West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Ditchling
Roof leak investigations in Ditchling, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photographs.
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
About our roof leak investigation in Ditchling
The aim is to find where the water is getting in and explain it. 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. We find and report the source, and the repair itself is a separate job. We survey the roof space, chimney stacks and rooflights and dormers, and people most often book us about staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall and water marks that spread in wet weather.
In a village or hamlet like Ditchling, older cottages and farmhouses often have roofs that have been patched over many years. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, and the difference matters, particularly to an insurer. We look at 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.
What you get is a clear record of the leaking roof on the day we saw it. It’s useful right away, and a good reference for later.
- Where
- Ditchling (BN6)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Ditchling
In Sussex, older roofs are frequently 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. If your home is older, it is worth knowing whether it is listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas.
Landlords with a home close to Hassocks station may find that a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer straight away. For site and facilities teams at buildings like Ditchling (St Margaret's) Church of England Primary School, water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot.
Ditchling is about 3 miles south of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. Roofs in Ditchling get the same thorough look as anywhere else in West Sussex. Ditchling is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
All of BN6 is within our area for roof leak investigations, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you need a roof leak investigation at a property on High Street, The Twitten and Charlton Gardens or a nearby road, we can survey it. If you’re just outside Ditchling, we cover Keymer (1 mile west), Westmeston (1 mile south), Hassocks (1 mile west), Clayton (2 miles south-west) and Hurst Wickham (2 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (14 miles north), Horsham (13 miles north-west), Worthing (14 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (5 miles north), East Grinstead (15 miles north) and Shoreham-by-Sea (9 miles south-west).
What’s near Ditchling
We work in homes and buildings around Downlands Community School and The Bull Hotel, among other places. The nearest railway station is Hassocks station, about 1.4 miles west. Well-known places in the area include Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft (within half a mile west) and The Dene Hospital (3.8 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Ditchling Beacon and Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve.
What we’re asked to look at in Ditchling
Chimneys can let water in by several routes. Water can enter through crumbling mortar, cracked flaunching, worn flashings or uncapped pots. The damp may appear on a chimney breast, a ceiling or in the loft.
Common reasons to book include:
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
The streets around a church such as Ditchling Unitarian Chapel are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Will the report include photos?
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Which limits apply to the survey
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer.
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed in advance. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends, which helps when tenants work during the week.
Nearby places to Ditchling
Also in Ditchling
Common questions in Ditchling
Do you carry out roof surveys in Ditchling?
Yes, Ditchling is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Ditchling as anywhere else.
Is my home in Ditchling listed or in a conservation area?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only when it’s safe. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where applicable let us see the rest.
How experienced are you?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have completed over 5,000 surveys.
Can you find a leak when it is not raining?
In most cases, 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.
Does the report include photographs?
Yes. Photographs are part of every report, so you can see exactly what each finding refers to.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Where it’s applicable and safe, yes. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. It is included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where applicable, the Premium Survey.
What affects the cost of roof leak investigations
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. That comes down to:
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- The size of the roof
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Booking your survey
Some details help us suggest the right survey and price. When you contact us, it’s useful to mention:
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- What kind of property and roof it is
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
What we do, step by step
You do not need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes an hour or two at most homes; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. In a small place like Ditchling, access is normally 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 your notes and photos of the leak.
- We examine the damp area and the rooms near it.
- In the loft, we follow any signs of water back towards the roof.
- Outside, we check flashings, valleys, chimneys, gutters and flat roof details from each safe vantage point.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Arrange a survey
You can call us seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Advice
Tips that help
Small things make a difference. Our tips:
- Have an electrician check any wet fittings
- Mention earlier attempts to fix the leak
- Leave roof access to professionals
- Photograph the stain each time it appears
Any roofer you ask to quote can work from the report. They’ll see exactly where the problem is, rather than at the stain.
After a downpour, look in the loft space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Look for drips, damp patches and stains on timbers. Take photos of anything that changes.
Why get it checked now?
Water damage grows the longer it is left. Damp spreads into rafters, ceilings and insulation. Tracing it now means less to put right later. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
For a price for your roof in Ditchling, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the roof. We will confirm the figure before booking.
Why book with us
- 98% of clients satisfied
- An independent look at the roof
- Packages from £150, including VAT
- 20+ years’ experience
Take a look at our cost guide or two real surveys.