West Sussex · London and the South East
Balcombe Lane Storm Damage Roof Report
An independent record of roof damage after a storm for Balcombe Lane, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Cowls or aerials dislodged in the wind
- Damaged gutters and fascias
- Holes or cracks caused by debris
For landlords and managing agents
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work around your tenants.
Storm damage roof reports for homes and businesses in Balcombe Lane
Many policies treat gusts of about 55 mph as storm conditions, but it varies by policy. Your policy document sets out its own definition. Whether the weather met it is for your insurer. Our part is recording the damage to your roof and its likely cause. The report includes photographs of each area of damage, and you decide what to send. The claim decision rests with your insurer. If you’re worried about damaged flat roof membrane and loose or broken chimney pots and cowls, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Many homes in small places like Balcombe Lane face open ground, so storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hard. Once water gets into older walls, it takes a long time to dry, so it pays to find the cause quickly. A written record also helps if you need to explain it to anyone else.
Where we cannot see part of the roof, the report says so. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Place
- Balcombe Lane (RH17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Wind, rain and roofs in Balcombe Lane
Tyes Place, about 3 miles south-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Balcombe Lane. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Knowing the roof type helps narrow down where water may be getting in.
The streets around a church such as The Parish Church of St Mary are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, old mortar, worn lead and slipped slates are the usual suspects when water gets in. Shop and office owners around County Mall may find that a quick answer on where water is coming in keeps a business running. Anyone responsible for a site like Balcombe CofE Controlled Primary School 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.
Balcombe Lane is about 4 miles south-east of Crawley, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in Balcombe Lane and the rest of West Sussex, as part of our work across London and South East England. Balcombe Lane is one of the places in West Sussex where we work.
Storm damage roof reports in RH17 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We also cover Balcombe (1 mile south), Worth Abbey (2 miles north-east), Furnace Green (2 miles north-west), Pease Pottage (3 miles west) and Staplefield (3 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (4 miles north-west), Horsham (8 miles west), Haywards Heath (5 miles south), Burgess Hill (8 miles south), East Grinstead (6 miles north-east) and Broadfield (4 miles north-west).
Landmarks near Balcombe Lane
Around Balcombe Lane, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Oriel High School. The nearest railway station is Balcombe station, about 1.3 miles south of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Crawley Museum (3.9 miles north-west) and Waterbury Castle (4.8 miles south-east). The countryside around Balcombe Lane includes Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
Honest limits
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- Acting for you with the insurer
- Areas we can’t see safely
- Estimates of repair costs
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will point you to the right survey. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Chimney stacks
- Flashings
- Flat roofs
- Gutters and fascias
- Ridges and hips
- Slate and tile slopes
Nearby places to Balcombe Lane
More services for Balcombe Lane
Leave it or get it looked at?
Your policy may say how quickly you need to report damage. Let your insurer know early, and check what your policy asks for. An independent report can follow. Older cottages and farmhouses around Balcombe Lane can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it’s left.
Storm damage roof report starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on how big and how high the roof is, access and which survey you book.
Why us?
- An independent look at the roof
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Package prices that include VAT
Read what a roof survey costs or two real surveys.
Roof by roof
Slate roofs
Slates often outlast the nails that hold them. We look at whether slipped slates suggest storm damage, older wear or both.
Flat roof coverings
Lifted trims and laps are common after a storm. We check whether the damage is recent or older.
Tips from our surveys
Nothing here needs a ladder. Our suggestions:
- Record any water damage in rooms and the loft
- Hold on to fallen pieces of the roof where you can
- Take photos from ground level or a window, never by climbing
- Write down when the storm hit and when you noticed damage
If a claim is declined and you disagree, the first step is a complaint to the insurer. If that doesn’t resolve it, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be able to help.
A well-maintained roof stands up to storms better. Fix slipped slates, loose ridges and lifted flashings when you spot them.
How the survey works
The aim of the visit is simple: to see as much of the roof as can be seen safely and record it clearly. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. The visit usually takes an hour or two at a house, and longer if the damage is spread across a large roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Balcombe Lane often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- We note the date of the storm and the damage you’ve seen.
- We look at the roof from wherever it is safe.
- Each area of damage is photographed and described.
- We note the likely cause and any signs of older wear.
- You get a written report to pass to your insurer.
Before we arrive
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Jot down any questions you want answered
How to book
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. From there it is a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
Read more
Your questions about storm damage roof reports in Balcombe Lane
Is Balcombe Lane within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We work right across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
How do I find out if my home in Balcombe Lane is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Will you walk on the roof?
Not always. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where applicable let us see the rest.
Will my insurer pay out if I get a storm damage report?
We can’t say whether a claim will be paid. Insurers decide claims on their own policy wording. What we provide is an independent record of the damage.
Do you act for me with my insurer?
No. Our report is an independent record for you to use. The insurer may send a loss adjuster of its own.
How long will you be at the property?
Time on site depends on the roof, but most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours for a house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. The written report follows by email.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning. Mention it when you contact us and we will explain what’s needed.