Kent · London and the South East
Electronic Leak Detection in Badlesmere
Electronic leak detection across Badlesmere, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Leaks through a covered membrane
- Repairs that haven’t stopped the leak
- Failed seams and laps
How electronic leak detection works in Badlesmere
Electronic leak detection, or ELD, finds holes in flat roof waterproofing membranes. It uses a small electrical current which can only get through the membrane at a breach. That lets us locate holes that are too small to see, so your roofer can repair them. You get a written report with photographs of each breach found. We survey single-ply roofs, flat roof membranes and roof terraces and balconies, and the problems we are asked to look at most are repairs that haven’t stopped the leak and a flat roof leak that can’t be traced.
In a small place like Badlesmere, a flat roof can stand in the open, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Older felt roofs, often around 15–20 years in life, show it first. EPDM rubber and GRP coverings last longer, but their edges and joints still need checking. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- Badlesmere (ME13)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
After the inspection, everything we found is written up in a report with photographs, sent to you by email. As for time on site, it typically takes a length of time set by the membrane area and the build-up, which we set out in the quote. In a small place like Badlesmere, access is typically the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- 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.
Preparing for the visit
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Keep pets in another room
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
How to book
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Related advice
Signs you need electronic leak detection in Badlesmere
When the membrane is buried, holes cannot be seen at all. Electronic methods can help on some of these roofs though it depends on the layers.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Breaches around outlets and penetrations
- Patched roofs that still leak
- A flat roof leak that cannot be traced
- Leaks under green or ballasted roofs
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Leonard, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof.
Questions to ask before booking
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- How they’ll see the roof: from ground level, the loft, the roof or by drone
- How soon the report will arrive
Surveys for landlords and agents in Badlesmere
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Bigger roofs take more time.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work around your tenants.
Places near Badlesmere
More services for Badlesmere
Badlesmere questions
Is my home in Badlesmere listed or in a conservation area?
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.
Is Badlesmere in the area you cover?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Badlesmere as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it is applicable. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
Do you look in the roof space?
If it is needed and safe to reach, yes. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement, as far as the space allows.
What does electronic leak detection do?
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.
Can every flat roof be tested?
ELD does not suit every roof. Certain membranes are conductive, and some build-ups lack a suitable layer below. If your roof won’t work, we will say so before testing.
How long does electronic leak detection take?
It depends on the size of the roof and its build-up. You will know roughly how long before we start.
What a survey costs
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- The roof’s overall size
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before booking.
Booking your survey
Getting the details right at the start saves time. Please include:
- The property’s address and postcode
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- Dates you’re working to, like exchange
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and give us a few details about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Flat roofs in Badlesmere
With Belmont House and Gardens about 1.9 miles north-west, Badlesmere sits in an area with a long building history. If your house is among the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Older houses across Kent often have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are lots of flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops.
If you look after a building like Sheldwich Primary School, schools and public buildings frequently have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks. For landlords with property near Selling station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Badlesmere is about 4 miles south of Preston, in Kent. We cover Badlesmere and the rest of Kent. Across Kent, we cover Badlesmere. For surveys nearby, see our Canterbury page.
Every address in ME13 is within our area for electronic leak detection. Nearby, we also carry out electronic leak detection in Sheldwich Lees (1 mile north), Sheldwich (1 mile north), Throwley (1 mile west), Throwley Forstal (1 mile west) and North Street (2 miles north). Further out, we also cover Maidstone (15 miles west), Ashford (8 miles south), Canterbury (9 miles east), Sittingbourne (9 miles north-west), Whitstable (9 miles north-east) and Faversham (4 miles north).
Local landmarks in Badlesmere
In Badlesmere, that means homes and buildings near Red Lion pub, among other places. The nearest railway station is Selling station, roughly 2.7 miles north-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Tower keep castle at Chilham (3.4 miles east).
How the survey changes by roof type
Bituminous membranes
Bitumen roofs can frequently be tested electronically though the layers below matter.
Green and ballasted roofs
Testing before planting or ballast goes on is simpler.
Tips that help
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Consider ELD before paving or planting goes on
- Don’t keep patching the same spot
- Share any drawings of the roof
- Check trades protect the waterproofing
The report records each breach location with photos. Your roofer uses it to carry out repairs.
Clear flat roof outlets regularly. Standing water puts more pressure on any weak point.