West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Earnley
Get a clear view of the leaking roof at a property in Earnley. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
- Damp underlay across a wide area
- Stains around a skylight
Earnley questions
How do I find out if my home in Earnley is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do you cover smaller places like Earnley?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Will you go up on the roof?
Not unless it is safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where it applies, a drone, and anything out of sight is recorded in the report.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
Will you definitely find the leak?
Not always, and we will be honest about that. Water can travel a long way, and some leaks only show in particular storms. Where the source is not certain, we list the likely routes in order.
What’s the best way to book?
Simply call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We’ll ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date.
What do I do with the report?
You will receive the report by email, and you decide the next step: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
Roof leak investigation in Earnley
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. Telling us when it happens helps a lot, along with any photos you’ve taken. We look for the clues it leaves behind, like tide marks, stained timbers and damp underlay. Moisture detection shows which materials are still damp. Common reasons to book are brown rings on upstairs ceilings and water coming in around a roof light or dormer, on lead flashings, the roof space and valleys and parapet gutters.
Somewhere as small as Earnley, 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 whatever is safely visible 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.
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.
- Location
- Earnley (PO20)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we are asked to look at in Earnley
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. Drips from nails and damp underlay are typical signs.
Problems we come across often include:
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
If you live in an older home near Earnley Church, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney.
Before you book anyone
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference. Some pointers:
- Write down the wind direction and rain when it leaks
- Put a bucket under the drip and move valuables
- Take dated photos of the leak
- Mention any plumbing above the damp area
We email the report to you. It explains the likely entry point, the route the water takes and our recommendations. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day.
Keep the roof space ventilated. Air movement keeps condensation down, which is frequently mistaken for a leak. Check insulation does not block airflow at the eaves.
Can I check my roof myself?
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
A lot can be seen from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
Leaks and storm damage in Earnley
Earnley lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Driving rain off the sea can be pushed into gaps that stay dry in calmer weather. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Different coverings let water in at different points, which shapes where the search starts.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as East Wittering Community Primary School, tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back.
Earnley is about 3 miles north-west of Selsey, in West Sussex. Wherever you are in Earnley, we can come and survey your property. Across West Sussex, we cover Earnley and the places around it. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
We cover every part of PO20 for roof leak investigations. Streets in the area include Earnley Manor Close, Bookers Lane and Drove Lane, all of which we cover. Other places close to Earnley include East Wittering (1 mile west), Almodington (1 mile north-east), Somerley (1 mile north), Shipton Green (2 miles north) and Birdham (2 miles north). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (7 miles east), Chichester (6 miles north-east), Selsey (3 miles south-east), Littlehampton (14 miles east), Emsworth (7 miles north-west) and Rustington (15 miles east).
Landmarks near Earnley
Nearby you will also find Selsey Lifeboat Museum (3.9 miles south-east). The countryside around Earnley includes Pilsey Island.
Why it is worth a survey now in Earnley
Patching the spot above the stain frequently doesn’t work. The real way in may be a metre or more away. We find the probable source before anyone starts work, so the repair is aimed at the right place. In a place like Earnley, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Earnley
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- 20+ years’ experience
- PI and public liability insurance
- Surveys seven days a week
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or two real surveys.
Also near Earnley
More services for Earnley
What affects the cost of roof leak investigations
To price your survey, we check:
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Getting in touch
A few details help us point you to the right survey and price. When you get in touch, it’s useful to mention:
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- The property’s address and postcode
For a price for roof leak investigations in Earnley, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Some details about the property and the roof help us give you an accurate price.
What we do, step by step
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes an hour or two for a house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. You’re welcome to ask questions while we are there. Older rural homes like those around Earnley can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- We help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We inspect inside and out, starting from the stain.
- 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
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
How to book
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or email us to find out.