West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Crawley Down
Not sure what state the leaking roof is in? We carry out roof leak investigations in Crawley Down and across West Sussex.
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Water that shows only in certain storms
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
About our roof leak investigation in Crawley Down
Water is good at hiding where it gets in. Water frequently travels along timbers or underlay before it finds a way down, so a ceiling stain is rarely directly below the cause. We follow it back towards where it starts, one likely route at a time. Patching the spot above the stain often misses the real cause. Finding the route first lets the repair go where it’s needed. If you’ve noticed damp ceilings under a flat roof and staining around the chimney inside, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Houses in smaller places like Crawley Down can stand more in the open, so wind and driving rain find any weakness in ridges, verges and flashings. A leak that only appears in certain weather frequently points to an exposed detail. It helps to know when and where the water appears. Gutters and downpipes on the exposed side are worth a look as well.
If any part of the leaking roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it is clear what was covered and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Location
- Crawley Down (RH10)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What affects the price in Crawley Down
We confirm the price for the job before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- How big the roof is
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package matters as well. We will give you the figure before anything is booked.
What we need to know
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or email us. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.
Useful tips for Crawley Down property owners
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. A few suggestions:
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Mention earlier attempts to fix the leak
- Photograph the stain each time it appears
If the leak turns out to be condensation, the report says so, and suggest how the roof space could be better ventilated. It saves chasing a leak that is not there.
After a downpour, look in the roof space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Watch for water marks, wet underlay and damp wood. Take photos of anything that changes.
What we’re asked to look at in Crawley Down
Some water in the loft isn’t rain at all. Moist air from bathrooms and kitchens condenses on the cold underside of the roof, especially where ventilation is poor. Wet nail tips and damp underlay over a wide area are classic signs.
Look out for signs like these:
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
- Stains around a skylight
- Staining around the chimney inside
Take an older house close to All Saints Parish Church: leaks on older roofs often start at lead flashings, valleys or around old chimney stacks.
Questions to ask before you book
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Which limits apply to the survey
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
What we look for on each type of roof
Valleys
A valley leak can appear well away from the valley inside. From inside the loft space, we follow the water’s route back.
Lead flashings
Water from a failed flashing can travel down the wall or along a rafter. We check every flashing that could feed the stain.
Roof leak investigations around Crawley Down
In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in. The wider area around Crawley Down has a long history of building, with Saint Hill Manor about 2.4 miles south-east. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
Landlords with a home close to East Grinstead station may find that tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it.
Crawley Down is about 3 miles west of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. In Crawley Down, as across West Sussex, every roof gets the same careful survey. Across West Sussex, we cover Crawley Down and the places around it.
All of RH10 is covered for roof leak investigations, from the main roads to the quietest streets. You’ll find streets such as Station Road, Forest Close and Burleigh Way, all of which we cover. We also cover the places around Crawley Down: Furnace Wood (1 mile north), Snow Hill (1 mile north), Turners Hill (1 mile south), Domewood (1 mile north) and Felbridge (2 miles north-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Crawley (5 miles west), Horsham (11 miles west), Haywards Heath (9 miles south), Burgess Hill (12 miles south), East Grinstead (3 miles east) and Broadfield (6 miles west).
Local landmarks in Crawley Down
Typical jobs here are in homes near Imberhorne School, among other places. For rail, the closest station is East Grinstead station, roughly 2.5 miles east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Queen Victoria Hospital (3.5 miles east) and Effingham Park Motor Museum (1.4 miles north-west). The countryside around Crawley Down includes Hedgecourt Lake.
Crawley Down: your questions answered
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Crawley Down?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a 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.
Will you come out to Crawley Down?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
How long will you be at the property?
Allow between one and two hours on an ordinary house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. We’ll give you an idea of timing as you book.
What happens next?
We email you the written report with photos and recommendations. It is yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. To arrange a date, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Can you find a leak when it is not raining?
Usually, yes. Damp materials can be found without rain. If a leak only appears in driving rain from one direction, we’ll tell you what we found and what’s most likely.
How much does a roof leak investigation cost in Crawley Down?
Roof leak investigation starts 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.
The survey, step by step
When we arrive, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you need to know. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, from the ground, from windows, in the loft space and by drone where it applies. The survey typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses, and longer for a large or complex roof. Parking around Crawley Down is normally easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from the ground, with the loft showing the underside.
- We start with what you’ve seen: where the stain is and when it gets worse.
- We check the stain, the ceiling and the loft above it.
- Outside, we check every likely route in.
- Moisture readings and thermal imaging are used where they help.
- Your report sets out where the water is most likely getting in, with photos and recommendations.
Before the survey
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the freeholder or managing agent
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
Booking a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we will ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Advice
What you can safely check yourself
A lot can be seen from ground level. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.