West Sussex · London and the South East
Storm Damage Roof Report in Southwater
A careful look at the roof at your property in Southwater, and put it all in a written report with photos.
- Gaps where slates or tiles have gone
- Damaged gutters and fascias
- Damaged pots on the stack
What we do, step by step
Every visit follows the same pattern: we listen to what’s been worrying you, inspect the roof from each safe vantage point, photograph what we find and make notes for the report. It usually takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, or half a day or so for a commercial building. In a smaller place like Southwater, 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, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where applicable.
- You tell us what happened and whether a roofer has made the roof safe.
- We check inside, including the loft where there is access, for water damage.
- We view the roof from safe positions.
- We record fresh damage and older defects.
- The report, with photos, is emailed to you.
How to prepare
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Tell us where we can park nearby
Book a survey
Once you know what you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day, weekday or weekend.
Related advice
About our storm damage roof report in Southwater
A storm damage roof report is an independent record of the damage to your roof after a storm. It sets out what is damaged, with photos, and what we think the likely cause is. You can then give it to your insurer with your claim. The decision on any claim rests with your insurer and its policy wording. We are not loss adjusters and cannot say whether a claim will be paid. We survey ridges and hips, gutters and fascias and flat roofs, and common reasons people get in touch are damaged pots on the stack and gaps where slates or tiles have gone.
In older homes around places like Southwater, the underlay may be old bitumen felt, or there may be none at all. Once the slates or tiles let water past, there is little to stop it reaching the ceiling. Finding where it gets in, and whether it is old wear or new damage, decides what comes next. Wet battens and insulation in the loft are often the first clue.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets, with a note and a photo for each point. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Place
- Southwater (RH13)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Ridge and hip tiles
Ridge tiles bedded in old mortar can loosen in high winds. We note whether the mortar looks recently broken or long worn.
Chimney stacks
Older stacks with worn pointing or cracked flaunching are more likely to suffer. We record both the storm damage and the older wear.
Places near Southwater
Other services in Southwater
What affects the price in Southwater
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- The size of the roof
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.
Getting in touch
A little information up front helps. It helps to include:
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- What’s prompted the survey
Every survey is priced before it is booked, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Leaks and storm damage in Southwater
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, before anyone quotes for re-roofing. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. 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 is detailed.
If you own a rental within reach of Christs Hospital station, tracing a leak quickly matters when a tenant is living with it. Take a building like Southwater Infant Academy: tracing a leak on a big roof starts with where the water appears and works back. If you live in an older home near Holy Innocents Church, water on an older roof tends to find its way in at the lead, the valleys or the chimney.
Southwater is about 3 miles south of Horsham, in West Sussex. Southwater is part of the area we cover across London and South East England. Our West Sussex coverage includes Southwater. For surveys nearby, see our Crawley page.
We cover every part of the RH13 postcode area for storm damage roof reports. Streets in the area include Station Road, Walmer Close and Pevensey Road, and we cover them all. We also cover the places around Southwater: Tower Hill (2 miles north), Nuthurst (2 miles east), Brooks Green (2 miles west), Barns Green (2 miles west) and Maplehurst (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (9 miles north-east), Horsham (3 miles north), Worthing (14 miles south), Haywards Heath (11 miles east), Burgess Hill (11 miles south-east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (13 miles south).
Local landmarks in Southwater
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Lintot pub and The Doyle School of Design and Technology, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Christs Hospital station, roughly 1.9 miles north-west. A little further out are Christs Hospital School Museum (1.5 miles north-west) and Horsham Hospital (3.2 miles north). Not far away are Knepp Wildland.
Before and after the survey
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Check how your policy defines a storm
- Keep any slates, tiles or debris that fall, if it’s safe to do so
- Photograph the damage safely from below
- Take photos of stains and damp inside
You will need a roofer’s quote for the repairs. The report gives them a clear list of the damage.
Keep gutters and outlets clear so heavy rain can drain away. Overflowing gutters can make storm damage worse.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in.
Your questions about storm damage roof reports in Southwater
How do I find out if my home in Southwater is listed?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it is in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Southwater?
Yes, Southwater is within the area we cover. Our area covers London and the South East. Just phone 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the property.
Will my insurer pay for an old roof?
Insurers typically exclude wear and tear. Our report gives an honest view of what’s recent damage and what’s older wear. Your insurer decides the claim.
How should I record storm damage myself?
Only from the ground or from windows. Never climb onto a roof after a storm. Binoculars can help you see damage from below and we will inspect the rest from safe positions.
Who handles emergency protection after a storm?
Call a roofer for emergency temporary protection. If it is safe, photograph the damage before it’s covered. Keep receipts for any emergency work.
Do you need to get into 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.
How long is the visit?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof, but most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours at a house, and longer if the damage is spread across a large roof. The report is sent afterwards by email.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Southwater
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. Access is agreed with the tenant ahead of time.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work around your tenants.