East Sussex · London and the South East
Selmeston Thermal Roof Survey
Thermal imaging to find moisture and heat loss patterns in a roof in Selmeston, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photos.
- Leaks that are hard to trace
- Heat escaping through the roof
- Damp where roofs meet walls and chimneys
Thermal roof survey in Selmeston
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. This can give an idea of how far water has travelled beneath the membrane, something you can’t usually tell from the surface. Moisture readings are then used to check what the camera suggests. Typical surveys look at leaks that are hard to trace and patches of heat loss across the roof, on commercial roofs, ceilings below the roof and loft conversions.
In a small place like Selmeston, open ground can mean strong wind. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with little wind. We plan the journey, access and timing around the weather. If the day turns windy or wet, the visit can be moved.
Findings are set out part by part, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets, each with a short note and a photograph. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Where
- Selmeston (BN26)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Practical tips
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Note where damp appears and after what weather
- Photograph damp patches with the date
- Use the report as a baseline for later checks
- Do not climb onto the roof to look for leaks yourself
If the images suggest moisture that can’t be confirmed, we’ll say what would help next, like electronic leak detection or opening up a small area.
Have small defects in the covering fixed early. Water that gets under a covering can spread a long way before it shows.
Common roof problems in Selmeston
People often book a thermal survey when a damp patch has no obvious cause. A leak may start well away from where the stain appears. The camera helps narrow the search.
Most people get in touch when they’ve noticed one of these:
- Cold areas below the roof
- Gaps in loft insulation
- Areas of a flat roof that may hold water
- Water that travels before it shows
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near The Parish Church of St Mary, older roofs can be steep and hard to see from the street, which is where photos from the air and thermal images help.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Whether VAT is added on top
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
Roof by roof
Single-ply and EPDM roofs
Because these membranes are thin, patterns from below often show. Shiny surfaces can reflect heat, so we take care reading the images.
Loft insulation
The difference is clearest when the home is heated and it’s cold out. We explain in the report how the conditions on the day affected what we saw.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Wet insulation under a flat roof doesn’t dry out on its own while the covering stays on. In time, it stops insulating properly and can damage the deck. Finding the wet areas sooner keeps the work smaller. Around Selmeston, older homes often have old roof timbers, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it is left.
Thermal roof survey starts from £400, including VAT. The final price depends on how big and how high the roof is, how it can safely be seen and the package you choose.
What you get with us
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Over 20 years’ experience
- An independent view of the roof
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
Read how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.
How the survey works
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so you can see in the report what we found and where. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available. A typical visit takes between one and two hours on an ordinary house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. Around Selmeston, 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.
- First we discuss the roof, any damp and the forecast for the visit.
- We look over the roof from wherever it is 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.
Getting ready for the survey
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Getting a price
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and give us some details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Advice
How we price thermal roof surveys
Not every roof costs the same to survey, for these reasons:
- Height and safe access
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- House, block, shop or office
- The shape of the roof and its details
For a price for your roof in Selmeston, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and some details. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What we need to know
You do not need to know any roofing terms. Just let us know:
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Anything about access we should know
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- What kind of property and roof it is
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
More services for Selmeston
Selmeston: your questions answered
Is Selmeston in the area you cover?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Selmeston as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Is my home in Selmeston listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Can you do a thermal survey in any weather?
Conditions on the day affect the results. A sunny day beforehand, a dry surface and calm air all help. Rain, wind and heavy cloud can weaken the patterns, so we discuss the forecast when booking.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We’re covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Only if it is safe. We inspect whatever is safely visible: from ground level, from windows and vantage points, from the loft space, from the roof itself where safe and by drone where applicable. Anything we can’t see is noted in the report.
What can thermal imaging tell me about my roof?
The camera records how the surface temperature varies. The patterns can suggest wet insulation, gaps in insulation or heat escaping. Findings are checked with moisture readings.
Is thermal imaging good for finding leaks?
It can help narrow down where water may be getting in. Water can travel under a covering before it shows inside, and temperature patterns can help follow it. We combine it with a visual inspection and moisture readings, as the camera alone can’t prove a leak.
What a thermal roof survey looks like in Selmeston
If your survey includes the drone, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. About 1.2 miles west lies Charleston Farmhouse, a reminder of how long the area around Selmeston has been built on. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Selmeston is about 5 miles north of Seaford, in East Sussex. Selmeston gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Across East Sussex, we cover Selmeston and the places around it. Our Brighton page covers surveys nearby.
We survey roofs across BN26 for thermal roof surveys. Streets in the area include The Street and Lewes Road. Neighbouring places we cover for thermal roof surveys include Alciston (1 mile south), Berwick (1 mile east), Ripe (2 miles north), Winton (2 miles south) and Wickstreet (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (7 miles south-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (14 miles east), Seaford (5 miles south), Lewes (6 miles west), Hailsham (5 miles east) and Crowborough (14 miles north).
What’s near Selmeston
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Barley Mow pub and the streets around them. The closest station to Selmeston is Berwick (Sussex) station, about 1 mile east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Drusillas Museum (1.8 miles south-east) and Chailey Heritage Marine Hospital (5.3 miles south-west). The countryside around Selmeston includes Firle Beacon.