East Sussex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in East Dean, East Sussex
Tracing where water is getting into your roof in East Dean, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Condensation that looks like a leak
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
How a roof leak investigation works in East Dean
Some leaks only appear in certain weather. Driving rain from one direction, melting snow or a gutter that overflows in a downpour can all set it off. Notes on when it leaks, and what the weather was doing, help us and so do photos. We look for the clues it leaves behind, like tide marks, stained timbers and damp underlay. Moisture readings show where materials are still wet. Common reasons to book are damp on a chimney breast and water dripping from rafters or underlay, across lead flashings, flat roof details and valleys and parapet gutters.
Somewhere as small as East Dean, older roofs have frequently been repaired many times. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, which matters if you’re thinking of an insurance claim. The report says what was seen and what it points to. 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, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Place
- East Dean (BN20)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Your questions about roof leak investigations in East Dean
How do I find out if my home in East Dean 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.
Is the coastal weather around East Dean hard on roofs?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, while strong wind lifts anything already loose.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. Photographs are taken throughout the survey, and they go into the written report alongside our recommendations.
What’s in the survey report?
You get our findings in writing, part by part, with photos, and ends with what we recommend. Points are put in order of urgency where relevant.
Why is not the leak directly above the stain?
Rain that gets in will run along whatever it lands on. On a flat roof it can travel under the covering before it shows. Following that route is what our investigation does.
Will you definitely find the leak?
Not every leak can be pinned down in a single visit. Most leave clues we can follow, but some only appear in certain weather. The report sets out what we found and the most likely routes.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We’re roof surveyors, not structural engineers, and it does not include calculations. We will recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
How we price roof leak investigations
We confirm the exact price before you book. This is what makes a difference:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Roof area
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for your survey before booking.
What to let us know when you contact us
When you call or email, these details help:
- Dates you are working to, such as exchange
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- The address and postcode of the property
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
Getting a price is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or email us, tell us about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Guesswork repairs are a common reason leaks keep coming back. 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 East Dean, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
What you get with us
- Over 20 years’ experience
- An independent look at the roof
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Surveys on weekdays and at weekends
Read what a roof survey costs and what we found on two real jobs.
How it works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes about one to two hours at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Around East Dean, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it’s safe.
- You let us know where the water shows and when it appears.
- Inside, we check the damp area and the roof space above it.
- Outside, we check every likely route in.
- Moisture readings and thermal imaging are used where they help.
- You receive a written report with photos showing the likely source and what needs attention.
Preparing for the visit
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Book a survey
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price before booking.
Related advice
What a roof leak investigation looks like in East Dean
East Dean lies within about 1 mile of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. In a coastal gale, rain is driven sideways into laps, verges and flashings, and salt air slowly wears metal fixings. 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, alongside oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in.
Alfriston Clergy House lies about 3.9 miles north-west, so building around East Dean goes back a long way. Older roofs in the area may have lead flashings, valleys and gutters that have been patched many times. For an older house near a landmark such as The Parish Church of St Simon and St Jude, lead flashings, valleys and old chimneys are typical places for water to get in.
East Dean is about 4 miles south-west of Eastbourne, in East Sussex. We carry out roof leak investigations for homeowners, landlords and businesses in East Dean and the surrounding area. Our area takes in places right across East Sussex, large and small. Our Brighton page covers surveys nearby.
Here we cover the BN20 postcode area for roof leak investigations. If you need a roof leak investigation at a property on Lower Street, Went Way and Gilberts Drive or anywhere close by, we can help. We also cover Friston (1 mile north-east), Birling Gap (1 mile south), Jevington (2 miles north), Meads (3 miles east) and Old Town (3 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Eastbourne (4 miles north-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (13 miles north-east), Seaford (4 miles west), Lewes (12 miles north-west), Hailsham (8 miles north) and Uckfield (15 miles north).
What’s near East Dean
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Tiger Inn. The closest station to East Dean is Eastbourne station, roughly 3.4 miles east. Well-known places in the area include Filching Manor And Motor Museum (3.3 miles north) and Eastbourne District General Hospital (3.3 miles north-east). For a walk, there is Combe Hill.
Nearby places to East Dean
More services for East Dean
What a roof leak investigation does not cover
Before you book, it’s worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- An intermittent leak that shows no trace on the day
- Carrying out the fix
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roof types and parts we check
- Rooflights and dormers
- Slate and tile slopes
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roof details
- The roof space
Common roof problems in East Dean
Flashings are one of the commonest sources of roof leaks. Where a roof meets a chimney, a wall or a dormer, lead or mortar seals the joint. Once that seal cracks or lifts, water gets behind it.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed something like this:
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Staining around the chimney inside
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- Wet patches on loft insulation
If you let a flat or house near Eastbourne station, tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it.
What to check before booking
- Whether VAT is added on top
- How long the report takes to arrive
- What the survey won’t cover
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
For landlords and managing agents
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Let us know about it when booking and we will plan the visit with that in mind.
Letting agents frequently book on a landlord’s behalf, and the report can go to both. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.