Greater London · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Chinatown, Greater London
We take a careful look at the flat roof membrane at your property in Chinatown, with photographs and a written report.
- Holes around roof penetrations
- Leaking laps in the waterproofing
- Waterproofing to test before it is covered
Flat and commercial roofs around Chinatown
Welsh slate on Victorian and Edwardian terraces is a familiar sight across inner London. Many have butterfly roofs draining to a central valley gutter, with parapet walls and gutters hidden behind them. In a house like that, shared stacks, party-wall upstands and lead flashings all need looking at as far as they can be seen. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere. The wider area around Chinatown has a long history of building, with Benjamin Franklin House about 0.4 miles south-east. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
Landlords with a home close to Tottenham Court Road station may find that the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. If you look after a building such as Soho Parish CofE Primary School, schools and public buildings frequently have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks. A roof leak in a hotel or guest house around Chinatown means lost rooms as well as repairs, so it is worth knowing the roof’s condition.
Chinatown is about 1 mile east of City of Westminster, in Greater London. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Chinatown can all book electronic leak detection, with a written report and photographs every time. Our area takes in places right across Greater London.
Electronic leak detection in W1F, W1D and W1T are booked the same way as anywhere else. We offer electronic leak detection to properties on Duck Lane, Drury Lane and Bruton Lane and the roads around them. Main roads around Chinatown include the A4 and A301, so getting to you is simple. Close by, we survey roofs in Soho (1 mile north), St James's (1 mile south), West End (1 mile north-east), Seven Dials (1 mile north-east) and St Giles (1 mile north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Kensington (3 miles west), Shoreditch (3 miles north-east), Walthamstow (7 miles north-east), Hoxton (3 miles north-east), Whitechapel (3 miles east) and Hampstead (4 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Chinatown
We work in homes and buildings around LITE Regal International School, London Library and Waxy O'Connor's pub. You will also find St Anne's Churchyard (under half a mile north-west) and Harris Westminster Sixth Form (0.8 miles south). Chinatown has its own railway station: Tottenham Court Road station. Nearby you’ll also find Leverian collection (less than half a mile south-east) and Montfichet's Tower (1.3 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Barnsbury Wood and St. James's Park Lake.
Electronic leak detection in Chinatown: what you get
ELD is a way of pinpointing breaches in a flat roof’s waterproofing membrane. 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 knows exactly where to repair. The results come in a report with photos. We’re often asked to look into leaks under green or ballasted roofs and leaks showing away from the breach, across commercial flat roofs, green roofs and liquid-applied waterproofing.
On a London roof terrace or a flat roof over a back addition, water often runs under the covering before it shows. Upstands against parapets, outlets and the edge where flat meets pitched are common entry points. In a block or conversion in Chinatown, the flat roof is often a shared part of the building.
After the visit, you get a photo-illustrated written report, sent by email. It explains the condition of the flat roof membrane, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Place
- Chinatown (W1F, W1D, W1T)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Landlords, agents and block managers in Chinatown
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. Surveys run seven days a week, which can make access easier.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work.
How it works
After the inspection, everything we found is written up in a report with photographs. On timing, it usually takes longer on a large roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too. From the street, a London terrace usually shows only its front slope or parapet, so in Chinatown we work round the house, using the street, the windows, the loft and any safe vantage point behind it. If other people live in the building, tell us who can let us into the shared parts.
- We start by finding out what the roof is made of and where it leaks.
- We check that the membrane and build-up suit electronic leak detection.
- The testing method is chosen to suit the membrane and build-up.
- The roof is tested and any breaches are located.
- The breaches are recorded with photographs in a report for your roofer.
Getting ready for the survey
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Arrange a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Read more
What this survey can’t tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- Some conductive membranes
- The extent of water in the insulation
- Water entering through details rather than the membrane
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Commercial flat roofs
- Single-ply roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Green roofs
- Roof terraces and balconies
Your questions about electronic leak detection in Chinatown
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Chinatown?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Will parking be an issue for a roof survey in Chinatown?
In much of London, parking needs planning: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day run more smoothly.
Will you repair the leak?
No, the test finds the breaches and your roofer repairs them. Your roofer uses the report to target the repair.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
What will the report tell me?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos. Points are put by urgency where it matters.
How long will testing take?
It depends on the size of the roof and its build-up. We will give you an idea when we quote.
How do I book a survey in Chinatown?
Just ring 07833 053749 or email us. We’ll ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date.
How we price electronic leak detection
We confirm the price for the job before you book. These are the things that affect it:
- The size of the roof
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
For a price for your roof in Chinatown, ring 07833 053749 or email us and tell us about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Getting in touch
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, tell us:
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.
Nearby places to Chinatown
What else we do in Chinatown
Different roofs, different checks
Inverted and paved roofs
We’ll tell you if your inverted or paved roof is not suitable.
EPDM rubber roofs
Whether an EPDM roof can be tested depends on the membrane and build-up. We check this first.
Why it is worth a survey now in Chinatown
Opening up a roof to hunt for a leak is disruptive. Electronic testing finds the hole first, so the repair can be targeted. A hidden valley or parapet gutter on a London house can hold water for weeks before anyone notices. By the time a ceiling stains, the timbers underneath may have been wet for a while.
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how safely it can be seen. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof.
Why us?
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Surveys seven days a week
- Plain-English reports with photos
- PI and public liability insurance
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.