West Sussex · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in West Stoke, West Sussex
Roof leak investigations in West Stoke from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and South East England.
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Water that shows only in certain storms
- Brown rings on upstairs ceilings
Roof leak investigations around West Stoke
West Stoke lies within about 5 miles of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, and driving rain finds any gap they leave, while salt slowly corrodes metal fixings and flashings. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it’s detailed.
If you own a rental within reach of Fishbourne station, a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over. West Dean House, about 3.2 miles north-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around West Stoke. Leaks in period homes nearby often come from lead work and valleys that have been patched before.
West Stoke is about 3 miles north-west of Chichester, in West Sussex. We provide roof leak investigations for householders, landlords and businesses in West Stoke. Our West Sussex coverage includes West Stoke and the places around it. Portsmouth is in our area too.
Every address in PO18 is covered for roof leak investigations. That includes homes and businesses on Downs Road and Lye Lane. If you are just outside West Stoke, we cover East Ashling (1 mile south-west), West Ashling (1 mile south-west), Funtington (2 miles west), Broadbridge (2 miles south-west) and Fishbourne (2 miles south). We also work in nearby towns like Bognor Regis (8 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles south-east), Selsey (10 miles south), Littlehampton (13 miles east), Emsworth (5 miles west) and Rustington (14 miles east).
Landmarks near West Stoke
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Horse And Groom Public House. For rail, the closest station is Fishbourne station, about 2.2 miles south of the centre. A little further out are Chichester Castle (3 miles south-east) and Chichester Centre (2.8 miles south-east). Not far away are Stoke Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
Roof leak investigations for homes and businesses in West Stoke
We investigate roof leaks in West Stoke and across London and South East England. We visit on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The investigation covers inside and out, from the stain to the likely entry points. The findings come in a written report with photos. If it is leaking right now, contain the water and keep it clear of electrics, then ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We survey lead flashings, rooflights and dormers and valleys and parapet gutters, and common reasons people get in touch are wet patches high on an inside wall and wet patches on loft insulation.
Roofs in small places like West Stoke often stand in the open, so storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hard. Damp in old stone, brick or timber walls is slow to dry out, so it pays to find the cause quickly. A written record also helps if you need to explain it to anyone else.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Location
- West Stoke (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips from our surveys
You do not need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Make sure the loft is accessible
- Record whether it leaks in every downpour or only some
- Check whether pipes or tanks run near the stain
- Let us know what has already been tried
Any roofer you ask to quote can work from the report. They’ll see exactly where the problem is, rather than at the stain.
Don’t block the vents at the eaves. Good airflow reduces condensation, which is often mistaken for a leak. Make sure insulation doesn’t block airflow at the eaves.
What this survey can’t tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- Faults hidden behind ceilings or boarding
- A promise to find every leak on a single visit
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in West Stoke
- Flat roof details
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- Chimney stacks
- Rooflights and dormers
- The roof space
- Slate and tile slopes
- Lead flashings
Your questions about roof leak investigations in West Stoke
Do you cover smaller places like West Stoke?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in West Stoke?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there is more wind, and more salt in the air. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
How should I prepare for the leak investigation?
Note when the leak appears and what the weather was doing, and take photos. Clear access to the loft. If water is near any fittings, have an electrician check them.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them.
Will you fix the leak as part of this?
The investigation is about finding the cause. The repair isn’t part of it. The report shows where the water gets in and what should be done.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Towns and villages near West Stoke
What else we do in West Stoke
The survey, step by step
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes an hour or two for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. For a village or hamlet like West Stoke, the journey is planned ahead of time: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there’s safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- You tell us where the water appears, when, and what the weather was doing.
- We examine the damp area and the rooms near it.
- In the loft, we follow any signs of water back towards the roof.
- We inspect the likely entry points outside, from the ground, windows and the roof where safe.
- We email a written report showing where the water most likely gets in.
Getting ready for the survey
- Keep pets in another room
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Leave side gates unlocked
Booking a survey
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or email us, let us know about the property and we will suggest the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
What we are asked to look at in West Stoke
Valleys carry a lot of water. Worn lead, cracked linings or a build-up of leaves and moss can send that water under the coverings. The stain may appear well away from the valley itself.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Damp ceilings under a flat roof
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
- A leak that comes and goes with the weather
- Water marks that spread in wet weather
Anyone responsible for a site like Bishop Luffa School will know that tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Will the report include photos?
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- How long the report takes to arrive
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
Can I check my roof myself?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
For landlords and managing agents
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps with budgets and planning.
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, call 07833 053749 or email us.