Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Falmer, Brighton and Hove
Know where you stand with the leaking roof before you decide what to do next. Roof leak investigations in Falmer.
- Water that shows only in certain storms
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
What we’re asked to look at in Falmer
Valleys carry a lot of water. Split linings, slipped valley tiles or debris can push water under the slates or tiles. The stain may appear well away from the valley itself.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Staining around the chimney inside
- Stains around a skylight
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
For landlords with property near Falmer station, tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it.
What to check before booking
- Their report turnaround times
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in Falmer
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. Parapet walls and their gutters are checked from wherever it is safe. Our report shows what we found, with photos. We survey slate and tile slopes, flat roof details and lead flashings, and common reasons people get in touch are damp ceilings under a flat roof and water marks that spread in wet weather.
In a village or hamlet like Falmer, older cottages and farmhouses often 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, particularly to an insurer. The report says what was seen and what it points to. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it is worth finding the cause soon.
The written findings come 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.
- Where
- Falmer (BN1)
- Wider area
- Brighton and Hove
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What you can safely check yourself
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
Wind, rain and roofs in Falmer
Falmer lies within about 4 miles of the sea, so there is more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Strong wind lifts anything already loose, and driving rain gets in wherever it can, and salt air slowly wears metal fixings. With Preston Manor & Gardens about 3.5 miles south-west, Falmer sits in an area with a long building history. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Homes near green spaces such as Stanmer Park can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall. Anyone responsible for a site like Brighton Aldridge Community Academy will know that water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot.
Falmer is about 3 miles north-east of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. We visit Falmer as part of our work across Brighton and Hove, for homes and businesses alike. We cover towns and villages across Brighton and Hove.
Here we cover the BN1 postcode area for roof leak investigations. That includes homes and businesses on Middle Street, Park Street and Mill Street. Nearby, we also carry out roof leak investigations in Kingston near Lewes (2 miles east), Iford (3 miles east), Ovingdean (3 miles south), Rottingdean (3 miles south) and Roedean (3 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Brighton (3 miles south-west), Brighton and Hove (5 miles west), Hove (5 miles south-west), Carlton Hill (4 miles south-west), Hanover (3 miles south-west) and West Hill (4 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Falmer
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Swan Inn, University of Sussex Library and Stanmer Park and the streets around them. There’s a railway station in Falmer itself: Falmer station. Nearby you’ll also find Brighton And Hove Albion Football Club Museum (within half a mile south-west) and Lewes Castle (3.8 miles east). For a walk, there’s Bevendean Down and Newmarket Hill.
What we do, step by step
When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that is worrying you. We then inspect everything that can be seen safely, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where applicable. Most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. Older rural homes like those around Falmer can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- 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.
- We inspect the likely entry points outside, from the ground, windows and the roof where safe.
- You receive a report with the likely source, photos and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Booking a survey
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can call 07833 053749 or email us to find out.
Advice
Different roofs, different checks
Parapet and box gutters
Parapet and box gutters sit behind walls or inside the roof. When their outlets block, water rises over the lining and runs indoors.
Flat roof upstands and outlets
Each flat roof relies on its outlets to drain. A blocked outlet leaves water standing, which tests every joint. We check outlets and the covering around them.
Nearby places to Falmer
Other services in Falmer
FAQs for Falmer
Will you come out to Falmer?
Yes, we do. Our area covers London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Falmer?
It can do. Falmer is within about 4 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
Do I need to be at home?
It depends on what we need to see. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in.
Will I get photos?
Yes, plenty. Each finding is shown in a picture where possible, which makes the report easy to follow.
Why isn’t the leak directly above the stain?
Water follows the easiest path, not the shortest. On a flat roof it can travel under the covering before it finds a way through the ceiling. Following that route is what our investigation does.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, if whoever owns or manages the building agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach.
Will you check the loft?
If it is needed and safe to reach, yes. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.
For landlords and managing agents
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed in advance. We survey seven days a week, which can make access easier.
Leave it or get it looked at?
If a leak has been ‘fixed’ before and has come back, the cause was probably missed. A careful investigation looks at every likely route, not just the obvious one. That’s often what breaks the cycle. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Falmer, driving rain gets into any weakness, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, how it can safely be seen and the package you choose.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Falmer
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Packages from £150, including VAT