West Sussex · London and the South East
Elsted Roof Leak Investigation
Roof leak investigations around Elsted, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Damp patches next to the stack
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Condensation that looks like a leak
How a roof leak investigation works in Elsted
We investigate roof leaks in Elsted and across London and the South East. We visit seven days a week. We look inside and out, at flashings, valleys, chimneys, gutters and flat roof details. The findings come in a written report with photos. If water is coming in now, catch it in a bucket and keep it away from lights and sockets, then ring 07833 053749 or email us. Typical surveys look at wet patches on loft insulation and damp underlay across a wide area, on chimney stacks, the roof space and rooflights and dormers.
In a village or hamlet like Elsted, older cottages and farmhouses frequently have roofs that have been patched over many years. A new leak may be fresh damage or the latest sign of long-term wear, and the difference matters, especially to an insurer. 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.
Where we can’t see part of the leaking roof, the report says so. That way, it is clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Where
- Elsted (GU29)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings
Wherever a roof meets a wall or stack, a flashing keeps rain out. Lifted, split or slipped lead is a common cause, and for flashings that have been patched with bitumen.
Flat roof upstands and outlets
The upturned edge of a flat roof covering keeps water out at walls. A low or cracked upstand is a common way in.
What you can safely check yourself
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Elsted
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the freeholder or managing agent. Mention it when you get in touch and we will plan the survey around it.
The survey, step by step
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the loft space if there is safe access. All told, expect roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. In a small place like Elsted, access is typically the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We start with your notes and photos of the leak.
- Inside, we check the stain and the ceiling around it.
- From the roof space, we trace the water’s route where there’s safe access.
- We inspect the likely entry points outside, from ground level, windows and the roof where safe.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
Before the survey
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Keep pets in another room
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Getting a price
Not sure which survey you need? It’s easiest to call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Advice
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Record whether it leaks in every downpour or only some
- Do not climb onto the roof to look
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Photograph the stain each time it appears
Where we find more than one possible route, we say which is most likely and why. We say which items need prompt attention.
Plan a roof survey every few years. They’re where most leaks start, and catching wear early keeps water out.
Towns and villages near Elsted
Other services in Elsted
Your questions about roof leak investigations in Elsted
Do you carry out roof surveys in Elsted?
Yes, Elsted is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Elsted as anywhere else.
Will you come out to Elsted?
Yes, Elsted is covered. We work right across London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
What does the report include?
A written report with photos, explaining the condition of the leaking roof, any defects and our recommendations. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check; Premium adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies and structural analysis.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, so it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
How do I book a survey in Elsted?
The quickest way is to phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. Tell us the address and a little about the roof, and we will point you to the right survey. Surveys run seven days a week.
Will you fix the leak as part of this?
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.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If there’s a loft and safe access to it, yes. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that cannot be seen from outside.
When to book a survey in Elsted
A gutter that overflows can soak a wall and mark the ceiling inside. Hidden gutters behind parapets cause the most trouble, because when they block, water backs up and runs inside.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Condensation that looks like a leak
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
- Damp patches next to the stack
The streets around a church such as The Parish Church of St Paul are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, lead flashings, valleys and old chimneys are typical places for water to get in.
Questions to ask before you book
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- What happens after the report arrives
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Elsted
Historic houses like Uppark, about 2.7 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Elsted goes. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it’s detailed.
Elsted is about 5 miles south-east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. We visit Elsted as part of our work across West Sussex, for homes and businesses alike. Across West Sussex, we cover Elsted. Portsmouth is in our area too.
Postcode districts we cover here for roof leak investigations: GU29. Close by, we survey roofs in East Harting (1 mile west), Elsted Marsh (1 mile north-east), Didling (1 mile south-east), Nyewood (2 miles north-west) and Dumpford (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (14 miles south-east), Chichester (9 miles south), Emsworth (9 miles south-west), Portfield (10 miles south), Yapton (14 miles south-east) and East Wittering (14 miles south).
Around Elsted
Around Elsted, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Three Horseshoes Public House and the streets around them. Other landmarks nearby include Midhurst Community Hospital (4.7 miles east). Open spaces near Elsted include Iping and Stedham Commons and Oakham Hill.