East Sussex · London and the South East
Storm Damage Roof Report in Watermill
An independent record of roof damage after a storm for Watermill, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photos.
- Water coming in after the storm
- Holes or cracks caused by debris
- Flashings pulled away from walls or stacks
Storm damage roof reports for homes and businesses in Watermill
The Financial Ombudsman looks at three things when it considers a storm damage complaint: whether there were storm conditions around the date, whether the damage fits a storm, and whether the storm was the main cause. We record what the roof shows about the damage and its likely cause. You or your insurer can check the weather for the date. Typical surveys look at water coming in after the storm and damaged pots on the stack, across chimney stacks, flashings and flat roofs.
Many homes in small places like Watermill face open ground, where storms hit ridges, verges and chimneys hardest. Once water gets into older walls, it takes a long time to dry, so it pays to find the cause quickly. A record with photos is useful if you need to show the damage to anyone else.
The report doesn’t just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Place
- Watermill (TN39)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey can’t tell you
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Keep these in mind:
- Acting for you with the insurer
- Estimates of repair costs
- Areas we cannot see safely
If you’re 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. The full list of what we check.
What we check
- Slate and tile slopes
- Ridges and hips
- Gutters and fascias
- Chimney stacks
- Flat roofs
- Flashings
Storm damage roof reports around Watermill
Watermill lies within about 3 miles of the sea, so there is more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Driving rain off the sea can be pushed into gaps that stay dry in calmer weather, while salt slowly corrodes metal fixings and flashings. Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs, and oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses are part of East Sussex’s older buildings. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it’s detailed.
For landlords with property near Crowhurst station, finding the cause of a leak fast keeps a tenant’s home dry and the work focused. Living close to Highwoods is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn.
Watermill is about 2 miles north of Bexhill-on-Sea, in East Sussex. Watermill is part of the area we cover across London and South East England. Across East Sussex, we cover Watermill and the places around it. There’s also a page for Brighton.
Storm damage roof reports in TN39 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you are just outside Watermill, we cover Lunsford's Cross (1 mile west), Sidley (1 mile south), Catsfield (2 miles north), Bexhill-on-Sea (2 miles south) and Ninfield (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (10 miles south-west), Hastings (4 miles east), Hailsham (9 miles west), St Leonards (4 miles east), Polegate (10 miles west) and Hastings Old Town (6 miles east).
Around Watermill
Around Watermill, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Highwoods. Watermill’s nearest station is Crowhurst station, about 1.9 miles north-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Bexhill Costume And Social History Museum (2.3 miles south) and Bexhill Hospital (1.8 miles south). Open spaces near Watermill include Senlac Hill and Gillham Wood.
What happens on the day
We look at the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the roof space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. The whole visit normally takes about 1–2 hours for a house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Older roofs in small places like Watermill can have low, tight loft spaces, so it is useful to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- 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 roof space where it’s safe.
- The damage is recorded with photos, 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 photos for you to share with your insurer.
Before we arrive
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
How to book
Storm damage roof report starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.
Read more
Nearby places to Watermill
What else we do in Watermill
Surveys for landlords and agents in Watermill
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Watermill. To discuss a property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Bigger roofs take more time.
Before and after the survey
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- File receipts for anything you pay for
- Write down when the storm hit and when you noticed damage
- Check your policy for how to report damage
- Don’t go onto the roof to take pictures
You will need a roofer’s quote for the repairs. They can use our report to see what needs doing.
Keep the roof in good order between storms. Have loose slates, tiles and flashings seen to promptly.
Different roofs, different checks
Lead flashings
Lifted flashings let rain run behind them into the roof. We note where this has happened and any damp inside.
Flat roof coverings
Lifted trims and laps are common after a storm. We look at whether the damage is recent or older.
When to book a survey in Watermill
Others book after an insurer has queried a claim. You get an independent record of what the roof shows. We cannot say whether the decision will change.
Problems we come across often include:
- Damaged gutters and fascias
- New damp or leaks inside
- Slipped or missing slates or tiles
- Loose or torn flashings
Anyone responsible for a site like Bexhill High Academy will know that a leak through a large roof is often found some distance from where the water shows inside.
What to check before booking
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- How soon the report will arrive
Watermill: your questions answered
Will you come out to Watermill?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
How do I find out if my home in Watermill is listed?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
What wind speed counts as a storm?
It depends on your policy. Many use gusts of about 55 mph, but each policy sets its own definition. Your policy document will say.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first. Let us know about it when booking and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Can you put a tarpaulin over the damage?
Emergency temporary protection is a job for a roofer. Photograph the damage first if you can do so safely. We can record the damage in our report.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.