West Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in Hambrook, West Sussex
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out thermal roof surveys in Hambrook and across West Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Damp that repairs haven’t cured
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
Thermal roof survey in Hambrook
On a flat roof, wet insulation holds heat longer than dry insulation. So a wet patch can show as a warmer or cooler area on the camera. This can give an idea of how far water has travelled beneath the membrane, something you can’t typically tell from the surface. We then check those areas with moisture readings. Typical surveys look at moisture around outlets and upstands and possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering, on ceilings below the roof, insulated roof spaces and flat roofs.
In a village or hamlet like Hambrook, roofs can be steep, old and hard to see from the lane. A drone and a thermal camera each give a view you can’t get from the ground. Both the forecast and the airspace are checked first, and the journey is planned ahead of time. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
The report records the roof as we found it on the day. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, for example when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Place
- Hambrook (PO18)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What a thermal roof survey does not cover
A survey is a careful look at the roof, but it cannot do everything. The main limits are:
- Insulation values or heat loss calculations
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- Hidden layers that need to be opened up to check
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll point you to the right survey. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flat roofs
- Commercial roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
- Loft conversions
- Insulated roof spaces
- Pitched roof slopes
Before and after the survey
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Talk to us about the weather when booking
- Keep dated photos of any marks on ceilings
- Keep the heating on as usual before a heat loss survey
- File the images with your roof records
We note the weather and surface conditions, and how they may have affected the results. It helps you judge how firm each finding is.
Deal with small splits and lifted seams promptly. Once water gets under a membrane, it can travel far before it appears inside.
What happens on the day
When we arrive, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you want to find out. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen. The survey normally takes an hour or two at most homes, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Older rural homes like those around Hambrook can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- You tell us about the roof and any damp, leaks or cold rooms.
- We check the conditions and note how they may affect the images.
- A full inspection and thermal imaging are carried out together.
- Moisture readings are used to check what the camera shows.
- The Premium report reaches you the same day, and we go through it with you in person.
Preparing for the visit
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Getting a price
To book a survey, phone 07833 053749 or email us and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price before booking.
Related advice
Also near Hambrook
More services for Hambrook
DIY checks: what’s safe
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Flying and imaging in Hambrook
The coast is about 3 miles or less from Hambrook, and wind off the sea can be strong. Thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof surface and little wind, so the date is chosen with the forecast in mind. If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Take a building like Chidham Parochial Primary School: thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof. With Warblington Castle about 3.8 miles west, the area around Hambrook has a long history. Close-up aerial shots and thermal images let an old roof be checked without anyone disturbing it.
Hambrook is about 5 miles west of Chichester, in West Sussex. From houses to flats and shops in Hambrook, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. Across West Sussex, we cover Hambrook. We also survey roofs in Portsmouth.
All of PO18 is within our area for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. That includes homes and businesses on Kingfisher Close, Dragonfly Grove and Pipistrelle Way. Other places close to Hambrook include Nutbourne (1 mile south), Funtington (1 mile north-east), West Ashling (1 mile east), Chidham (1 mile south) and Racton (2 miles north). We also work in nearby towns such as Bognor Regis (10 miles south-east), Chichester (5 miles east), Selsey (9 miles south-east), Emsworth (3 miles west), Portfield (5 miles east) and Yapton (12 miles east).
Landmarks near Hambrook
Typical jobs here are in homes near Bourne Community College. Hambrook’s nearest station is Nutbourne station, about 0.6 miles south of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Havant War Memorial Hospital (4.7 miles west) and Emsworth Museum (2.5 miles west). Not far away are Nutborne Marshes and Stoke Down.
Common questions in Hambrook
Do you carry out roof surveys in Hambrook?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Hambrook as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Is my home in Hambrook listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
How long is the visit?
It typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. The written report follows by email, on the timescale of your package.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it is applicable. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and we can provide details if a managing agent needs them.
Does thermal imaging detect leaks directly?
No, not on its own. It shows temperature, and wet materials often behave differently from dry ones. That is why we check any patterns with moisture readings.
Does the weather affect a thermal survey?
The weather makes a real difference. A sunny day beforehand, a dry surface and calm air all help. Rain and strong wind can make the images less clear, so we discuss the forecast when booking.
For landlords and managing agents
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.
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client, photos included.
Signs you need a thermal roof survey in Hambrook
Cold rooms under a roof, or high heating bills, lead some people to ask about heat loss. Missing or slipped insulation can stand out as temperature differences, particularly when there is a clear difference between inside and outside.
Problems we come across frequently include:
- Water getting in at parapets and stacks
- Damp patches with no obvious cause
- Areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions
- Water that travels before it shows
For an older house near a landmark such as St Wilfrid's Church and Hall, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
What to check before booking
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Their report turnaround times
- Their insurance cover
- Whether VAT is added on top