West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Church Norton
Tracing where water is getting into your roof around Church Norton, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Damp underlay across a wide area
Leaks and storm damage in Church Norton
Church Norton is within about 1 mile of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Driving rain off the sea can be pushed into gaps that stay dry in calmer weather, and salt air slowly wears metal fixings. There are about 500,000 buildings on England’s list of listed buildings, and around 10,000 conservation areas. 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.
For an older house near a landmark such as St Wilfrid's Chapel, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself. Landlords with a home close to Bognor Regis station may find that a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer straight away.
Church Norton is about 1 mile north-east of Selsey, in West Sussex. If you are in Church Norton, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Across West Sussex, we cover Church Norton and the places around it. There is also a page for Portsmouth.
Here we cover the PO20 postcode area for roof leak investigations. We cover properties on Grange Lane and Rectory Lane and the roads around them. We also cover Selsey (1 mile south-west), Keynor Estate (2 miles north-west), Pagham (2 miles north-east), Sidlesham (2 miles north) and Nyetimber (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (5 miles north-east), Chichester (6 miles north), Littlehampton (11 miles east), Emsworth (10 miles north-west), Rustington (12 miles east) and Angmering (14 miles north-east).
What’s near Church Norton
Church Norton’s nearest station is Bognor Regis station, about 4.9 miles north-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Selsey Lifeboat Museum (1.5 miles south) and Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital (5.1 miles north-east).
Roof leak investigation in Church Norton: what you get
Our job is to find the likely source and tell you. The report shows, with photos, where we believe the water gets in and how it travels, plus recommendations on what needs attention. It gives any roofer a clear brief. The investigation finds and explains the cause, and the repair itself is a separate job. We survey flat roof details, chimney stacks and lead flashings, and common reasons people get in touch are leaks that appear only in driving rain and damp ceilings under a flat roof.
Many homes in small places like Church Norton face open ground, where storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hardest. Once water gets into older walls, it takes a long time to dry, which makes finding the cause quickly worthwhile. A record with photographs is useful if you need to show the damage to anyone else.
The report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Photographs show what each point refers to.
- Location
- Church Norton (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
There is not much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we’ll get on with the inspection. The survey itself takes about one to two hours at most homes, or half a day or so for a commercial building. In a small place like Church Norton, access is usually the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We start with what you’ve seen: where the stain is and when it gets worse.
- Inside, we check the damp area and the loft space above it.
- Likely entry points outside are looked at, from flashings and valleys to gutters and outlets.
- Where it helps, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- Your report sets out where the water is most likely getting in, with photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Getting a price
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there is time to use the report before exchange. For any other survey, just call 07833 053749 or send us an email when you are ready.
Related advice
Also near Church Norton
What else we do in Church Norton
Useful tips for Church Norton property owners
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Mention earlier attempts to fix the leak
- Put a bucket under the drip and move valuables
- Don’t climb onto the roof to look
Keep the report after the work is done. If water appears again, it shows what was found before, which makes the next step quicker.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, ideally once the leaves have fallen. Blocked outlets on parapet and flat roofs cause many leaks. Use a professional rather than climbing up yourself.
When to book a survey in Church Norton
When a slate slips or a tile cracks, the underlay takes the water. Old bitumen felt may cope for a while, but it tears and sags with age, while some very old roofs have nothing under the coverings. On slate roofs, slipping is often caused by corroded nails.
Look out for signs like these:
- Water that shows only in certain storms
- Brown rings on upstairs ceilings
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Damp underlay across a wide area
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as The Academy, tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back.
Before booking anyone
- Their report turnaround times
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Their track record with similar roofs
- What they will not be able to tell you
Landlords, agents and block managers in Church Norton
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the addresses.
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Church Norton. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
When you need someone else
It helps to know what a survey will not do before booking:
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- An intermittent leak that shows no trace on the day
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Rooflights and dormers
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
- Slate and tile slopes
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
DIY checks: what’s safe
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Common questions in Church Norton
Is the coastal weather around Church Norton hard on roofs?
Frequently, yes. Church Norton is within about 1 mile 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 Church Norton is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes. Photographs are taken throughout the survey, and the report uses them to show each finding alongside our recommendations.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning, with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we will explain what’s needed.
Do you use drones?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.
When does the report arrive?
It depends on the package: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. The report is emailed to you.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it is safe. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. We use safe viewpoints, the roof space and a drone where it applies, and the report records anything we couldn’t see.