Medway · London and the South East
Borstal Electronic Leak Detection
Find out what’s going on with the flat roof membrane before you decide what to do next. We carry out electronic leak detection in Borstal, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Leaking laps in the waterproofing
- Water coming in under a flat roof
- Patched roofs that still leak
Electronic leak detection around Borstal
Borstal lies within about 4 miles of the sea, 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. Borstal has a number of hotels within about a mile and a half. For hotels and other commercial buildings, finding the cause of a flat roof leak quickly keeps rooms in use.
If you run a business near Pentagon Shopping Centre, a flat roof over a business is out of sight and out of mind until it leaks. If you run a hotel or guest house in or near Borstal, a roof problem can mean rooms out of use, so it pays to find faults before guests do.
Borstal is about 1 mile south-west of Rochester, in Medway. Borstal is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Borstal is one of the towns and villages in Medway where we work for electronic leak detection. You can also see our page for Maidstone.
Surveys in ME1 and ME2 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We offer electronic leak detection to properties on Hill Road, Manor Lane and Mount Road. Being close to the M2, Borstal is simple for us to get to. Other places close to Borstal include Rochester (1 mile north-east), Strood (1 mile north), Cuxton (1 mile west), North Halling (2 miles west) and Wouldham (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Gillingham (4 miles east), Rainham (5 miles east), Park Wood (5 miles east), Lordswood (4 miles south-east), Twydall (4 miles east) and Hoo St Werburgh (5 miles north-east).
Near you in Borstal
Around Borstal, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, Former Ordnance Store At Chatham Gun Wharf and St John Fisher RC Comprehensive School. The closest station to Borstal is Cuxton station, roughly 1 mile west. Well-known places in the area include Six Poor Travellers House (1.3 miles north-east) and Rochester Castle (1.3 miles north-east). Open spaces near Borstal include Blue Bell Hill and Ranscombe Farm.
Electronic leak detection for homes and businesses in Borstal
Electronic testing locates holes in the waterproofing but not every way water gets in. Water coming through walls, copings, rooflights or plumbing won’t show on the test. We’ll tell you if we think the leak is coming from somewhere else. It will not show water getting in through brickwork or around frames. Our report keeps that distinction clear. You will also know what to check next. We survey liquid-applied waterproofing, flat roof membranes and single-ply roofs, and common reasons people get in touch are breaches around outlets and penetrations and stains far from any visible defect.
Flat roofs in smaller places like Borstal can be more exposed, particularly where nothing shelters them, where wind can catch loose edges and trims. Felt and bitumen also age in strong sun. Splits, blisters and lifting edges are what to look out for, along with water that sits after rain. A flat roof that still holds water days after rain is also worth a closer look.
The report does not just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Place
- Borstal (ME1, ME2)
- Wider area
- Medway
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens on the day
We do not take risks to get a closer look. We inspect everything that’s safely in view, and if part of the roof cannot be seen, the report says so. The survey normally takes longer on a large roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too. Parking around Borstal is typically easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from ground level, with the loft showing the underside, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where applicable.
- We ask about the roof, its age, its membrane and where leaks appear inside.
- The roof is assessed to see if electronic testing will work on it.
- The testing method is chosen to suit the membrane and build-up.
- We test the membrane and find where current is passing through it.
- The breaches are recorded with photos in a report for your roofer.
Preparing for the visit
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Arrange a survey
To book a survey, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Advice
What affects the cost of electronic leak detection
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. That comes down to:
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- Roof area
Every price we give includes VAT. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof. We confirm the exact price before booking.
What to let us know when you get in touch
To price your survey accurately, we will ask about:
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- The address and postcode of the property
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from ground level or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Why get it checked now?
Leaks left running can wet the insulation and deck. Finding the breach sooner limits that. In a smaller place like Borstal, wherever a roof is exposed, a loose ridge or flashing doesn’t stay loose for long. Wind gets under it and lifts more, and water follows.
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before you book.
Why book with us
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- Over 20 years’ experience
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
Read our cost guide or two real surveys.
What we’re asked to look at in Borstal
Other trades on the roof can puncture the waterproofing. Fixings, equipment and foot traffic can leave small holes.
Look out for signs like these:
- A flat roof leak that can’t be traced
- New membranes needing a check before handover
- Punctures from foot traffic or tools
- Patched roofs that still leak
Temple Manor, about 1 mile north, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Borstal. Older houses nearby often have flat roofs added much later, built to very different standards from the main roof.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- How they’ll see the roof: from the ground, the loft, the roof or by drone
- Their report turnaround times
- What happens after the report arrives
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
Common questions in Borstal
Can you look at the flat roof of a hotel or office near Borstal?
Yes. As well as homes, we check flat roofs on offices, hotels, blocks of flats and commercial units. Larger commercial roofs are quoted for the building, and roof access is agreed with you before the visit.
Is my home in Borstal listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
What’s in the survey report?
You get our findings in writing, part by part, with photos. The most urgent items are made clear.
Do you use low-voltage or high-voltage testing?
We choose the method that suits the roof. You’ll know which method we plan to use before we start.
What’s the price of ELD?
Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof. The price depends on the roof’s size and build-up. To get a quote, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
What’s the best way to book?
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or email us and let us know the address and what you want to find out. We will confirm the price and agree a day with you.
When you need someone else
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Water entering through details rather than the membrane
- Carrying out the repair work
- Sections we cannot safely access
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer before you book. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Commercial flat roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Green roofs
- Single-ply roofs
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Our tips:
- Let us know about the membrane and build-up if you know it
- Use boards when working on the roof
- Do not keep patching the same spot
- Test new membranes before covering them
Once repairs are made, the roof can be tested again if you want to check them if the build-up allows.
ELD before paving, ballast or planting goes on is worth considering. It’s easier to find holes before more layers are added.