Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Whitehawk Roof Leak Investigation
Find out the condition of the leaking roof at your property in Whitehawk from an independent roof surveyor. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Water dripping from rafters or underlay
- Water coming in around a roof light or dormer
- Staining where a gutter or parapet meets the wall
What happens if roof problems are left?
Guesswork repairs are a common reason leaks keep coming back. The real way in may be a metre or more away. We find the probable source before anyone starts work. Blocked gutters on homes around Whitehawk overflow and soak walls. It is easy to sort the cause early and slow to dry a damp wall.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, which starts from £400, including VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
Why book with us
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- An independent look at the roof
- Visits on any day of the week
- Clear package prices, with VAT included
Roof leak investigation in Whitehawk
Some leaks only appear in certain weather. Wind-driven rain, an overflowing gutter or snow melt may be what triggers it. Notes on when it leaks, and what the weather was doing, help us and so do photos. We look for the clues it leaves behind, like tide marks, stained timbers and damp underlay. Moisture readings show where materials are still wet. If you are worried about damp ceilings under a flat roof and staining around the chimney inside, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
In older homes around places like Whitehawk, the underlay may be old bitumen felt, or there may be none at all. Without a sound underlay, any gap in the coverings lets water straight through. Finding where it gets in, and whether it’s old wear or new damage, decides what comes next. Wet battens and insulation in the loft are often the first clue.
If any part of the leaking roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Where
- Whitehawk (BN2)
- Region
- Brighton and Hove
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Leaks and storm damage in Whitehawk
Whitehawk is within about 1 mile of the coast, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, and driving rain finds any gap they leave, and salt air slowly wears metal fixings. About 1.4 miles west lies Royal Pavilion, a reminder of how long the area around Whitehawk has been built on. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
Shop and office owners around Churchill Square may find that a quick answer on where water is coming in keeps a business running. Trees in and around Whitehawk Hill shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall. Anyone responsible for a site like City Academy Whitehawk will know that water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot.
Whitehawk is about 1 mile south-east of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. We survey roofs in Whitehawk as part of our work across London and South East England. Our area takes in places right across Brighton and Hove, from the larger towns to small villages.
Surveys in BN2 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Whether your property is on Peel Road, Manor Road and Craven Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. Neighbouring places we cover for roof leak investigations include Kemptown (1 mile south-west), Hanover (1 mile west), Carlton Hill (1 mile west), Bevendean (1 mile north) and Brighton (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include Brighton and Hove (4 miles west), Hove (3 miles west), Aldrington (4 miles west), Withdean (3 miles north-west), Hangleton (5 miles north-west) and Patcham (3 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Whitehawk
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to St Mary's Hall, Whitehawk Hill and Longhill High School and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Brighton station, about 1.6 miles west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Brighton Motor Museum (0.7 miles south-west) and Royal Sussex County Hospital (0.6 miles south-west). Open spaces near Whitehawk include Newmarket Hill and Whitehawk Hill.
For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents and landlords in Whitehawk book surveys as well as householders. The report gives you a dated record of the leaking roof, with photographs, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf. Access is agreed with the tenant ahead of time.
What we can’t see
Before booking, it is worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- A promise to find every leak on a single visit
- The repair itself (the investigation finds and reports the cause)
- Plumbing leaks that look like roof leaks
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Rooflights and dormers
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flat roof details
- Lead flashings
- Valleys and parapet gutters
How the survey works
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof; as a rough guide, the survey takes an hour or two, more where the leak is intermittent or the roof is large. You’re welcome to ask questions while we are there. In a smaller place like Whitehawk, parking is seldom the issue; lanes, gates and long drives are worth mentioning. Low roofs on bungalows can often be seen well from the ground, and the loft shows the rest.
- We start with your notes and photos of the leak.
- 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 ground level, windows and the roof where safe.
- We email a written report showing where the water most likely gets in.
Getting ready for the survey
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
Book a survey
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email to find out.
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Towns and villages near Whitehawk
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Your questions about roof leak investigations in Whitehawk
Do you cover smaller places like Whitehawk?
Yes, we do. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it’s useful to know about access.
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Whitehawk, take more of a battering?
It can do. Within about 1 mile of the sea, as Whitehawk is, metal fixings wear faster and gales find any loose ridge or slate.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We point out what can be seen, such as sagging or deflection, but we do not carry out calculations or give an engineer’s opinion. Where an engineer is needed, we say so in the report.
Is there anything I need to do before the visit?
Clear the loft hatch so we can get into the roof space. Gather any photos and notes about when it leaks, plus details of past repairs. In the meantime, catch the water and keep it clear of lights and sockets.
Will you fix the leak as part of this?
The investigation is about finding the cause. The repair is not part of it. The report shows where the water gets in and what should be done.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling aren’t something we do. Where a material might contain it, like old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
How the survey changes by roof type
Slate and tile slopes
Ridge and hip tiles can loosen as their mortar cracks. Rain can then run in at the ridge.
Parapet and box gutters
We check the linings, joints and outlets where we can see them safely.
Before and after the survey
There’s plenty you can do without going near the roof. What helps most:
- Clear the loft hatch so we can get in
- Catch drips in a bucket and protect the floor
- Mention any plumbing above the damp area
- Leave roof access to professionals
We email the report to you, with photos of what we found. It explains the likely entry point, the route the water takes and our recommendations. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day.
Plan a roof survey every few years. They’re where most leaks start, and wear is easier to deal with before water gets in.