West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in East Dean, West Sussex
Roof leak investigations around East Dean, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
About our roof leak investigation in East Dean
On older houses, leaks often start at lead work and hidden gutters. Lead flashings crack or lift, valley linings wear and parapet gutters overflow when outlets block. If your home has a butterfly roof, the central valley gutter is a common culprit in heavy rain. We check parapets, valleys and flashings from each safe vantage point. The findings are recorded with photos. We survey the roof space, chimney stacks and valleys and parapet gutters, and people most often book us about staining around the chimney inside and drips from nail tips in a cold loft.
In a village or hamlet like East Dean, 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, which matters if you are 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.
We write the report in plain English, so you do not need to be a roofer to follow it. Each point is backed by a photograph where possible, and recommendations are put with the most urgent first where relevant.
- Location
- East Dean (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Older roofs in small places like East Dean can have low, tight loft spaces, so it helps to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- We agree a date, including weekends.
- The investigation works from the stain back to the roof.
- Where it is useful and included, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- The report explains the likely entry point and what needs attention.
Preparing for the visit
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
How to book
For a price for roof leak investigations in East Dean, ring 07833 053749 or email us. The address, the type of property and what you’d like to know help us give you an accurate price.
Read more
Also in East Dean
Common roof problems in East Dean
Blocked gutters can look like a roof leak. Hidden gutters behind parapets cause the most trouble, since a blocked outlet sends water over the lining and into the building.
Typical things we’re asked to look at include:
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
- Leaks below a flat extension roof
- Stains around a skylight
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near The Parish Church of All Saints, leaks on older roofs often start at lead flashings, valleys or around old chimney stacks.
Before you book anyone
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Their report turnaround times
How the survey changes by roof type
Valleys
Stains from a valley leak frequently show some distance off. We trace the route from the loft where there is safe access.
Slate and tile slopes
A gap in the coverings exposes the underlay. Older felt may hold for a while, but it tears with age.
When you need someone else
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Defects hidden under coverings or inside walls without opening up
- A structural engineer’s report
- A promise to find every leak on a single visit
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will point you to the right survey. What a survey covers and does not.
What we look at
- Chimney stacks
- Slate and tile slopes
- Lead flashings
- Rooflights and dormers
- The roof space
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Flat roof details
Leaks and storm damage in East Dean
With West Dean House about 2.6 miles west, East Dean sits in an area with a long building history. 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. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in.
East Dean is about 6 miles north-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. If you are in East Dean, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: a call or an email, a price, then a date. Our West Sussex coverage includes East Dean and the places around it. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
Surveys in PO18 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. That includes homes and businesses on Main Road, Chapel Row and Charlton Road. Other places close to East Dean include Charlton (1 mile west), Singleton (2 miles west), West Dean (3 miles west), Heyshott (3 miles north) and Cocking (3 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Worthing (15 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (8 miles south), Chichester (6 miles south-west), Selsey (13 miles south), Littlehampton (11 miles south-east) and Emsworth (10 miles south-west).
What’s near East Dean
Around East Dean, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Star And Garter Public House and the streets around them. Nearby you will also find Weald and Downland Gridshell (1.8 miles west) and Chichester Centre (5 miles south-west). The countryside around East Dean includes Graffham Common and Levin Down.
East Dean questions
Is East Dean in the area you cover?
Yes. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and East Dean is part of that. Just ring 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the property.
Is East Dean within the area you cover?
Yes, East Dean is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We point out what can be seen, such as sagging or deflection, but we are not structural engineers and don’t carry out calculations. If we think you need an engineer, the report says so.
How much does a roof leak investigation cost in East Dean?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on its size, height, access and the package, and it’s agreed before booking.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so we need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We survey seven days a week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Let us know which days suit you as you book.
Can I check my roof myself?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That’s where a survey comes in.
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when you book and it will help the survey.
Landlord and commercial surveys in East Dean
Landlords and agents in East Dean book surveys as well as homeowners. The report gives you a dated record of the leaking roof, with photographs.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed beforehand. Surveys run seven days a week, which can make access easier.