East Sussex · London and the South East
Thermal Roof Survey in South Malling
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you decide what to do next. Thermal roof surveys in South Malling, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Water getting in at parapets and stacks
- Patches of heat loss across the roof
- Possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering
Thermal roof survey in South Malling: what you get
Thermal imaging is useful when a damp patch has no clear cause. Water can travel some distance under a roof covering before it shows inside, and the camera can show patterns that help us follow it. We combine the images with a visual inspection and moisture readings, so the findings do not rely on the camera alone. If you are worried about possible trapped moisture under a flat roof covering and damp that repairs haven’t cured, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Even in a smaller place like South Malling, there may be airfields or restrictions nearby, so the Drone Safety Map is checked before any flight. Exposed sites can be windy, and a small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind. Each flight is planned with neighbours’ privacy in mind, as well as the airspace and the wind.
The written findings come by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Location
- South Malling (BN7, BN8)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Prices
- From £400 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Common questions in South Malling
Does a conservation area affect roof work in South Malling?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Will you come out to South Malling?
Yes, South Malling is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where applicable and safe. We fly a sub-250g drone and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). It’s included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where applicable, the Premium Survey.
Are you insured?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and details are available on request.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are frequently shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Can you use a thermal camera on a sloping roof?
It can help, but the results are frequently less clear than on a flat roof. The air space under slates and tiles can hide patterns, so we combine it with an inspection from the loft where there is safe access.
Will thermal imaging find my leak?
It can help narrow down where water may be getting in. Patterns can suggest where trapped water has spread. We combine it with a visual inspection and moisture readings, as the camera alone can’t prove a leak.
What happens on the day
There isn’t much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, like stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will take it from there. A typical survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for a house; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. With a bit of garden around a house, as there often is around South Malling, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Mention any side of the property we can’t get to. Inside, the loft is checked where it can be reached safely.
- We start by discussing the roof, any signs of damp and how the weather may affect the images.
- We look at the roof from the ground, from windows and from the roof itself where it is safe.
- A thermal camera records how the surface temperature varies across the roof.
- Any patterns of interest are checked with moisture readings where we can reach them.
- We write up the thermal images alongside ordinary photos and recommendations.
Before the survey
- Let us know about parking near the property
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
Book a survey
Our price is from £400, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form to find out.
Advice
Tips from our surveys
You don’t need to be a roofer to help. Here’s what helps most:
- Clear a path to the loft hatch before we arrive
- Ask us about the forecast if rain is expected
- Use the report as a baseline for later checks
- Tell us where and when you’ve seen damp or stains
Many people send the report to roofers, who can then quote for the areas shown. Because the images are paired with photos, it is easy to find each area on the roof.
Keep outlets and gutters clear so water drains off the roof quickly. Less standing water means less chance of it getting under the covering.
More services for South Malling
What a thermal roof survey does not cover
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- Readings unaffected by sun, shade or reflections
- Hidden layers that need to be opened up to check
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Loft conversions
- Insulated roof spaces
- Pitched roof slopes
- Flat roofs
- Commercial roofs
- Ceilings below the roof
Should I look at the roof myself first?
It helps to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when booking, as it helps us focus the survey.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Thermal roof surveys in South Malling: local notes
Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs, and the county’s older buildings include oast houses and Wealden hall houses. Older coverings on steep or tall roofs are hard to judge from below, so close-up close-up aerial shots and thermal images help. If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
Anne of Cleves House lies about 0.8 miles south-west, so building around South Malling goes back a long way. For older roofs nearby, a look from above or with a thermal imager is a hands-off way to check condition. If you look after a building such as South Malling CofE Primary and Nursery School, thermal images can show where wet insulation sits under a big flat roof.
South Malling is about 1 mile north-east of Lewes, in East Sussex. Surveys in South Malling work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photographs and a written report. Our area takes in places right across East Sussex, large and small. Brighton is in our area too.
All of BN7 and BN8 is within our area for thermal roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Streets in the area include Lee Road, New Road and Mill Road, all of which we cover. South Malling sits on or near the A26 and A2029, which makes travel easy. Other places close to South Malling include Lewes (1 mile south-west), Cliffe (1 mile south-east), Southover (1 mile south), Hamsey (1 mile north) and Offham (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (14 miles south-east), Seaford (8 miles south-east), Hailsham (11 miles east), Crowborough (14 miles north-east), Uckfield (7 miles north-east) and Newhaven (6 miles south).
Around South Malling
Around South Malling, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Elephant and Castle pub, Priory School and Railway Land and the streets around them. South Malling’s nearest station is Lewes station, roughly 0.7 miles south. Well-known places in the area include Lewes Victoria Hospital (0.8 miles south-west) and Lewes Castle (0.5 miles south-west). Not far away are Malling Down and Cliffe Hill.
Do you need a thermal roof survey in South Malling?
On big commercial and residential flat roofs, thermal imaging helps owners plan. It can suggest which areas may be wet and which seem dry, so moisture readings can be targeted.
A survey can pick up problems like:
- Damp where roofs meet walls and chimneys
- Cold areas below the roof
- Stains that keep coming back
- Gaps in loft insulation
Hotels and guest houses near South Malling cannot easily close rooms for a leak, so it’s worth knowing the roof’s condition.
Before booking anyone
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
Why act early in South Malling
Buyers get extra information from thermal images that the eye can miss. Finding hidden moisture before exchange gives you facts to raise with the seller. With lower homes, common in places like South Malling, there is little between a roof defect and the ceiling, so a small leak can mark a ceiling within a few storms. Catching the cause first saves redecorating as well.
Every price we give includes VAT. Prices start from £400, including VAT. We confirm the exact price before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in South Malling
- Clear package prices, with VAT included
- Plain-English reports with photos
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.