East Sussex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Lewes, East Sussex
We carry out roof leak investigations in Lewes and the rest of East Sussex. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
- Water that shows only in certain storms
- Stains around a skylight
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
Roof leak investigation in Lewes: what you get
Some ‘leaks’ are not leaks at all. Condensation in a cold, poorly ventilated loft can drip from nails and timbers, leaving marks that look just like rainwater. Telling the two apart matters, since the cure for one won’t solve the other. The pattern of the damp, the ventilation and the timing all help us decide. Typical surveys look at leaks below a flat extension roof and leaks at a dormer or roof window, on chimney stacks, valleys and parapet gutters and slate and tile slopes.
When a storm passes over a town like Lewes, loose tiles, slates and ridges are the first to move. What counts as a storm depends on your policy; many use gusts of around 55 mph. Photographs and a written account help you show what happened, whether to an insurer or a roofer. Policies usually exclude wear and tear, which is why the age of the damage matters.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.
- Where
- Lewes (BN7, BN8, BN6, RH15)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Lewes roofs and the weather
Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs, and the county’s older buildings include oast houses and Wealden hall houses. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in. Anne of Cleves House, about 0.6 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Lewes. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Anyone responsible for a site like Lewes Old Grammar School will know that on a building that size, finding the source of a drip means looking well beyond the stain. Homes near green spaces like Railway Land can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn. If you let a flat or house near Lewes station, finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused.
Lewes is about 7 miles north-east of Brighton, in East Sussex. Lewes gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful look at whatever is safely visible, photographs and a clear written report. Across East Sussex, we cover Lewes. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
We cover every part of the BN7, BN8, BN6 and RH15 postcode area for roof leak investigations. We cover properties on Market Lane, Market Street and High Street and the roads around them. With the A26 and A275 close by, Lewes is simple for us to get to. Neighbouring places we cover for roof leak investigations include South Malling (1 mile north-east), Southover (1 mile south-east), Cliffe (1 mile east), Offham (1 mile north-west) and Hamsey (1 mile north). Further out, we also cover Eastbourne (14 miles south-east), Seaford (8 miles south-east), Hailsham (11 miles east), Crowborough (14 miles north-east), Uckfield (8 miles north-east) and Newhaven (6 miles south). Being one of East Sussex’s larger places, Lewes has homes, rented property and businesses of every kind.
Near you in Lewes
In Lewes, that means homes and buildings near Priory School, St Pancras Catholic Primary School and Railway Land and the streets around them. The closest station to Lewes is Lewes station, roughly 0.6 miles south-east. Other landmarks nearby include Lewes Victoria Hospital (0.5 miles west) and Museum of Agricultural Bygones (3.9 miles east). Open spaces near Lewes include Offham Hill and Malling Down.
Practical tips
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Tips:
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Do not touch fittings that water is reaching
- Let us know if there are tanks or pipes in the loft
- Take dated photos of the leak
If the leak turns out to be condensation, the report says so, and suggest how the roof space could be better ventilated. It saves chasing a leak that isn’t there.
Look at the roof from the ground after strong winds. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles and debris on the ground are signs to act on. Small faults dealt with quickly rarely become leaks.
What this survey can’t tell you
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Putting the leak right
- An intermittent leak that shows no trace on the day
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Lewes
- Rooflights and dormers
- Flat roof details
- Chimney stacks
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Slate and tile slopes
- The roof space
- Lead flashings
Landlord and commercial surveys in Lewes
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer, so they’re priced to suit.
Towns and villages near Lewes
Other services in Lewes
Lewes questions
Do you carry out roof surveys in Lewes?
We do. Every survey there gets the same written report with photographs.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Lewes?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
What should I do before you arrive?
Keep a note of when it leaks. Move stored items away from the loft hatch. Keep away from any light or socket that water is reaching.
Will you check 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.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day. Just say which days work for you.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
What insurance do you have?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
Damp on a chimney breast inside frequently starts at the top of the stack. Open, unused pots let rain fall down the flue.
Parapet and box gutters
Linings, joints and outlets are inspected wherever it’s safe.
Why act early in Lewes
A leak rarely stays small. Wet timbers start to decay, plaster softens and insulation stops working. Finding the source early keeps the damage down. Once water reaches the loft insulation in a home in Lewes, it loses much of its value and is slow to dry. That is an extra cost on top of the roof work itself.
Prices start from £150, including VAT, for a Basic Survey. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both inc. VAT. You’ll know the price for the job before booking.
Why book with us
- An independent view of the roof
- 98% of customers satisfied
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- 20+ years’ experience
Take a look at our cost guide and our case studies.
What happens on the day
The aim of the visit is simple: to look at the leaking roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. It normally takes roughly 1–2 hours, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. Semi-detached and terraced homes in a town like Lewes frequently share a roof line with the neighbours, so shared parts are looked at as far as they can be seen from your property. Let us know about any known leaks, past repairs or building work when booking, so time on site goes where it is needed.
- We help you choose the package that suits the leak.
- We agree a date, including weekends.
- We inspect inside and out, starting from the stain.
- Where it’s useful and included, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- You get photos, the likely cause and clear recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Booking a survey
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or email us and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.