Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Roof Leak Investigation in Patcham
A careful look at the leaking roof at your property in Patcham, and put it all in a photo-illustrated written report.
- Wet patches high on an inside wall
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
- Stains around a skylight
Roof by roof
Slate and tile slopes
‘Nail fatigue’ is a common cause of slipped slates. One slipped slate can be enough to cause a leak, particularly in driving rain.
Flat roof upstands and outlets
Upstands seal the edge of a flat roof where it meets a wall. If it is too low, cracked or poorly dressed, water gets behind it.
About our roof leak investigation in Patcham
Most roof leaks start at a joint rather than the middle of a slope. Flashings at chimneys and walls, valleys, gutters, parapets and flat roof upstands and outlets are the usual suspects. We check each likely route and we follow where the evidence leads. Every chimney, dormer and roof light adds more joints to check. Each one is checked from wherever it’s safe to see it. We survey valleys and parapet gutters, the roof space and rooflights and dormers, and the problems we are asked to look at most are damp underlay across a wide area and water through the ceiling under a flat roof.
In a smaller place like Patcham, some roofs face open ground, so wind and driving rain find any weakness in ridges, verges and flashings. A leak that only appears in certain weather often points to an exposed detail. It is useful to know when and where the water appears. The gutters on the most exposed side can overflow too.
The written findings come by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Where
- Patcham (BN1)
- Region
- Brighton and Hove
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
FAQs for Patcham
Is the coastal weather around Patcham hard on roofs?
It can do. Patcham is within about 3 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
Do you cover smaller places like Patcham?
Yes. Patcham is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We survey roofs across London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs like sagging are noted, but we don’t provide calculations or an engineer’s opinion. The report will say if you need an engineer.
When does the report arrive?
The Premium Survey report comes the same day, the Standard within 24–48 hours and the Basic within 48 hours. Each one is emailed.
Will I get photos?
Yes. The report includes photos of what we found.
Could my leak actually be condensation?
It is a common question. A leak normally shows in one area and follows rain, while condensation is often widespread and worst on cold days. We tell you which it is most likely to be.
Do I need to be at home?
If the survey includes the loft or the inside of the building, someone needs to let us in. We’ll talk about access as you book.
What affects the cost of roof leak investigations
Survey packages start from £150, inc. VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- The size of the roof
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Which survey package you book
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, from £400 with VAT included. We can help you choose the package that fits what you’d like to know.
What we need to know
If you can, have these to hand when you contact us:
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Any deadline, like an exchange date
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
What happens on the day
You do not need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, like stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will take it from there. A typical survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. With a bit of garden around a house, as there often is around Patcham, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Mention any side of the property we cannot get to. Inside, the loft is looked at where it can be reached safely.
- We start with what you’ve seen: where the stain is and when it gets worse.
- Inside, we check the damp area and the roof space above it.
- We check the likely entry points outside, such as flashings, valleys, chimneys and gutters.
- Where it helps, we take moisture readings and use thermal imaging.
- Your report sets out where the water is most likely getting in, with photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Book a survey
To book 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 booking.
Advice
For landlords and managing agents
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client, photos included.
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, with the most urgent items set out first.
Why it’s worth a survey now in Patcham
Patching the spot above the stain frequently does not work. The real way in may be a metre or more away. We find the probable source before anyone starts work, so the repair is aimed at the right place. Blocked gutters on homes around Patcham overflow and soak walls, especially where trees overhang. Dealing with the cause is simple; drying out a wall is not.
Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £150, including VAT. You will know the price for the job before booking.
Why book with us
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- An independent look at the roof
- Photographs and a written report every time
- Package prices that include VAT
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or our case studies.
Leaks and storm damage in Patcham
Patcham lies within about 3 miles of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Driving rain off the sea can be pushed into gaps that stay dry in calmer weather. Preston Manor & Gardens, about 1.5 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Patcham. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Homes near green spaces like Withdean Park can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn. If you live in an older home near All Saints Church, lead flashings, valleys and old chimneys are typical places for water to get in. If you let a flat or house near Preston Park station, tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it.
Patcham is about 2 miles north of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. We provide roof leak investigations for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Patcham. We cover towns and villages across Brighton and Hove, large and small.
Every address in BN1 is within our area for roof leak investigations. We offer roof leak investigations to properties on London Road, Vale Avenue and Eldred Avenue. Other places close to Patcham include Waterhall (1 mile north-west), Westdene (1 mile south-west), Hollingbury (1 mile east), Withdean (1 mile south) and Preston (1 mile south). Further out, we also cover Carlton Hill (3 miles south), Hanover (3 miles south), Brunswick (3 miles south), Kemptown (4 miles south-east), Whitehawk (3 miles south-east) and Aldrington (3 miles south-west).
Landmarks near Patcham
In Patcham, that means homes and buildings near Withdean Park, Patcham High School and The Dharma Primary School. The nearest railway station is Preston Park station, about 1.3 miles south. Other landmarks nearby include Clayton Castle (3.1 miles north) and Brighton Transport Museum (1.8 miles south). The countryside around Patcham includes Ditchling Beacon and Ladies Mile.
Towns and villages near Patcham
Other services in Patcham
Useful tips for Patcham property owners
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:
- Note the weather when the leak shows
- Photograph the stain each time it appears
- Protect furniture and flooring under the leak
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
If there are several possible sources, we list them in order of likelihood. Recommendations are prioritised by urgency where relevant, so you know what to deal with first.
Check the loft after heavy rain, with care and a good torch. Look for drips, damp patches and stains on timbers. Photograph anything new.