West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Tisman's Common, West Sussex
Roof leak investigations in Tisman's Common, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Leaks below a flat extension roof
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Drips in the loft during heavy rain
Can I check my roof myself?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: 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.
It is useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry.
About our roof leak investigation in Tisman's Common
We use moisture detection and thermal imaging where they help. Moisture readings show which materials are wet. Thermal imaging shows temperature differences that can point to wet areas, not water itself, so its findings are checked with moisture readings. Moisture detection is included in the Standard Survey, and thermal imaging in Premium. The best thermal results come after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. We survey the roof space, rooflights and dormers and valleys and parapet gutters, and the problems we are asked to look at most are damp ceilings under a flat roof and leaks at a dormer or roof window.
In a village or hamlet like Tisman's Common, older cottages and farmhouses often have roofs that have been patched over many years. That makes it hard to tell new damage from old wear, and the difference matters, especially to an insurer. The report says what was seen and what it points to. Older walls and timbers hold water for a long time, so it is worth finding the cause soon.
We write the report in plain English, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photo where possible, with the urgent items made clear.
- Where
- Tisman's Common (RH12)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, putting the urgent items at the top.
Where a roof is shared: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Let us know about it when booking and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Places near Tisman's Common
Also in Tisman's Common
Tips that help
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Note the weather when the leak shows
- Have an electrician check any wet fittings
- Let us know what has already been tried
If there are several possible sources, we list them in order of likelihood. Recommendations are prioritised by urgency where relevant.
Check the loft after heavy rain, with care and a good torch. Watch for water marks, wet underlay and damp wood. Photograph anything new.
Signs you need a roof leak investigation in Tisman's Common
Flat roofs fail with age and wear. Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and splits, blisters and lifting laps let water in. Leaks often start at the edges, upstands and outlets.
People normally book a survey after spotting something like this:
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
- Leaks that appear only in driving rain
- Water through the ceiling under a flat roof
If you look after a building such as Pennthorpe 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
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- What insurance they carry
How the survey works
We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the loft space where it can be reached. All told, expect between one and two hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. Cottages and farmhouses around Tisman's Common frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- You get in touch with details of the leak and any photos.
- Inside, we check the damp area and the loft space above it.
- We check the likely entry points outside, like flashings, valleys, chimneys and gutters.
- Moisture readings and thermal imaging are used where they help.
- We email a report with photos, the likely entry point and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- Let us know about parking near the property
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
Arrange a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form, and we will ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Related advice
Wind, rain and roofs in Tisman's Common
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. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in. What can be done to an older roof may depend on listing or a conservation area. Your council and Historic England’s list will tell you where you stand, ideally before any re-roofing is planned.
If you live in an older home near St John the Baptist, leaks on older roofs often start at lead flashings, valleys or around old chimney stacks.
Tisman's Common is about 7 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. We carry out roof leak investigations for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Tisman's Common and nearby. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, large and small. Crawley is in our area too.
Surveys in RH12 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Whether your property is on Hornshill Lane and Loxwood Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. Other places close to Tisman's Common include Bucks Green (1 mile east), Rudgwick (1 mile east), The Haven (2 miles south-east), Slinfold (3 miles south-east) and Five Oaks (3 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (12 miles east), Horsham (7 miles east), Broadfield (12 miles east), Storrington (11 miles south), Billingshurst (5 miles south) and Bewbush (11 miles east).
Near you in Tisman's Common
Typical jobs here are in homes near Rudgwick Primary School and The Queen's Head Public House, among other places.
Roof by roof
Chimney stacks
Water that gets in at the top can show up lower down. Open, unused pots let rain fall down the flue.
Valleys
A valley leak can appear well away from the valley inside. From inside the loft space, we follow the water’s route back.
Questions from Tisman's Common
Do you cover smaller places like Tisman's Common?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
How do I find out if my home in Tisman's Common is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Will you go up on the roof?
Only if it’s safe. We look at everything that can be seen safely: from the ground, from windows and vantage points, from the loft space, from the roof itself where safe and by drone where it applies. Anything we cannot see is noted in the report.
Are you insured?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Can you tell me if my roof has 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.
Can every leak be traced?
Not every leak can be pinned down in a single visit. Many leave clear signs, but some only appear in certain weather. We report what we found and the likeliest sources.
How long does a roof leak investigation take?
Allow between one and two hours for a house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. We’ll give you an idea of timing when booking.