West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Colgate, West Sussex
Find out the condition of the leaking roof at your property in Colgate from an independent roof surveyor. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Stains around a skylight
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
Roof leak investigation in Colgate: what you get
A leak that comes and goes can be the hardest to pin down. Wind-driven rain, an overflowing gutter or snow melt may be what triggers it. Notes on when it leaks, and what the weather was doing, help us and so do photos. 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. Typical surveys look at ceiling stains that grow after rain and wet patches high on an inside wall, on chimney stacks, valleys and parapet gutters and rooflights and dormers.
Somewhere as small as Colgate, older roofs have often been repaired many times. A new leak may be fresh damage or the latest sign of long-term wear, and the difference matters, especially to an insurer. The report says what was seen and what it points to. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it is worth finding the cause soon.
You receive the findings by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Where
- Colgate (RH13, RH12)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. The inspection then takes between one and two hours at most homes, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Colgate often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- We start with your notes and photos of the leak.
- Inside, we check the stain and the ceiling around it.
- From the loft space, we trace the water’s route where there’s safe access.
- 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.
Getting ready for the survey
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Getting a price
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Colgate
Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from. Historic houses like Tyes Place, about 4.5 miles south-east, show how far back building in the area around Colgate goes. If your house is among the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
Trees in and around Target Hill Park shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters, and blocked gutters overflow and soak walls. For an older house near a landmark such as St. Saviour's Church, leaks on older roofs often start at lead flashings, valleys or around old chimney stacks. If you own a rental within reach of Faygate station, a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over.
Colgate is about 3 miles south-west of Crawley, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in Colgate and the rest of West Sussex. Our West Sussex coverage includes Colgate.
We survey roofs across RH13 and RH12 for roof leak investigations and the streets around it. We offer roof leak investigations to properties on Forest Road, Vicarage Close and Blackhouse Road. Neighbouring places we cover for roof leak investigations include Kilnwood Vale (1 mile north), Faygate (1 mile north-west), Broadfield (2 miles north-east), Roffey (2 miles west) and Handcross (3 miles south-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Crawley (3 miles north-east), Horsham (4 miles west), Haywards Heath (9 miles south-east), Burgess Hill (10 miles south-east), East Grinstead (11 miles east) and Storrington (14 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in Colgate
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Dragon pub, Target Hill Park and Cottesmore School. The nearest railway station is Faygate station, roughly 1.3 miles north-west. A little further out are Crawley Museum (3.4 miles north-east) and County Mall (3.4 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Tilgate Lake and Warnham LNR.
Tips from our surveys
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. Our suggestions:
- Have an electrician check any wet fittings
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Record whether it leaks in every downpour or only some
- Keep a photo record of the damp patch
If there are several possible sources, we list them in order of likelihood. We say which items need prompt attention, so you know what to deal with first.
Do not block the vents at the eaves. Good airflow reduces condensation, and condensation is a common false alarm. Check insulation does not block airflow at the eaves.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Water and electrics do not mix. If water is reaching a light fitting or switch, keep clear of it. Then the source needs tracing. Older cottages and farmhouses around Colgate can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 inc. VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you’d like to know.
What you get with us
- 98% of customers satisfied
- An independent view of the roof
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
Take a look at our cost guide and two real surveys.
How the survey changes by roof type
Parapet and box gutters
A butterfly roof drains to a central valley gutter. If that gutter or its outlet fails, water can come through the top-floor ceiling.
Lead flashings
Mortar fillets are sometimes used instead of lead. They crack as the roof and wall move, and water runs down behind them.
What affects the cost of roof leak investigations
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- House, block, shop or office
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
We offer three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
What to tell us when you contact us
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you get in touch, it helps to mention:
- The property’s address and postcode
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email when you’re ready.
Towns and villages near Colgate
Other services in Colgate
Common questions in Colgate
Is Colgate within the area you cover?
Yes, Colgate is covered. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
Do you cover Colgate?
Yes. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and Colgate is part of that. You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details.
How do you tell a leak from condensation?
The two can look alike. Widespread damp on the underside of the roof in cold weather, with blocked vents, suggests condensation. We check the pattern, take moisture readings and tell you which is more likely.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Will you fix the leak as part of this?
This service finds and reports the cause, not to carry out the repair. With the report, a roofer knows exactly where to look.
How long does a roof leak investigation take?
It typically takes between one and two hours on an ordinary house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Report times depend on the package.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
When you need someone else
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Keep these in mind:
- A structural engineer’s report
- What’s under the covering or behind the plaster
- Putting the leak right
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll tell you before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Rooflights and dormers
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks