West Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Balcombe Lane
Thermal roof surveys in Balcombe Lane from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Stains that keep coming back
- Damp around chimneys and parapets
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
Airspace, weather and Balcombe Lane roofs
Historic houses such as Tyes Place, about 3 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Balcombe Lane goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from ground level, drone photos and thermal images add detail.
Anyone responsible for a site like Balcombe CofE Controlled Primary School will know that a drone or thermal camera can show a large roof in a single visit. If you run a business near County Mall, large commercial roofs are often easiest to see by drone or thermal camera.
Balcombe Lane is about 4 miles south-east of Crawley, in West Sussex. We visit Balcombe Lane as part of our work across West Sussex. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages.
Here we cover the RH17 postcode area for thermal roof surveys. We also cover the places around Balcombe Lane: 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). Further out, 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).
What’s near Balcombe Lane
Around Balcombe Lane, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Oriel High School, among other places. The nearest railway station is Balcombe station, roughly 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). Not far away are Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
Thermal roof surveys for homes and businesses in Balcombe Lane
A thermal survey is not a quick fix for every roof problem. Sun, shade, reflective surfaces and wind can all change what the camera shows. We back up the images with moisture readings and a careful look at the roof. The report is clear about what the images show and what they do not. If a finding cannot be confirmed, the report suggests a next step. We survey commercial roofs, loft conversions and pitched roof slopes, and the problems we are asked to look at most are wet areas near outlets and upstands and stains that keep coming back.
Somewhere as small as Balcombe Lane, older roofs are frequently steep and partly hidden by trees or outbuildings. A drone and a thermal camera each give a view you can’t get from ground level. Weather and airspace are looked at before the visit. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
The report does not just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Where
- Balcombe Lane (RH17)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Parapets, valleys and junctions
Junctions where roofs meet walls, parapets and valleys are common places for water to get in. The camera can help show damp around these junctions.
Pitched slate and tile roofs
On pitched roofs, slates and tiles over a ventilated space can mask what’s happening underneath. We back up what the camera shows with a look in the loft where we can.
Do you need a thermal roof survey in Balcombe Lane?
Building owners and managing agents use thermal surveys to plan work on larger flat roofs. Patterns can point to wet areas and show which parts look sound, so we know where to take moisture readings.
Look out for signs like these:
- Missing or slipped insulation
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
- Water getting in at parapets and stacks
- Damp that repairs haven’t cured
The streets around a church such as The Parish Church of St Mary are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where aerial photos and thermal images help.
What to check before booking
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
Towns and villages near Balcombe Lane
What else we do in Balcombe Lane
Common questions in Balcombe Lane
Is my home in Balcombe Lane listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Balcombe Lane?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Balcombe Lane as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
How experienced are you?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, over more than 20 years, with 98% customer satisfaction.
How fast do I get the report?
Each package has its own report time. Basic: within 48 hours. Standard: 24 to 48 hours. Premium: the same day. If you have a deadline, such as an exchange date, let us know when booking.
What happens after the survey?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
How does a thermal imaging roof survey work?
The images show how warm or cool each part of the surface is. Unusual patterns can point to trapped water, gaps in insulation or heat escaping, which we then check with moisture readings.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes, every report has them. Each finding is shown in a picture where possible.
What we do, step by step
We will ask a few questions first, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. Then the inspection itself takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. Somewhere like Balcombe Lane needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it is safe.
- First we go over the roof, the problem you’ve noticed and the conditions forecast for the visit.
- We check the roof from the ground, from windows and from the roof itself where it’s safe.
- Thermal images are taken to show differences in surface temperature.
- Areas that look unusual on the camera are checked with moisture readings where possible.
- We write up the thermal images alongside ordinary photos and recommendations.
Before the survey
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Let us know about parking before the day
Arrange a survey
When you’re ready to go ahead, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
Read more
Why get it checked now?
Repeated repairs that do not stop a leak are a sign the source hasn’t been traced. Thermal imaging with moisture readings can help narrow it down, instead of trying repair after repair. For an older or listed building in a place like Balcombe Lane, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so leaving a defect until it’s urgent leaves less time to plan.
There are three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Balcombe Lane
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- An independent view of the roof
- Packages from £150, inc. VAT
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
Read what a roof survey costs and our case studies.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed ahead of time. Surveys run seven days a week, which can make access easier.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
What we cannot see
It’s a careful look at the roof, not the whole story. The main limits are:
- The condition of timbers we cannot see
- Clear results when the conditions on the day are poor
- Proving moisture from the images alone
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flat roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
- Commercial roofs
- Insulated roof spaces
- Pitched roof slopes
- Loft conversions