West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Cross Gate, West Sussex
Wondering about the leaking roof at a property in Cross Gate? We carry out roof leak investigations in Cross Gate and across West Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Staining around the chimney inside
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
- Wet patches on loft insulation
What you can safely check yourself
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
How a roof leak investigation works in Cross Gate
Water is good at hiding where it gets in. It can run along a rafter, a batten or the underlay before it drips, so a ceiling stain is rarely directly below the cause. Our leak investigation traces it back, one likely route at a time. A repair aimed only at the stain can miss the cause entirely. Finding the route first lets the repair go where it is needed. If you are worried about damp on a chimney breast and condensation that looks like a leak, we can find out what’s behind it.
For a small place like Cross Gate, the inspection is the same as anywhere: the journey and access are just planned beforehand. It helps to know where the water appears, in what weather, and what you’ve seen outside, along with any repairs done before. If you have photos of the water coming in, they help as well.
If any part of the leaking roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Where
- Cross Gate (BN18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Before and after the survey
You don’t need to be a roofer to help. Here’s what helps most:
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Mention earlier attempts to fix the leak
- Write down the wind direction and rain when it leaks
- Keep a photo record of the damp patch
Your report arrives by email, with photographs of what we found. It sets out where we believe the water is getting in, how it’s travelling and what needs attention. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
After a storm, check the roof from the garden and the street. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles and debris on the ground are signs to act on. Prompt repairs stop gaps turning into leaks.
How it works
We photograph the roof as we go, so you can see in the report what we found and where. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it’s applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, or half a day or so for a commercial building. Somewhere as small as Cross Gate, access is frequently the only tricky part. 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 help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- The investigation works from the stain back to the roof.
- Where it is useful and included, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- You get photos, the likely cause and clear recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
Book a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? It’s easiest to phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Advice
Landlords, agents and block managers in Cross Gate
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out in order of urgency where relevant.
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.
When to book a survey in Cross Gate
Condensation is often mistaken for a leak. Moist air from bathrooms and kitchens condenses on the cold underside of the roof, particularly in lofts with blocked eaves. Drips from nails and damp underlay are typical signs.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
- Staining around the chimney inside
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
Homes near green spaces such as Parham Park can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- What the survey won’t cover
Cross Gate roofs and the weather
Historic houses like Parham House, about 1.1 miles east, show how far back building in the area around Cross Gate goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in.
Landlords with a home close to Amberley station may find that finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused. The streets around a church like The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney.
Cross Gate is about 7 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. We carry out roof leak investigations in Cross Gate for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings, with a written report and photographs every time. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Brighton is in our area too.
Roof leak investigations in BN18 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We also cover Rackham (1 mile east), Amberley (1 mile south-west), Bury (2 miles west), Coldwaltham (2 miles north-west) and Watersfield (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Horsham (14 miles north-east), Worthing (8 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (11 miles south-west), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (7 miles south) and Shoreham-by-Sea (12 miles south-east).
Landmarks near Cross Gate
In Cross Gate, that means homes and buildings near Parham Park. The closest station to Cross Gate is Amberley station, roughly 1.5 miles south-west of the centre. A little further out are Amberley Museum (1.4 miles south-west) and Amberley Castle (1 mile west). The countryside around Cross Gate includes Bignor Hill and Amberley Wild Brooks.
Common questions in Cross Gate
Do you cover Cross Gate?
Yes, Cross Gate is one of the places we work. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
How do I find out if my home in Cross Gate is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
How do you tell a leak from condensation?
Condensation can look very like a leak. 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.
Does the investigation include the repair?
Our job here is to trace the leak and explain it, not to carry out the repair. The report gives any roofer a clear brief.
Will you definitely find the leak?
We cannot promise it. Water can travel a long way, and some leaks only show in particular storms. If we can’t be sure, the report ranks the possible sources.
Is there anything I need to do before the visit?
Note when the leak appears and what the weather was doing, and take photos. Clear access to the loft. If water is near any fittings, have an electrician check them.
Does someone need to be in?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you as you book.
Also near Cross Gate
Also in Cross Gate
What we look for on each type of roof
Parapet and box gutters
Linings, joints and outlets are inspected wherever it is safe.
Lead flashings
Some roofs have mortar where you’d expect lead. Fillets crack and pull away over time, letting rain run behind the joint.