East Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in Ripe
Thermal imaging to find moisture and heat loss patterns in a roof in Ripe, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Ceilings that feel colder in places
- Moisture around outlets and upstands
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
What happens on the day
We look at the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there is safe access, from inside the loft space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. The whole visit typically takes between one and two hours for most homes, plus time to check any thermal findings with moisture readings. Older rural homes like those around Ripe 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, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- We go through the roof, the problem and the weather expected on the day.
- The roof is inspected visually from safe positions.
- 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.
Preparing for the visit
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
Getting a price
For a price for thermal roof surveys in Ripe, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us price the survey accurately.
Related advice
How a thermal roof survey works in Ripe
Thermal imaging is part of our Premium Survey, which starts from £400. You also get a drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and a report on the same day. There is an in-person consultation as well, plus a follow-up 12 months later. You can ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address and a note of what you’ve noticed. For big commercial roofs, we quote on size and access. We’re frequently asked to look into leaks that are hard to trace and wet insulation beneath the membrane, across pitched roof slopes, flat roofs and commercial roofs.
Some older homes in villages like Ripe are listed or in a conservation area. Neither a drone survey nor a thermal survey involves any work on the roof, so it’s a gentle way to see the condition of an old roof, before anyone decides what work it needs. Check with the council before planning any work on a listed building or one in a conservation area.
Findings are set out part by part, from the coverings down to the gutters, each with a short note and a photo. It records what’s sound as well as what isn’t.
- Location
- Ripe (BN8)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Leave the roof to people with safe access
- Keep the heating on as usual before a heat loss survey
- Clear a path to the loft hatch before we arrive
- Use the report as a baseline for later checks
After the visit, we put the thermal images, photographs and moisture readings into one report. Each image is explained in plain words, with our recommendations. With a Premium Survey, you get the report the same day.
Watch for new damp patches on ceilings beneath the roof. Early action keeps insulation from staying wet.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Thermal images can suggest the extent of wet areas without cutting into the roof. It helps when deciding whether to patch an area or replace the roof. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £400, including VAT. We confirm the price for the job before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Ripe
- Package prices that include VAT
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Surveys seven days a week
See our cost guide or two real surveys.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Ripe
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, putting the urgent items at the top.
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Ripe. To discuss a property or a block, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Your questions about thermal roof surveys in Ripe
Do you cover Ripe?
Yes, Ripe is within the area we cover. We work right across London and South East England. You can ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address and some details, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Is my home in Ripe listed or in a conservation area?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
Can you check my loft insulation with a thermal camera?
The camera can point to heat loss and gaps in insulation. We do not give energy ratings or heat loss calculations, but the images show where improvements may help.
Does thermal imaging detect leaks directly?
No, not on its own. It shows temperature, and wet materials often behave differently from dry ones. We confirm what it suggests with moisture readings.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. If one is needed, the report says so.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes, plenty. Each finding is shown in a picture where possible, which makes the report easy to follow.
Airspace, weather and Ripe roofs
With Charleston Farmhouse about 2.3 miles south-west, Ripe sits in an area with a long building history. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Ripe is about 5 miles west of Hailsham, in East Sussex. From houses to flats and shops in Ripe, the roof can be surveyed. Ripe is one of the towns and villages in East Sussex where we work for thermal roof surveys. We also survey roofs in Brighton.
We survey roofs across BN8 for thermal roof surveys and the streets around it. You’ll find streets like Carriage Mews, Channers Lane and Church Lane. We also cover the places around Ripe: Selmeston (2 miles south), Wickstreet (2 miles south-east), Laughton (2 miles north), Golden Cross (2 miles north-east) and Berwick (2 miles south). Further out, we also cover Eastbourne (8 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (14 miles east), Seaford (7 miles south), Lewes (6 miles west), Hailsham (5 miles east) and Crowborough (13 miles north).
Around Ripe
Around Ripe, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Lamb Inn, among other places. The closest station to Ripe is Berwick (Sussex) station, about 2.2 miles south-east. Nearby you’ll also find Hellingly Hospital Railway (5.1 miles east) and Museum of Agricultural Bygones (3 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Firle Beacon.
Also in Ripe
Can I check my roof myself?
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Do not go up yourself.
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
When to book a survey in Ripe
Flat roofs that have leaked for a while can have wet insulation under the covering. Knowing how much of the roof is affected helps decide between a local repair and more. Thermal images and moisture readings together can show the likely extent.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Wet insulation beneath the membrane
- Cold spots on ceilings under the roof
- Moisture around outlets and upstands
- Areas losing heat at the eaves and junctions
If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
Questions to ask before booking
- How long the report takes to arrive
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Are they insured for the work?
- Will the report include photos?