West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Handcross
Roof leak investigations in Handcross, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Leaks below a flat extension roof
About our roof leak investigation in Handcross
Older homes have more places for water to get in. Lead flashings crack or lift, valley linings wear and parapet gutters overflow when outlets block. A central valley gutter on a butterfly roof often turns out to be the source. Parapet walls and their gutters are checked from wherever it is safe. The findings are recorded with photos. We survey valleys and parapet gutters, flat roof details and slate and tile slopes, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are wet patches on loft insulation and water marks that spread in wet weather.
Many homes in small places like Handcross face open ground, where storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hardest. Damp in old stone, brick or timber walls is slow to dry out, which makes finding the cause quickly worthwhile. A record with photographs is useful if you need to show the damage to anyone else.
You can share the report with anyone who needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.
- Place
- Handcross (RH17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Different roofs, different checks
Chimney stacks
Chimneys let water in through pointing, flaunching, flashings and open pots. Each is looked at from every safe viewpoint.
Slate and tile slopes
Ridge and hip tiles can loosen as their mortar cracks. Rain can then run in at the ridge.
Checking the roof from ground level
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Water spilling over the edge can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Handcross
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Handcross. To discuss a property or a block, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Larger roofs take longer.
Tips that help
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Some tips:
- Record whether it leaks in every downpour or only some
- Let us know if there are tanks or pipes in the loft
- Keep water away from lights and sockets
- Protect furniture and flooring under the leak
If the leak turns out to be condensation, the report says so, and suggest how the loft space could be better ventilated. It saves chasing a leak that is not there.
Keep the loft space ventilated. Air movement keeps condensation down, which is often mistaken for a leak. Keep insulation clear of the eaves.
Nearby places to Handcross
What else we do in Handcross
Common questions in Handcross
Do you carry out roof surveys in Handcross?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Handcross as anywhere else.
How do I find out if my home in Handcross is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
What happens next?
We email you the written report with photos and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
Can you trace a leak in dry weather?
Normally, yes. Moisture detection shows where materials are damp even on a dry day. For leaks that only happen in certain storms, we report the most likely routes.
How long will you be at the property?
The visit typically takes about one to two hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. We will confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
We carry out surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. To find a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
How we price roof leak investigations
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Roof area
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
What we need to know
If you can, have these to hand when you contact us:
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Dates you’re working to, like exchange
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
If you’re buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form whenever suits you.
Handcross roofs and the weather
The wider area around Handcross has a long history of building, with Tyes Place about 1.9 miles south-east. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it’s detailed.
If you live in an older home near All Saints, the leak may come from a chimney, a valley or tired lead rather than the covering itself. Take a building like Handcross Primary School: tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back. If you let a flat or house near Balcombe station, finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused.
Handcross is about 4 miles south of Crawley, in West Sussex. Handcross is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and the South East. Handcross is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex where we work for roof leak investigations.
Here we cover the RH17 postcode area for roof leak investigations. If you need a roof leak investigation at a property on High Street, London Road and Windmill Platt or a nearby road, we can survey it. If you’re just outside Handcross, we cover Slaugham (1 mile south), Plummers Plain (2 miles south-west), Colgate (3 miles north-west), Broadfield (3 miles north) and Lower Beeding (3 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Crawley (4 miles north), Horsham (5 miles west), Haywards Heath (6 miles south-east), Burgess Hill (7 miles south-east), East Grinstead (10 miles north-east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (15 miles south).
Near you in Handcross
Around Handcross, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Royal Oak Public House and Handcross Park School. The nearest railway station is Balcombe station, about 2.8 miles east of the centre. A little further out are Crawley Hospital (4.3 miles north). For a walk, there’s Tilgate Lake and Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow.
How it works
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. Most visits take an hour or two, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. Somewhere like Handcross needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect whatever is safely visible, inside and out.
- We help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We inspect inside and out, starting from the stain.
- Moisture detection and thermal imaging are used where your package includes them and they help.
- You get photos, the likely cause and clear recommendations.
How to prepare
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Tell us about parking before the day
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
How to book
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We’ll confirm the price before you book.