East Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Horney Common
Thermal roof surveys in Horney Common from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Leaks far from where the stain appears
- Damp around roof outlets and upstands
- Stains that keep coming back
What we cannot see
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- An energy rating for the building
- Proving moisture from the images alone
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
If you’re 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. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roof types and parts we check
- Loft conversions
- Flat roofs
- Commercial roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
- Pitched roof slopes
- Insulated roof spaces
How a thermal roof survey works in Horney Common
A thermal survey isn’t a quick fix for every roof problem. It shows surface temperature, and things like sun, shade, reflections and wind all affect the readings. We back up the images with moisture readings and a careful look at the roof. Our report says plainly what the camera picked up and how sure we can be. If a finding can’t be confirmed, the report suggests a next step. If you’ve noticed missing or slipped insulation and areas of a flat roof that may hold water, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
In a village or hamlet like Horney Common, roofs can be steep, old and hard to see from the lane. Close-up drone photos and thermal images help show what cannot be reached safely. Weather and airspace are looked at ahead of the visit. Steep slopes and tall chimney stacks are where a close-up view adds the most.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly.
- Where
- Horney Common (TN22)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Also near Horney Common
Other services in Horney Common
FAQs for Horney Common
Do you cover smaller places like Horney Common?
Yes, Horney Common is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
How do I find out if my home in Horney Common 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.
Is thermal imaging useful on pitched roofs?
It can show heat loss and some damp, but it has more limits there. Our report is clear about what can be read from them, and we check them with a visual inspection and moisture readings.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Not unless it is safe. Safe viewpoints, the roof space and a drone where it applies cover most of what’s needed, and anything out of sight is recorded in the report.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes. We photograph the roof as we go, and they go into the written report.
Do you use drones?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
Can thermal imaging show missing insulation?
Thermal images can suggest where heat is escaping and where insulation may be missing. The survey is not an energy rating or a heat loss calculation, but the report shows where to look more closely.
What we do, step by step
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit usually takes an hour or two at a typical home, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Older rural homes like those around Horney Common can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen.
- First we discuss the roof, any damp and the forecast for the visit.
- We look over the roof from wherever it’s safe.
- We take thermal images of the roof and of the loft where we can reach it.
- Patterns that stand out are checked with moisture readings.
- The report pairs each thermal image with a photo and explains what it suggests.
Before we arrive
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Find any records of previous roof work
Arrange a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Advice
Tips that help
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Keep the report to compare against after any repair
- Check outlets after heavy rain
- Check from ground level or a window, never by climbing
- Photograph damp patches with the date
You can pass the report to a roofer so they can see where the problem areas seem to be. Because the images are paired with photos, it’s easy to find each area on the roof.
Keep an eye on ceilings under the roof for new stains. Catching a leak early stops insulation getting soaked.
What a thermal roof survey looks like in Horney Common
If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent.
In and around Horney Common, as anywhere, a roof is easiest to deal with when its problems are found early.
Horney Common is about 3 miles north of Uckfield, in East Sussex. We carry out thermal roof surveys in Horney Common for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings, with a written report and photographs every time. Horney Common is one of the places in East Sussex where we work. There’s also a page for Crawley.
Postcode districts we cover here for thermal roof surveys: TN22. You’ll find streets such as Old Forge Lane and Tylers Lane, all of which we cover. If you are just outside Horney Common, we cover Nutley (2 miles north-west), Duddleswell (2 miles north), Furner's Green (3 miles west), Chelwood Common (3 miles north-west) and Chelwood Gate (4 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Lewes (10 miles south), Hailsham (13 miles south-east), Crowborough (5 miles north-east), Uckfield (3 miles south), Newhaven (15 miles south) and Peacehaven (15 miles south).
What’s near Horney Common
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Foresters Arms. The nearest railway station is Buxted station, about 2.8 miles south-east. Other landmarks nearby include Uckfield Community Hospital (3.5 miles south) and Tickerage Castle (4.3 miles south-east). Open spaces near Horney Common include Brickfield Meadow.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Trapped water can harm decks, timbers and ceilings the longer it stays. Surveying sooner gives you more choice about what to do. Older and listed buildings around Horney Common may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so leaving a defect until it is urgent leaves less time to plan.
Thermal roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we will tell you which fits.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Horney Common
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
- Plain-English reports with photos
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- Over 20 years’ experience
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
Common roof problems in Horney Common
On big commercial and residential flat roofs, thermal imaging helps owners plan. Patterns can point to wet areas and show which parts look sound, so moisture readings can be targeted.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Missing or slipped insulation
- Wet areas near outlets and upstands
- Areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
If you live in an older home near Christ Church, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where close-up aerial shots and thermal images help.
Before booking anyone
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- What the survey won’t cover
- How soon the report will arrive
How the survey changes by roof type
Parapets, valleys and junctions
Parapet and valley gutters can overflow inside a building. Thermal images, checked with moisture readings, can help trace it.
Pitched slate and tile roofs
Thermal images of a pitched roof can still show heat loss patterns and some damp areas. We explain what can and cannot be read from them.