you can see in the report what we found and where. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it’s applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes an hour or two at most homes, and more on a big or complicated roof. Somewhere like Chailey needs a little journey planning: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there’s safe access and from the roof where it is safe.
- You get in touch with details of the leak and any photos.
- We look at the stain, the ceiling and the loft above it.
- We check the likely entry points outside, such as flashings, valleys, chimneys and gutters.
- We use moisture detection, and thermal imaging where it’s useful.
- We email a report with photographs, the likely entry point and recommendations.
How to prepare
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Keep pets in another room
How to book
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and give us some details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Advice
What happens if roof problems are left?
Guesswork repairs are a common reason leaks keep coming back. Because water travels, the real entry point may be somewhere else. We find the probable source before anyone starts work. Outbuildings and barns around Chailey are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. It’s worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before booking.
Why us?
- Photos and a written report every time
- 98% of customers satisfied
- An independent look at the roof
- Surveys seven days a week
See what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
Common questions in Chailey
Do you carry out roof surveys in Chailey?
Yes, Chailey is within the area we cover. Our area covers London and the South East. You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and some details.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Chailey?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Why isn’t the leak directly above the stain?
Water follows the easiest path, not the shortest. On a pitched roof it frequently runs down a rafter before it shows. Tracing that path is the heart of a leak investigation.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
How many surveys have you done?
We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys, over more than 20 years, with 98% customer satisfaction.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Our Basic Survey starts from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all with VAT included.
Can a leak be traced on a dry day?
In most cases, yes. Damp materials can be found without rain. For leaks that only happen in certain storms, we report the most likely routes.
What affects the cost of roof leak investigations
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- The shape of the roof and its details
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
All our prices include VAT. Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for your roof before booking.
What to let us know when you contact us
These details help when you contact us:
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- When you need the report by
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
We confirm the price for the job before you book, so you know the cost up front. Prices start from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Signs you need a roof leak investigation in Chailey
Condensation is often mistaken for a leak. Moist air from bathrooms and kitchens condenses on the cold underside of the roof, particularly where ventilation is poor. Wet nail tips and damp underlay over a wide area are classic signs.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
Take a building like Chailey St Peter's Church of England Primary School: a leak through a large roof is often found some distance from where the water shows inside.
Before booking anyone
- When you will get the report
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- What the survey won’t cover
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
For landlords and managing agents
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.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, from shops and offices to industrial units. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.