East Sussex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Hellingly, East Sussex
We take a careful look at the leaking roof at your property in Hellingly, with photographs and a written report.
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Condensation that looks like a leak
- Damp patches next to the stack
Tips from our surveys
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Keep water away from lights and sockets
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
If there are several possible sources, we list them in order of likelihood. We say which items need prompt attention.
Plan a roof survey every few years. Flashings, valleys and flat roof details are frequent weak points, and catching wear early keeps water out.
About our roof leak investigation in Hellingly
Not every drip is a leak. Condensation in a cold, poorly ventilated loft can drip from nails and timbers, leaving marks that look just like rainwater. Knowing which it is means the right fix can be done, because they need very different work. We check the pattern of damp, the weather and the ventilation before reaching a view. We survey rooflights and dormers, flat roof details and valleys and parapet gutters, and people most often book us about damp underlay across a wide area and a leak that comes and goes with the weather.
In a smaller place like Hellingly, some roofs face open ground, so wind and driving rain find any weakness in ridges, verges and flashings. If a leak shows only when the wind is in a certain direction, that’s a useful clue. It is useful to know when and where the water appears. The gutters on the most exposed side can overflow too.
If any part of the leaking roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Location
- Hellingly (BN27)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey cannot tell you
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Bear these in mind:
- An intermittent leak that shows no trace on the day
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
- Water from pipes, tanks or heating systems
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll tell you before booking. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- The roof space
- Rooflights and dormers
- Lead flashings
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
Places near Hellingly
Also in Hellingly
DIY checks: what’s safe
You can learn a lot from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
Roof leak investigations in Hellingly: local notes
With Horselunges Manor about 0.6 miles west, Hellingly sits in an area with a long building history. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. In Sussex, older roofs are frequently handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs, and the county’s older buildings include oast houses and Wealden hall houses. The covering and its details give the first clues when tracing where water is coming from.
If you let a flat or house near Polegate station, finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused. Take a building like Hawkes Farm Academy: a leak through a large roof is frequently found some distance from where the water shows inside. Hotels and guest houses near Hellingly can’t easily close rooms for a leak.
Hellingly is about 1 mile north of Hailsham, in East Sussex. Hellingly gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a close look at what can safely be seen, photos and a clear written report. Across East Sussex, we cover Hellingly and the places around it. Brighton is in our area too.
Here we cover the BN27 postcode area for roof leak investigations. Streets in the area include Station Road, Cheviot Street and Iris Close, all of which we cover. We also cover the places around Hellingly: Upper Horsebridge (1 mile south-west), Lower Horsebridge (1 mile west), Magham Down (1 mile east), Hailsham (1 mile south) and Tile Hurst (1 mile south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Eastbourne (7 miles south), Hastings (13 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (9 miles east), Seaford (10 miles south-west), Lewes (11 miles west) and Crowborough (12 miles north).
Landmarks near Hellingly
In Hellingly, that means homes and buildings near Hailsham Community College. The closest station to Hellingly is Polegate station, about 4.3 miles south of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Hellingly Hospital Railway (under half a mile north) and Sussex Farm Museum (3.6 miles north).
Common questions in Hellingly
Is my home in Hellingly listed or in a conservation area?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it is in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is Hellingly in the area you cover?
We do. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so the freeholder or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We’re covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
Do you use drones?
Where it is applicable and safe, yes. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. It is included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where it applies, the Premium Survey.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends. To find a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, so it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
Damp on a chimney breast inside often starts at the top of the stack. Unused flues with open pots can let rain straight in.
Flat roof upstands and outlets
Upstands seal the edge of a flat roof where it meets a wall. A low or cracked upstand is a common way in.
Why act early in Hellingly
A leak that returns after a repair normally means the real source wasn’t found. A careful investigation looks at every likely route, not just the obvious one. It gives the next repair a far better chance. On a bungalow or cottage around Hellingly, the roof sits close to the rooms below, so a small leak can mark a ceiling within a few storms. Catching the cause first saves redecorating as well.
A Basic Survey starts from £150, inc. VAT. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, both with VAT included. You will know the price for the job before booking.
Why us?
- Package prices that include VAT
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Plain-English reports with photos
See our cost guide or two real surveys.
How the survey works
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes about one to two hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. You are welcome to ask questions while we are there. Parking around Hellingly is usually easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. Low roofs on bungalows can frequently be seen well from the ground, and the loft shows the rest.
- You pick a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- 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
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
Getting a price
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.