West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Crabtree
Roof leak investigations around Crabtree, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Book a weekday or weekend visit.
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
- Wet patches on loft insulation
What we do, step by step
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. Then the inspection itself takes roughly 1–2 hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. Cottages and farmhouses around Crabtree frequently 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 can’t see is noted.
- We help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- We agree a date, including weekends.
- We inspect inside and out, starting from the stain.
- Moisture detection and thermal imaging are used where your package includes them and they help.
- The report explains the likely entry point and what needs attention.
Getting ready for the survey
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Getting a price
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Advice
Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Crabtree
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, and recommends what should be done. It gives any roofer a clear brief. We find and report the source, and the repair itself is a separate job. If you’ve noticed condensation that looks like a leak and wet patches on loft insulation, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Somewhere as small as Crabtree, older roofs have often been repaired many times. A new leak may be fresh damage or the latest sign of long-term wear, which matters if you’re thinking of an insurance claim. We check everything that’s safely in view 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.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Location
- Crabtree (RH13)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How we price roof leak investigations
Our packages start from £150, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Which survey package you book
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, including VAT.
Helping us price your survey
Here’s what helps us most when you contact us:
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- The property’s address and postcode
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A lot can be seen from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Honest limits
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
- An intermittent leak that shows no trace on the day
- Water from pipes, tanks or heating systems
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will recommend the right survey. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings
- The roof space
- Chimney stacks
- Slate and tile slopes
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roof details
- Rooflights and dormers
Towns and villages near Crabtree
Other services in Crabtree
What happens if roof problems are left?
A leak near lights or wiring needs attention quickly. If water is reaching a light fitting or switch, keep clear of it and have an electrician check it. Then the source needs tracing. For an older or listed building in a place like Crabtree, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how it can be reached and seen safely. Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT.
Why book with us
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- A written report with photos
- Surveys on weekdays and at weekends
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
Read what a roof survey costs and what we found on two real jobs.
Wind, rain and roofs in Crabtree
Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it is detailed. With Tyes Place about 4.3 miles north-east, Crabtree sits in an area with a long building history. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years.
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Old Church House the Glebe, old mortar, worn lead and slipped slates are the usual suspects when water gets in. Homes near green spaces such as Leonardslee can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching. If you let a flat or house near Horsham station, finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused.
Crabtree is about 5 miles south-east of Horsham, in West Sussex. Bookings from Crabtree are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex. We also survey roofs in Crawley.
Surveys in RH13 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Local streets include Mill Lane, Peppersgate and Long Hill, and we cover them all. If you’re just outside Crabtree, we cover Lower Beeding (1 mile north), Colwood (1 mile south-east), Monk's Gate (2 miles north-west), Plummers Plain (2 miles north-east) and Mannings Heath (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (7 miles north-east), Horsham (5 miles north-west), Worthing (14 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (7 miles east), Burgess Hill (7 miles south-east) and East Grinstead (13 miles north-east).
Landmarks near Crabtree
Around Crabtree, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Leonardslee and the streets around them. Crabtree’s nearest station is Horsham station, about 4.6 miles north-west. Well-known places in the area include Horsham Hospital (4.9 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Knepp Wildland.
Tips from our surveys
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Write down the wind direction and rain when it leaks
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Mention earlier attempts to fix the leak
- Keep a photo record of the damp patch
Standard includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, while Premium includes one in person. It is a chance to ask about anything in the report.
Check the loft after heavy rain, with care and a good torch. Look for drips, damp patches and stains on timbers. Take photos of anything that changes.
Crabtree: your questions answered
Do you cover smaller places like Crabtree?
Yes, Crabtree is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Crabtree?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. You will know the price for your survey before booking, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. For a price, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
How long does the visit take?
On site, it usually takes between one and two hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that in advance, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Is the repair included in the leak investigation?
A leak investigation finds and reports the likely source. The repair is not part of it. The report shows where the water gets in and what should be done.
Can you trace a leak in dry weather?
Normally, yes. Moisture detection shows where materials are damp even on a dry day. For leaks that only happen in certain storms, we report the most likely routes.