London and the South East

Electronic Leak Detection in Essex

Electronic leak detection in all 644 towns and villages of Essex, with prices that include VAT and surveys on weekdays and weekends.

Book electronic leak detection in Essex

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Electronic leak detection across Essex

What it covers: electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes. Pick your town below to see the details for your area, or get in touch to book a survey.

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Postcode areas we cover

Electronic leak detection in Essex: how it works

A leak in a flat roof frequently shows up a long way from where the water gets in. So the stain inside rarely sits under the hole. Electronic leak detection tests the membrane itself, to find where it has been breached. We test and report and leave the repair to your roofer. On a suitable roof, it takes the guesswork out of finding the hole. We then send you the results in a written report. We’re frequently asked to look into leaks through a covered membrane and damage from equipment installers, on single-ply roofs, flat roof membranes and roof terraces and balconies.

Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take a length of time set by the size of the roof and how it’s built, which we set out in the quote.

You let us know about the roof and where water is showing.
The roof is assessed for suitability first.
The test method is chosen to suit the roof.
The membrane is tested and breaches are found.
A report with photographs shows where each breach is.

How our prices work

What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how safely it can be seen. We quote electronic leak detection for each roof, as the method and time depend on the roof.

Why book with us

More than 5,000 surveys completed
PI and public liability insurance
An independent look at the roof
Photos and a written report every time

How to book

Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.

What’s near Colchester

Around Colchester, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Church of St Peter, Bull Meadow and The Bay And Say Public House, among other places. You will also find Colchester Sixth Form College (less than half a mile north-west) and St John's Green Primary School (within half a mile south). There’s a railway station in Colchester itself: Colchester Town station. Nearby you’ll also find Lion Walk (within half a mile south-east) and Essex County Hospital (within half a mile south-west). For a walk, there’s Westhouse Wood.

Electronic leak detection across Essex: local notes

Across Essex, flat roofs over kitchens, garages and dormers are often the first part of a home to leak. Lifespans vary: felt frequently around 15–20 years, EPDM around 30–50 and GRP up to about 30.

Even in the South East, autumn and winter storms find any loose slate, tile or ridge. In Essex, as elsewhere, exposed details are where damage shows first. In the coastal parts of Essex, the seaward side of a roof takes the most weather, and that is where ridges, verges and flashings normally show it first.

Colchester: The streets around a church such as Church of St Peter are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof. Take a building like Colchester Sixth Form College: a large flat roof with a good many outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail.

What affects the cost of electronic leak detection

The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:

How big the roof is
How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see

Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. You will know the figure before booking.

Getting in touch

Getting the details right at the start saves time. Please include:

Anything about access we should know
Any marks or damp showing indoors
When you need the report by
The style of property, from a terrace to a block

Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or email us, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. You will have a price before anything is arranged.

Leave it or get it looked at?

Water trapped under a membrane can soak insulation and decking. Finding the breach sooner limits that.

Questions to ask before booking

Whether the price includes VAT
What happens after the report arrives
How they plan to inspect the roof safely
Will the report include photos?

Checking the roof from ground level

After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.

What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.

Practical tips

Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:

Keep outlets clear of debris
Share any drawings of the roof
Stay off the flat roof unless needed
Ask contractors to protect the membrane

If water has been getting in, insulation under the membrane may be wet. That is something to discuss with your roofer and other checks can help judge it.

Keep outlets and gutters on flat roofs clear. Water that sits on the roof finds breaches faster.

Common roof problems in Essex

Roofs covered with paving, ballast or planting hide the membrane. ELD can work on some covered roofs, depending on the build-up.

Common reasons to book include:

Punctures from foot traffic or tools
Leaks under green or ballasted roofs
Leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause
Breaches around outlets and penetrations

Essex: your questions answered

Is this a RICS survey?

No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you’ll need a RICS survey as well.

Do you climb onto every roof?

Only when it’s safe. Safety comes first, and fragile or steep roofs can’t always be walked on. We use safe viewpoints, the roof space and a drone where it applies.

Is the repair part of the test?

No, the test finds the breaches and your roofer repairs them. Your roofer uses the report to target the repair.

What is electronic leak detection?

ELD passes a small electrical current across the roof to locate holes in the membrane. The current only gets through where the membrane is breached so we can pinpoint it.

How much does electronic leak detection cost?

We quote for each roof individually. Tell us about the roof and where it leaks. Just ring 07833 053749 or email us for a quote.

Which method do you use?

The roof decides the method. You’ll know which method we plan to use before we start.

What’s the best way to book?

Simply ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day, weekday or weekend.