West Sussex · London and the South East
Storm Damage Roof Report in Birchgrove
Storm damage roof reports in Birchgrove and the rest of West Sussex. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Damaged ridges and hips
- Torn or lifted flat roof coverings
- Damaged pots on the stack
What a storm damage roof report looks like in Birchgrove
With Priest House about 2.9 miles north-west, Birchgrove sits in an area with a long building history. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Each of these roof types has its own typical places for water to get in.
Birchgrove is about 5 miles south of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in Birchgrove and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and the South East. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our Crawley page.
Here we cover the RH17 postcode area for storm damage roof reports. Other places close to Birchgrove include Chelwood Gate (1 mile east), Chelwood Common (1 mile south-east), Danehill (1 mile south), Horsted Keynes (2 miles south-west) and Wych Cross (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Crawley (9 miles north-west), Horsham (14 miles west), Haywards Heath (5 miles south-west), Burgess Hill (8 miles south-west), East Grinstead (5 miles north) and Broadfield (9 miles west).
Landmarks near Birchgrove
Well-known places in the area include Heaven Farm Museum (2.3 miles south) and Waterbury Castle (1.7 miles south-west). For a walk, there’s Brickfield Meadow.
Storm damage roof reports for homes and businesses in Birchgrove
Storms tend to find the weak points on a roof. Slates and tiles slip or blow off, ridge and hip tiles lift, flashings pull away and flat roof coverings can tear. Falling branches can cause damage too. Our report records what has happened to your roof, with photos. Any older wear we can see is recorded as well. We survey ridges and hips, flat roofs and gutters and fascias, and people most often book us about lifted or missing ridge and hip tiles and damaged gutters and fascias.
Roofs in small places like Birchgrove often stand in the open, where storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hardest. 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.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Location
- Birchgrove (RH17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roof coverings
Branches and debris can damage flat roofs or block outlets. We record what we find.
Chimney stacks
Pots, cowls and aerials on chimneys can be damaged or dislodged in a storm. The report notes any damage to the stack.
When to book a survey in Birchgrove
Flat roofs can be damaged too. Coverings can tear or peel back at the edges, and water can pond where outlets are blocked. Our report covers flat and pitched roofs.
Problems we come across often include:
- New damp or leaks inside
- Cowls or aerials dislodged in the wind
- Damaged flat roof membrane
- Lead lifted at abutments
Take an older house close to Chelwood Gate Church: old mortar, worn lead and slipped slates are the usual suspects when water gets in.
Before you book anyone
- When you will get the report
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- Which limits apply to the survey
Questions from Birchgrove
Do you cover smaller places like Birchgrove?
Yes. Birchgrove is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Birchgrove?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Will you check the loft?
If it’s needed and safe to reach, yes. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.
Can I challenge a declined storm claim?
The first step is a complaint to your insurer. After that, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be able to look at it. Our report gives you an independent record of the roof, though we can’t predict the outcome.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the survey around it.
What does a storm damage report cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Larger or more complex roofs are quoted for their size. Repair costs are not included, so ask a roofer to quote.
Can you tell me if my claim will be paid?
That is not something we can promise. The decision rests with your insurer and its policy. What we provide is an independent record of the damage.
What happens on the day
Once we have finished looking, we write up our findings as a written report with photos. As for time on site, it typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for a house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Somewhere like Birchgrove needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect what can be seen safely, inside and out.
- First you give us the date of the storm and what you’ve noticed, inside and out.
- The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows and from the loft space where it’s safe.
- The damage is recorded with photographs, area by area.
- We note the likely cause, including any signs of wear that were there before the storm.
- The findings are written up with photographs for you to share with your insurer.
How to prepare
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
How to book
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or send us an email. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
Related advice
Places near Birchgrove
What else we do in Birchgrove
Checking the roof from the ground
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we check the roof.
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when booking.
Before and after the survey
Small things make a difference. Some pointers:
- Do not go onto the roof to take pictures
- Read your policy wording on storm damage
- Ask a roofer for emergency temporary protection if water is coming in
- Hold on to fallen pieces of the roof where you can
If anything in the report is not clear, just ask us. Standard Surveys come with a follow-up consultation, and Premium Surveys with an in-person one.
Ask a tree specialist about branches over the roof. They can damage the roof in high winds.
Honest limits
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- What your policy covers, which depends on its wording
- Repair costs or quotes for the work
- Damage hidden under coverings or inside the structure, without opening up
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before you book. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Chimney stacks
- Flashings
- Ridges and hips
- Gutters and fascias
- Slate and tile slopes
- Flat roofs