Greater London · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Charlton, Greater London
We take a careful look at the flat roof membrane at your property in Charlton, and put it all in a written report with photos.
- New roofs to check before paving or planting
- A flat roof leak that can’t be traced
- Leaks that return after repairs
Landlords, agents and block managers in Charlton
Shared roofs need a little more planning: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Tell us about it when booking and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
About our electronic leak detection in Charlton
ELD finds breaches in the membrane, not every cause of water getting 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. We’ll point you to the likely next step. If you’re worried about leaks showing away from the breach and repairs that haven’t stopped the leak, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
On a London roof terrace or a flat roof over a back addition, water frequently runs under the covering before it shows. Upstands against parapets, outlets and the edge where flat meets pitched are common entry points. In a converted house in Charlton, the roof above may belong to the building rather than one flat.
We write the report in plain English, so you do not need to be a roofer to follow it. Photos show what each point refers to.
- Place
- Charlton (SE7, SE18)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we cannot see
A survey is a proper look at the flat roof membrane, but it can’t do everything. Its limits include:
- Sections we cannot safely access
- Leaks from plumbing or windows
- The extent of water in the insulation
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll suggest the right survey before you book. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Green roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Single-ply roofs
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Commercial flat roofs
- Flat roof membranes
What we look for on each type of roof
Single-ply membranes
ELD frequently works on single-ply membranes but it depends on the product and layers.
EPDM rubber roofs
ELD on EPDM depends on the product and the layers. We check before we quote.
What else we do in Charlton
The survey, step by step
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit typically takes more time on a big roof than a small one, with the construction of the roof playing a part too. Surveys in Charlton can be booked for any day of the week. London parking is frequently by permit or pay-and-display, so it is useful to know what’s near you. A back bedroom window can be the best vantage point for a rear addition, so we may ask to use one.
- You tell us about the roof and where water is showing.
- The roof is assessed for suitability first.
- We choose a low-voltage or high-voltage method to match the roof.
- The membrane is tested and breaches are found.
- A report with photographs shows where each breach is.
Getting ready for the survey
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Getting a price
If you are buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. For any other survey, just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form when you’re ready.
Related advice
Questions from Charlton
Is parking a problem for a survey in Charlton?
It depends on the street. Where there are permit zones, a visitor permit or nearby pay-and-display bay works well, and a driveway is even better.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Charlton?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
How quickly is the report sent?
Report times are set by the package. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. If you have a deadline, such as an exchange date, let us know when booking.
What happens after the survey?
You will receive the report by email, and you decide the next step: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drones can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. If the conditions aren’t right, we will talk to you about another date.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers. We’ll recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
How long does electronic leak detection take?
The roof’s size and build-up decide how long it takes. You’ll know roughly how long before we start.
Electronic leak detection in Charlton: local notes
About 1.9 miles west lies Queen's House, a reminder of how long the area around Charlton has been built on. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Charlton has a number of hotels within about a mile and a half, and like offices and blocks, hotels often sit under flat roofs. If you look after one, a leak through a flat roof can put a room out of use.
If you look after a shop, office or commercial unit, for example near Gallions Reach Shopping Park, the flat roofs over shops and commercial units are worth checking before a leak, not after. Anyone responsible for a site like Thorntree Primary School will know that large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly. Hotels and guest houses near Charlton cannot easily close rooms for a leak, so it’s worth knowing the roof’s condition.
Charlton is about 2 miles west of Plumstead, in Greater London. We survey roofs in Charlton and the rest of Greater London, as part of our work across London and South East England. Our area takes in places right across Greater London. We also survey roofs in London.
Surveys in SE7 and SE18 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. That includes homes and businesses on Floyd Road, Guild Road and Priolo Road and the roads around them. If you’re just outside Charlton, we cover New Charlton (1 mile north-west), Westcombe Park (1 mile west), Woolwich (1 mile east), Vanbrugh Park Estate (1 mile south-west) and Kidbrooke (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include London (6 miles west), City of Westminster (8 miles west), Marylebone (8 miles west), Kensington (10 miles west), St Pancras (7 miles west) and Shoreditch (6 miles north-west).
Near you in Charlton
Typical jobs here are in homes near Charlton Park, Wildwood Montessori School and Royal Greenwich Trust School and the streets around them. There’s a railway station in Charlton itself: Charlton station. Other landmarks nearby include British Hospital for Mothers and Babies (0.5 miles east) and Gallions Reach Shopping Park (2.3 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Gilbert's Pit.
Can I check my roof myself?
You can learn a lot from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
What affects the cost of electronic leak detection
To price your survey, we look at:
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
All our prices include VAT. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof. You’ll know the exact price before you book.
Booking your survey
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- When you need the report by
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- What’s prompted the survey
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine, and please do not climb up for a closer look. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.