West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Old Shoreham
Not sure what state the leaking roof is in? You can book a roof leak investigation in Old Shoreham and across West Sussex.
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
Prices for roof leak investigations in Old Shoreham
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Which survey package you book
- How big the roof is
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 with VAT included. We can help you choose the package that fits what you’d like to know.
What to let us know when you get in touch
When you call or email, these details help:
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- The property’s address and postcode
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Anything about access we should know
If you are buying, it is useful 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 email us whenever suits you.
How a roof leak investigation works in Old Shoreham
A leak that comes and goes can be the hardest to pin down. Wind-driven rain, an overflowing gutter or snow melt may be what triggers it. Telling us when it happens helps a lot and so do photos. We look for the clues it leaves behind, such as tide marks, stained timbers and damp underlay. Moisture detection shows which materials are still damp. Common reasons to book are leaks that appear only in driving rain and staining around the chimney inside, on rooflights and dormers, the roof space and lead flashings.
Being in a small place like Old Shoreham makes no difference to how a leak or storm damage is looked at: we simply plan the journey and access ahead. Tell us where the water shows, when it appears and anything you’ve noticed outside, along with any repairs done before. If you have photos of the water coming in, they help as well.
If any part of the leaking roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Place
- Old Shoreham (BN43)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Old Shoreham: your questions answered
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Old Shoreham?
Places near the sea get more wind and more salt in the air than inland, and both are hard on roofs. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Old Shoreham?
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.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only where it’s safe to do so. We check everything that can be seen safely: from ground level, from windows, from inside the roof space, from the roof where it is safe and by drone where applicable. Anything we cannot see is noted in the report.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
What will the report tell me?
It sets out what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, with photos throughout. Anything we couldn’t see safely is noted too.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. Visible signs such as deflection or sagging are recorded, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
How should I prepare for the leak investigation?
Note when the leak appears and what the weather was doing, and take photos. Move stored items away from the loft hatch. Keep away from any light or socket that water is reaching.
Do you need a roof leak investigation in Old Shoreham?
Flat roofs fail with age and wear. A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and splits, blisters and lifting laps let water in. Upstands and outlets are common weak points.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Water that shows only in certain storms
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Wet patches on loft insulation
If you let a flat or house near Shoreham-By-Sea station, a clear finding on where water gets in helps you brief a roofer straight away.
Questions to ask before booking
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- What insurance they carry
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Whether VAT is added on top
Before and after the survey
Getting the most from a roof leak investigation starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Tips:
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Take dated photos of the leak
- Don’t touch fittings that water is reaching
- Mention earlier attempts to fix the leak
If the leak turns out to be condensation, the report says so, with recommendations on ventilation. It saves chasing a leak that isn’t there.
Do not block the vents at the eaves. Air movement keeps condensation down, which is often mistaken for a leak. Keep insulation clear of the eaves.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Old Shoreham
Where a roof is shared: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Old Shoreham and across West Sussex can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Old Shoreham
Old Shoreham is within about 1 mile of the coast, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Driving rain off the sea can be pushed into gaps that stay dry in calmer weather, and salt air slowly wears metal fixings. With Portslade Manor about 3.1 miles east, Old Shoreham sits in an area with a long building history. If your house is among the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Swiss Gardens Primary School, on a building that size, finding the source of a drip means looking well beyond the stain. For an older house near a landmark such as St Nicolas' Church, lead flashings, valleys and old chimneys are typical places for water to get in.
Old Shoreham is about 1 mile west of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in Old Shoreham and the rest of West Sussex. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
Surveys in BN43 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Neighbouring places we cover for roof leak investigations include Shoreham-by-Sea (1 mile east), Adur (1 mile north), Kingston by Sea (2 miles east), Southwick (2 miles east) and Castle Town (3 miles north). Further out, we also cover Worthing (5 miles west), Haywards Heath (14 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (11 miles north-east), Littlehampton (11 miles west), Rustington (10 miles west) and Storrington (9 miles north-west).
Near you in Old Shoreham
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Sir Robert Woodard Academy and The Amsterdam pub and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Shoreham-By-Sea station, roughly 0.7 miles east. Nearby you’ll also find Southlands Hospital (1.4 miles east) and Old Castle (4.6 miles west). The countryside around Old Shoreham includes Lancing Ring and Adur Estuary RSPB Reserve.
What we look for on each type of roof
Chimney stacks
Our chimney check is a visual inspection of the stack, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection.
Flat roof upstands and outlets
Each flat roof relies on its outlets to drain. A blocked outlet leaves water standing, which tests every joint. We check outlets and the covering around them.
Towns and villages near Old Shoreham
More services for Old Shoreham
What happens on the day
We check the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there is safe access, from inside the loft space too. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging, as far as the space allows. All in, the survey usually takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. In a small place like Old Shoreham, access is typically the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- You let us know where the water shows and when it appears.
- We check the stain, the ceiling and the loft above it.
- Likely entry points outside are checked, from flashings and valleys to gutters and outlets.
- Where it helps, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- We email a report with photographs, the likely entry point and recommendations.
Getting ready for the survey
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Keep pets in another room
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
How to book
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the details.