Free roof checks before solar installation in Brighton
Before the panels arrive, know what is beneath them.
Planning solar panels in Brighton? Let us look at the roof first. We check accessible roof details, use drone views where suitable and look inside safely accessible lofts. The visit is free, with repairs quoted separately.
Free visual check · No obligation · Repairs quoted separately
An installation date is a good reason to check the whole roof
It is easy to concentrate on the part of the roof that will hold the panels. The surrounding details matter too: a chimney, valley, roof window or adjoining wall can allow water to track into the same area.
We check pitched and flat roofs, including visible coverings, roof-edge details and drainage. Where access permits, a look inside the loft can help us understand staining, damaged lining or signs that something needs investigating.
If repairs are needed, you receive a separate written quotation. We explain the proposed work and access before you decide. For properties with shared roofs or adjoining chimneys, let us know who is responsible for the affected areas.
A view from the roofline. A look from the loft.
Roof details above street level
Brighton terraces can hide rear slopes, chimney junctions and valleys from the pavement. Where a flight is suitable, drone photographs help us look at those areas and explain any visible concerns before your solar installation.
Flights depend on weather, the site and local restrictions. We confirm the inspection approach when arranging your free check.
Our drone roof assessmentsThe clues on the inside
If the loft is safely accessible, we look for water marks, damaged underlay and visible timber concerns. Let us know about converted lofts, shared roof spaces and any places that cannot be reached safely.
Tell us about loft access before the visit. We assess what is safely visible without lifting roof coverings or disturbing concealed materials.
Drone photographs and loft observations support a visual roof-condition check. Your solar installer must still arrange the assessments needed for their proposed system.
Small details. Useful clues.
A few examples of faults that can be worth putting right before solar panels make the roof harder to reach.
A crack through the covering
A damaged tile or slate is worth checking alongside those around it. We look for displacement and local wear so the repair deals with the affected area properly.
Gaps beneath the ridge
Missing bedding and weathered ridge joints can leave parts of the roof needing repair. Hips, verges and visible fixings are included in the same review.
Lead pulling away from brickwork
The junction between roof and wall needs to shed water reliably. We look for open edges, splits and poorly seated flashing around chimneys and abutments.
Wear hidden from the street
A loft view can reveal torn underlay or water staining that cannot be seen outside. We only assess exposed materials; hidden battens and fixings may need a separate investigation.
A valley holding debris
Leaves and moss can collect where roof slopes meet. We consider obstructions, the visible valley lining and nearby tiles when discussing drainage or leaks.
An opening in a flat-roof seam
Lifted felt laps, worn edges and persistent puddles call for a closer look. We also consider the visible upstands and outlets around the proposed panel area.
Water escaping at the eaves
An overflowing gutter or separated joint can wet the roofline and wall below. Eaves support, visible gutter falls and rainwater outlets form part of the check.
Weathering around a chimney pot
Cracked flaunching and open pointing can allow water into a stack. We look at the visible masonry, pots and surrounding roof junctions before recommending work.
Each roof is assessed on its own condition. These are examples of the details to check; finding one defect does not automatically mean the whole roof needs replacing.
What your Brighton roof check covers
Tiles, slates and previous repairs
Visible cracks, displacement, wear, missing coverings and the condition of earlier patch repairs.
Ridges, hips and verges
Visible mortar, dry-fix details, movement and concerns about the security of roof edges.
Chimneys and masonry
Accessible pointing, flaunching, pots, cappings and signs of deterioration.
Leadwork and roof junctions
Visible flashings, abutments, chimney junctions and details around adjoining roofs.
Felt, battens and roof timbers
Underlay, staining and timber concerns where exposed and safely accessible; concealed parts need further investigation.
Valleys, gutters and eaves
Obstructions, visible drainage defects, outlets, gutter joints and roof-edge support details.
Flat roofs and extensions
Visible covering wear, laps, edges, upstands, outlets and signs of persistent ponding.
Roof windows, dormers and parapets
Accessible flashings, coverings, wall junctions and surrounding drainage details.
Leaks, moisture and ventilation
Reported leaks, visible damp or condensation clues and accessible ventilation details.
Roof condition and future access
Overall visible wear, the proposed panel area and roofing work worth considering before access changes.
Four steps before the panels arrive
Tell us about the property
Send the address and solar installation plans, together with any photos of leaks or existing damage.
We look over the roof
The free visual check covers accessible roof details, with loft observations or drone views where appropriate.
We explain the options
You get practical advice on visible issues and a separate quotation for any recommended roofing work.
Agree the next step
If work is accepted, we can coordinate roofing access and timing with your installer, subject to both teams’ availability.
What happens after the check?
The visible roof looks serviceable
We tell you what was inspected and which parts could not be seen. The installer still needs their system-specific checks.
A local repair is sensible
We set out the proposed roofing work and its price, so you can consider it before installation.
More information is needed
An inaccessible detail or possible structural concern may need a separate investigation before advice can be confirmed.
Across Brighton, Hove and the nearby coast
Send us the address whether you are in a central terrace, a converted property or a detached house outside the centre. Let us know about shared access, parking restrictions or a roof above a rear extension when booking.
- Hanover
- Kemptown
- Seven Dials
- Preston Park
- Patcham
- Hollingbury
- Withdean
- Westdene
- Woodingdean
- Whitehawk
- Moulsecoomb
- Bevendean
- Ovingdean
- Rottingdean
- Saltdean
- Hove
- Portslade
Looking elsewhere in Sussex?
Brighton roof check questions
Does the Brighton roof check cost anything?
The pre-installation visual check is free. Repairs are optional and quoted separately. Any further investigation or access with a cost is explained before you agree to it.
Will you check the loft and use a drone?
We check safely accessible loft spaces and use drone photographs where appropriate. A flight depends on the site, weather and restrictions. These views help us assess visible roofing condition; they do not replace a structural assessment.
My installer has already looked at the roof. Can you still help?
Yes. A roofing check can provide another view of the covering, junctions and visible defects. Share any concerns or photographs from the installer so we can look at the relevant areas.
Do you inspect flat roofs as well as tiled roofs?
Yes. We look at accessible pitched and flat-roof coverings, including slate, tiles and flat-roof details such as laps, edges, upstands and drainage.
Can you check a shared roof or chimney?
We can discuss the accessible areas with you. Tell us about shared ownership or access, and arrange any permissions needed before the visit or subsequent work.
Will this approve the roof structure for the panel load?
No. The free check concerns visible roofing condition. The solar installer remains responsible for arranging the appropriate system-specific structural assessment and design.
What about a listed building or conservation area?
Tell us when you enquire. Permissions and any restrictions affecting roof alterations or solar panels need checking with the relevant planning authority before work begins.
Book your free Brighton roof check
A postcode, a few roof details and your planned solar date are enough to get started.
Photographs and a proposed panel layout are helpful if you have them. Only send photos taken from a safe position.
WhatsApp opens a message for you to review and send. Appointment times depend on availability and safe access.