Roof surveys across London and the South East 07833 053749info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk

West Sussex · London and the South East

Fontwell Roof Leak Investigation

Roof leak investigations in Fontwell and the rest of West Sussex. Surveys run on any day of the week.

  • Water that shows only in certain storms
  • Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
  • Damp underlay across a wide area

Book a roof leak investigation in Fontwell

How a roof leak investigation works in Fontwell

Older homes have more places for water to get in. Worn lead, tired valley linings and blocked parapet outlets are frequent causes. If your home has a butterfly roof, the central valley gutter is a common culprit. Parapet walls and their gutters are looked at from wherever it’s safe. Our report shows what we found, with photos. If you’ve noticed damp patches next to the stack and drips from nail tips in a cold loft, we can find out what’s behind it.

For a small place like Fontwell, the inspection is the same as anywhere: the journey and access are just planned beforehand. It helps to know where the water appears, in what weather, and what you’ve seen outside, plus any earlier repairs. Photos of the stain and of the roof from outside are helpful too.

The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.

Where
Fontwell (BN18, PO20)
Region
West Sussex
Prices
From £150 inc. VAT
Reports
A written report with photos, by email
Appointments
Weekdays and weekends
Insured
Professional indemnity and public liability
Call
07833 053749
Last updated
27 October 2026
Illustration of a dotted line of water running from the roof to a puddle on the loft floor

How the survey works

Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. The inspection then takes about one to two hours at a typical home, or half a day or so for a commercial building. For a village or hamlet like Fontwell, the journey is planned ahead of time: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect everything that’s safely in view, inside and out.

  1. You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
  2. We agree a date, including weekends.
  3. We inspect inside and out, starting from the stain.
  4. Where it is useful and included, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
  5. The report explains the likely entry point and what needs attention.

Before the survey

  • Make sure we can get to the back of the property
  • Keep pets in another room
  • Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller

Book a survey

If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window. To send them or to book, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.

Ask for a survey

Advice

Rented homes, blocks and businesses

Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Bigger roofs take more time.

Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photographs included.

What affects the cost of roof leak investigations

All our prices include VAT. What changes the price is:

  • Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
  • Roof area
  • Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
  • The type of building, from a house to a block or an office

Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for the job before booking.

What to tell us when you get in touch

Before you get in touch, it helps to have:

  • Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
  • Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
  • Where water is showing inside, if it is
  • The address and postcode of the property

Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or email us.

Practical tips

Getting the most from a roof leak investigation starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Tips:

  • Put a bucket under the drip and move valuables
  • Write down the wind direction and rain when it leaks
  • Don’t climb onto the roof to look
  • Let us know about any past repairs to the roof

Keep the report after the work is done. If the leak returns, it is a useful record of what was found, which makes the next step quicker.

Keep the loft space ventilated. Air movement keeps condensation down, and condensation is a common false alarm. Keep insulation clear of the eaves.

Leaks and storm damage in Fontwell

Fontwell lies within about 5 miles of the sea, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. In a coastal gale, rain is driven sideways into laps, verges and flashings, while salt slowly corrodes metal fixings and flashings. About 4.2 miles west lies Goodwood House, a reminder of how long the area around Fontwell has been built on. 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.

Anyone responsible for a site like Ormiston Six Villages 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.

Fontwell is about 5 miles north of Bognor Regis, in West Sussex. Roofs in Fontwell get the same thorough look as anywhere else in West Sussex. Our West Sussex coverage includes Fontwell and the places around it. Our Portsmouth page covers surveys nearby.

We cover every part of BN18 and PO20 for roof leak investigations and the streets around it. That includes homes and businesses on London Road, Cooke Road and Steeplechase Way and the roads around them. Nearby, we also carry out roof leak investigations in Eastergate (1 mile south), Slindon (1 mile north-east), Nyton (1 mile south-west), West Barnham (1 mile south) and Slindon Common (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (11 miles east), Bognor Regis (5 miles south), Chichester (6 miles west), Selsey (10 miles south-west), Littlehampton (6 miles south-east) and Lancing (14 miles east).

What’s near Fontwell

We work in homes and buildings around Eastergate CofE Primary School. The nearest railway station is Barnham station, roughly 1.6 miles south. Well-known places in the area include Tote Copse Castle (2.2 miles south-west) and Arundel and District Hospital (3.7 miles east). Not far away are Bignor Hill and WWT Arundel.

Map of Fontwell © OpenStreetMap contributors

FAQs for Fontwell

Do you cover smaller places like Fontwell?

Yes, Fontwell is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.

Is the coastal weather around Fontwell hard on roofs?

It can do. Fontwell is within about 5 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.

How fast do I get the report?

Report times are set by the package. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. Mention any deadline when booking.

Is it a structural engineer’s report?

No. Our survey isn’t a structural engineer’s report. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we will recommend one.

How long does a roof leak investigation take?

Allow an hour or two on an ordinary house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. We will give you an idea of timing as you book.

Why is not the leak directly above the stain?

Water rarely drops straight down. It can follow a timber or the underlay a long way first, so the entry point is frequently well away from the mark. We follow the route back instead of guessing.

How much does a roof leak investigation cost in Fontwell?

Roof leak investigation starts from £150, including VAT. We confirm the exact price before you book. To get a price, phone 07833 053749 or email us.

What this survey can’t tell you

In fairness, a roof survey has limits:

  • A promise to find every leak on a single visit
  • Plumbing leaks that look like roof leaks
  • Putting the leak right

Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before booking. The full list of what we check.

Roof types and parts we check

  • Rooflights and dormers
  • Slate and tile slopes
  • Chimney stacks
  • Valleys and parapet gutters
  • Flat roof details
  • The roof space
  • Lead flashings

Signs you need a roof leak investigation in Fontwell

Every flat roof covering has a working life. Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and as it ages it splits, blisters and opens at the laps. Leaks often start at the edges, upstands and outlets.

We are often asked to look at:

  • Leaks below a flat extension roof
  • Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
  • Water marks that spread in wet weather
  • Damp walls below an overflowing gutter

If you let a flat or house near Barnham station, a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over.

Before booking anyone

  • What happens after the report arrives
  • Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
  • Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
  • What’s outside the scope of the survey

What a good roof survey covers

20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT