West Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal imaging roof survey in River, West Sussex
Thermal roof surveys in River, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Leaks that are hard to trace
- Gaps in loft insulation
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
For landlords and managing agents
Where a roof is shared: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you get in touch and we will plan the survey around it.
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the addresses.
How a thermal roof survey works in River
A thermal camera can help when the cause of damp is not obvious. Water can travel some distance under a roof covering before it shows inside, and temperature patterns can help us trace where it may have come from. The images are used alongside a visual inspection and moisture readings, so no conclusion rests on one method alone. If you’ve noticed leaks that are hard to trace and damp patches with no obvious cause, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
In a small place like River, open ground can mean strong wind. A small drone can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. A change in the forecast can mean moving the visit to another day.
Report times depend on the survey you book: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Location
- River (GU28)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
Loft insulation
Loft insulation is easily disturbed when people store things or run cables. Thermal images can show where it has been pushed aside.
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.
Also in River
Drones, thermal imaging and River roofs
Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Where a roof is steep, tall or hard to see from the ground, drone photos and thermal images add detail. Petworth House, about 2.4 miles east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around River. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead.
The streets around a church such as The Parish Church of St Peter are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
River is about 12 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in River and the rest of West Sussex. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex. Our Guildford page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in GU28 is within our area for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Other places close to River include Upperton (1 mile east), Selham (2 miles south), Tillington (2 miles south-east), South Ambersham (2 miles south-west) and Hampers Green (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (14 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Rustington (15 miles south-east), Storrington (11 miles south-east) and Billingshurst (9 miles east).
What’s near River
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Hollist Arms Public House. Other landmarks nearby include Lodsworth Castle (1.3 miles south) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (3 miles south-east). For a walk, there’s Graffham Common and Blackdown.
Before and after the survey
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Photograph damp patches with the date
- Keep the report to compare against after any repair
- Keep outlets and gutters clear to stop water sitting
- Keep the heating on as usual before a heat loss survey
If you are buying, the report gives you specific points to raise with the seller or agent. What you do with it is up to you, whether that’s asking for work or discussing the price.
Have small defects in the covering fixed early. Water that gets under a covering can spread a long way before it shows.
What we do, step by step
On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that is worrying you. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen. Most surveys take an hour or two at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. Around River, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- 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.
- We back up the thermal patterns with moisture readings.
- The Premium report reaches you the same day, and we go through it with you in person.
How to prepare
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
Booking a survey
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from ground level or a window, and please don’t climb up for a closer look. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Advice
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when you book, as it helps us focus the survey.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Don’t go up yourself.
Your questions about thermal roof surveys in River
Will you come out to River?
Yes, we do. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
How do I find out if my home in River is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
Will the survey show heat loss through my roof?
It can show temperature patterns that point to missing or thin insulation. The difference is clearest when the building is heated and it is colder outside. Where we can reach the loft safely, we check there too.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. Photos are taken throughout the survey, and they go into the written report.
How long does the survey take?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof, but most surveys take between one and two hours at a house, including the thermal images, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial roof. The report is sent afterwards by email.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We don’t carry out asbestos surveys or testing. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.
What this survey cannot tell you
This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Hidden layers that need to be opened up to check
- A structural engineer’s assessment
- Insulation values or heat loss calculations
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
What we look at
- Flat roofs
- Commercial roofs
- Pitched roof slopes
- Insulated roof spaces
- Loft conversions
- Ceilings below the roof