Southampton · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Bitterne, Southampton
Electronic leak detection in Bitterne from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Holes left by work on the roof
- Stains far from any visible defect
- Patched roofs that still leak
What we cannot see
A survey is a close look at the flat roof membrane, but it cannot do everything. Its limits include:
- The extent of water in the insulation
- Some conductive membranes
- Leaks from walls, copings or rooflights
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Bitterne
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Commercial flat roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Green roofs
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Single-ply roofs
How electronic leak detection works in Bitterne
ELD can be carried out in more than one way. Low-voltage testing is typically done with the surface wet, while high-voltage testing needs a dry, exposed membrane. Which one suits depends on the membrane and the layers of the roof and we explain which we’ll use. We’ll say if your roof doesn’t suit either method at the outset. We survey green roofs, flat roof membranes and single-ply roofs, and common reasons people get in touch are damp inside with no sign on the roof and breaches hidden under paving or planting.
In smaller places like Bitterne, flat roofs are mostly on extensions, garages, porches and dormers. They’re small, but a leak over a kitchen extension can do a lot of harm. What it is covered in, and how well it was laid, decides what it needs, from felt and asphalt to EPDM rubber and GRP. Ponding, splits and lifting edges are the signs to look for from a window.
It isn’t only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Location
- Bitterne (SO18, SO19)
- Region
- Southampton
- Cost
- Quoted for your roof
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Different roofs, different checks
Bituminous membranes
Bituminous roofs often have laps and old repairs that can leak. We test where the roof suits it.
Inverted and paved roofs
On inverted roofs, insulation sits above the membrane, which affects testing.
FAQs for Bitterne
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Bitterne?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, while strong wind lifts anything already loose.
Is Bitterne within the area you cover?
Yes, Bitterne is covered. We survey roofs across London and the South East, and smaller places are part of that. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
Can you find leaks on a covered flat roof?
In some cases. It depends on the build-up and the layers above the membrane and parts may need to be lifted. We talk this through first.
Does electronic leak detection work on all membranes?
That depends on the roof’s membrane and layers. Share any details you have and we will confirm suitability.
Does someone need to be in?
Someone needs to let us in if we are looking inside or in the loft. We’ll talk about access when you book.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
Which method do you use?
The roof decides the method. You will know which method we plan to use before we start.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Bitterne
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Bitterne. To discuss a property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, putting the urgent items at the top.
What a survey costs
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- House, block, shop or office
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
To find out what your survey will cost, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address and some details. We will confirm the figure before booking.
What to tell us when you get in touch
We’ll usually ask about:
- What made you get in touch
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Where the property is, with the postcode
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Electronic leak detection in Bitterne: local notes
Bitterne is within about 2 miles of the coast, so there’s more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Salt in the air is hard on metal flashings and fixings, and wind catches any loose edge on a flat roof. Historic houses such as South Stoneham House, about 1.8 miles north-west, show how far back building in the area around Bitterne goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Shop and office owners around Marlands Shopping Centre may find that flat roofs over shops and units are easy to forget until water comes through a ceiling. Landlords with a home close to Bitterne station may find that flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies. For an older house near a landmark like Church of the Holy Saviour, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Bitterne is about 1 mile east of Southampton, in Southampton. If you’re in Bitterne, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: a call or an email, a price, then a date. Our Southampton coverage includes Bitterne and the places around it.
Every address in SO18 and SO19 is within our area for electronic leak detection, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We offer electronic leak detection to properties on Bath Road, Ruby Road and Dean Road. With the A3024 close by, Bitterne is easy for us to reach. Close by, we survey roofs in Northam (1 mile west), Bitterne Park (1 mile north-west), Itchen (1 mile south-west), Midanbury (1 mile north) and Harefield (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include Shirley (3 miles west), Regents Park (3 miles west), Maybush (4 miles west), Coxford (4 miles west), Freemantle (3 miles west) and Lordswood (4 miles north-west).
Landmarks near Bitterne
Typical jobs here are in homes near Itchen College, Riverside Park and St Mary's Independent School, among other places. The closest station to Bitterne is Bitterne station, about 0.7 miles north-west of the centre. A little further out are Bitterne Local History Society Heritage And Research Centre (less than half a mile north-west) and Marlands Shopping Centre (2 miles west). Not far away are Netley Common.
Places near Bitterne
Other services in Bitterne
What you can safely check yourself
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
How the survey works
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes more time on a big roof than a small one, with the construction of the roof playing a part too. With a bit of garden around a house, as there often is around Bitterne, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Let us know if any side is fenced off or hard to reach. Inside, the loft is looked at where it can be reached safely.
- First, you tell us about the roof build-up and where water is showing.
- The roof is assessed to see if electronic testing will work on it.
- The method depends on the membrane and what sits above and below it.
- Testing runs across the roof to locate breaches in the membrane.
- You get a report showing where each breach is, for your roofer to repair.
Getting ready for the survey
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
Booking a survey
Every survey is priced before it’s booked, so you know where you stand. We quote electronic leak detection for each roof, as the method and time depend on the roof. For a price for your roof, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.