West Sussex · London and the South East
Racton Thermal Roof Survey
Thermal roof surveys in Racton, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photographs.
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
- Leaks that are hard to trace
- Damp that repairs haven’t cured
About our thermal roof survey in Racton
On a flat roof, wet insulation holds heat longer than dry insulation. That means a wet area can show up as a different temperature from the rest of the roof. It helps us see how far water may have spread under the covering, something you cannot usually tell from the surface. Moisture readings are then used to check what the camera suggests. We are frequently asked to look into thin or uneven insulation in the roof and patches of heat loss across the roof, across commercial roofs, insulated roof spaces and loft conversions.
Villages like Racton frequently stand in open country, where wind can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. The visit is planned around the forecast, along with the journey and access. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
Where we can’t see part of the roof, the report says so. You’ll know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Location
- Racton (PO18, PO10)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
GRP fibreglass roofs
GRP surfaces can be shiny, which affects thermal readings. We take that into account and check findings with moisture readings.
Felt and asphalt flat roofs
Felt and asphalt roofs often show wet areas as patches that differ from the rest. We check those patches with moisture readings.
Useful tips for Racton property owners
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Do not switch the heating off before the visit
- Keep a record of when stains appear
- Take photos of stains as they appear, so we can compare
- Ask us about the forecast if rain is expected
If you’re buying, the report gives you specific points to raise with the seller or agent. It’s your decision how to use it, whether you ask for work before completion or discuss the price.
Watch for new damp patches on ceilings beneath the roof. Catching a leak early stops insulation getting soaked.
Common roof problems in Racton
Unexplained damp is one of the main reasons people ask for thermal imaging. Water can travel under a roof covering or along timbers before it shows inside. Temperature patterns can help narrow down where to look.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
- Areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions
- Gaps in loft insulation
- Damp where roofs meet walls and chimneys
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Racton Church, steep roofs, tall chimneys and hidden valleys can be hard to see from the ground, and that is where a view from the air or with a thermal camera helps.
Before booking anyone
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Will the report include photos?
- What experience they bring
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
FAQs for Racton
Do you cover smaller places like Racton?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Do you cover Racton?
Yes. Our area covers London and South East England, and Racton is part of that. Just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us about the property.
Does the report include photographs?
Yes. The report includes photos of what we found, so you can see each point for yourself.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Is thermal imaging useful on pitched roofs?
It can help, but the results are often less clear than on a flat roof. Slates and tiles over a ventilated space can mask what’s below, so we also look from the loft where it is safe.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day. Just say which days work for you.
How quickly is the report sent?
That depends on the survey you book: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. The report is emailed to you.
What we cannot see
Before booking, it’s worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- A formal energy assessment
- Proving moisture from the images alone
- Clear results when the conditions on the day are poor
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will recommend the right survey before you book. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Ceilings below the roof
- Insulated roof spaces
- Commercial roofs
- Pitched roof slopes
- Loft conversions
- Flat roofs
Places near Racton
Other services in Racton
Can I check my roof myself?
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
You can learn a lot from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
What we do, step by step
Once we have finished looking, we write up our findings in a report with photos, sent to you by email. On timing, most surveys take about one to two hours at a typical home, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. For a village or hamlet like Racton, the journey is planned in advance: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from the loft where there’s safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- We start with the roof, its history and any signs of damp or heat loss.
- 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.
- You get the report the same day, with an in-person consultation to follow.
Preparing for the visit
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
Booking a survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.
Advice
What a thermal roof survey looks like in Racton
Racton is within about 3 miles of the coast. 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. Historic houses like Warblington Castle, about 3.9 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Racton goes. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If you look after a building such as Bourne Community College, a view from above covers a wide roof far faster than walking it.
Racton is about 3 miles north-east of Emsworth, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in Racton across London and South East England. Our West Sussex coverage includes Racton. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
Here we cover the PO18 and PO10 postcode area for thermal roof surveys. We also cover the places around Racton: Lordington (1 mile north), Walderton (1 mile north-east), Funtington (1 mile east), Hambrook (2 miles south) and West Ashling (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (11 miles south-east), Chichester (6 miles south-east), Selsey (11 miles south-east), Emsworth (3 miles south-west), Portfield (6 miles south-east) and Yapton (13 miles east).
Around Racton
Around Racton, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Stansted Park, among other places. The nearest railway station is Southbourne station, about 2.1 miles south. Nearby you’ll also find Emsworth Museum (2.8 miles south-west) and Havant War Memorial Hospital (4.4 miles west). For a walk, there is Walderton Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.