East Sussex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Northiam, East Sussex
An experienced roof surveyor for roof leak investigations in Northiam. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
- Damp patches next to the stack
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Northiam
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. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in. About 0.5 miles west lies Great Dixter, a reminder of how long the area around Northiam has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead.
Northiam is about 9 miles north of Hastings, in East Sussex. In Northiam, as across East Sussex, every roof gets the same careful survey. We cover towns and villages across East Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in Maidstone.
Surveys in TN31 are booked the same way as anywhere else. You will find streets such as Station Road, Main Street and Elizabeth Gardens, all of which we cover. With the A268 close by, Northiam is simple for us to get to. We also cover the places around Northiam: Beckley (2 miles south-east), Beckley Furnace (3 miles south), Broad Oak (3 miles south), Flackley Ash (3 miles east) and Broadland Row (4 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Hastings (9 miles south), Bexhill-on-Sea (12 miles south-west), St Leonards (10 miles south), Hastings Old Town (10 miles south), Belmont (10 miles south) and Heathfield (15 miles west).
Around Northiam
Typical jobs here are in homes near Hayes Arms Hotel, among other places. Other landmarks nearby include The C.M Booth Collection (4 miles north). The countryside around Northiam includes Flatropers Wood.
How a roof leak investigation works in Northiam
Some ‘leaks’ are not leaks at all. In a badly ventilated roof space, condensation can form under the roof and drip, leaving marks that look just like rainwater. Knowing which it is means the right fix can be done, because they need very different work. The pattern of the damp, the ventilation and the timing all help us decide. We survey chimney stacks, the roof space and slate and tile slopes, and people most often book us about a leak that comes and goes with the weather and water marks that spread in wet weather.
Many homes in small places like Northiam face open ground, so storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hard. Damp in old stone, brick or timber walls is slow to dry out, which makes finding the cause quickly worthwhile. A record with photos is useful if you need to show the damage to anyone else.
It is not only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Location
- Northiam (TN31)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
Photographs are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. Most surveys take between one and two hours at a typical home, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a hamlet or village like Northiam, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- We start with what you’ve seen: where the stain is and when it gets worse.
- The visit starts indoors, at the stain and in the loft.
- Outside, we look at every likely route in.
- We use moisture detection, and thermal imaging where it is useful.
- We email a report with photos, the likely entry point and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
Book a survey
We confirm the price for the job before booking, so you know the cost up front. Prices start from £150, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or email us.
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Places near Northiam
Also in Northiam
Northiam questions
Is Northiam within the area you cover?
We do. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house, with the route planned beforehand.
How do I find out if my home in Northiam is listed?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
What’s the best way to book?
Simply ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address. We’ll ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date.
Why is the stain in a different place from the leak?
Because water travels. It can follow a timber or the underlay a long way first, so the entry point is often well away from the mark. We follow the route back instead of guessing.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling are not something we do. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.
What will the report tell me?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, and ends with what we recommend. The most urgent items are made clear.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
Why it’s worth a survey now in Northiam
Damp in a ceiling or loft can lead to mould. Once mould takes hold, it is harder to clear. Finding the leak comes first. For an older or listed building in a place like Northiam, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
One thing that affects the price is the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, including VAT. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Northiam
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Visits on any day of the week
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- 98% of clients satisfied
Take a look at our cost guide or two real surveys.
Signs you need a roof leak investigation in Northiam
Chimneys can let water in by several routes. Water can enter through crumbling mortar, cracked flaunching, worn flashings or uncapped pots. The damp may appear on a chimney breast, a ceiling or in the loft.
Look out for signs like these:
- Leaks at a dormer or roof window
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- Leaks below a flat extension roof
- Drips from nail tips in a cold loft
If you look after a building such as Northiam Church of England Primary School, tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Their report turnaround times
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Practical tips
You do not need to be a roofer to help. Here’s what helps most:
- Don’t touch fittings that water is reaching
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Keep a photo record of the damp patch
- Don’t climb onto the roof to look
Where we find more than one possible route, we say which is most likely and why. Recommendations are prioritised by urgency where relevant, so you know what to deal with first.
Plan a roof survey every few years. Flashings, valleys and flat roof details are frequent weak points, and wear is easier to deal with before water gets in.
When you need someone else
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Whether rotten timbers meet design loads
- Carrying out the fix
- Water from pipes, tanks or heating systems
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will suggest the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Lead flashings
- Rooflights and dormers
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Slate and tile slopes
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roof details
- The roof space