West Sussex · London and the South East
Church Norton Electronic Leak Detection
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes in Church Norton, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Leaks under green or ballasted roofs
- Holes left by work on the roof
- Patched roofs that still leak
Electronic leak detection in Church Norton: what you get
Electronic leak detection, or ELD, finds holes in flat roof waterproofing membranes. It works with an electrical current which can only get through the membrane at a breach. It can find holes too small to spot by eye, so your roofer can repair them. You get a written report with photographs of each breach found. If you’ve noticed breaches hidden under paving or planting and leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on commercial flat roofs, flat roof membranes and green roofs alike.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Church Norton take more wind and rain, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Felt roofs, which often last around 15–20 years, typically 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.
Where we can’t see part of the flat roof membrane, the report says so. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Location
- Church Norton (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- Quoted for your roof
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes longer on a large roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too. Older rural homes like those around Church Norton can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can be seen safely.
- First, we confirm which roof areas are included.
- The surface is prepared for the chosen method.
- Testing runs across the agreed area.
- We mark the breach locations in our records.
- You receive the results to pass to your roofer.
How to prepare
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Booking a survey
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or email us and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. You will know the price before anything is booked.
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Electronic leak detection around Church Norton
The coast is about 1 mile or less from Church Norton, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. On a flat roof near the sea, edge trims and upstands take the brunt of the wind, and metal parts corrode faster. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Flat roofs fill the gaps in between, on extensions, garages, dormers and business premises.
Landlords with a home close to Bognor Regis station may find that a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak. If you look after a building such as The Academy, schools and public buildings frequently have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks.
Church Norton is about 1 mile north-east of Selsey, in West Sussex. Anywhere in Church Norton, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex. Our Portsmouth page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in PO20 is within our area for electronic leak detection, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We offer electronic leak detection to properties on Grange Lane and Rectory Lane. Nearby, we also carry out electronic leak detection in Selsey (1 mile south-west), Keynor Estate (2 miles north-west), Pagham (2 miles north-east), Sidlesham (2 miles north) and Nyetimber (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (5 miles north-east), Chichester (6 miles north), Littlehampton (11 miles east), Emsworth (10 miles north-west), Rustington (12 miles east) and Angmering (14 miles north-east).
Near you in Church Norton
The nearest railway station is Bognor Regis station, about 4.9 miles north-east. Other landmarks nearby include Selsey Lifeboat Museum (1.5 miles south) and Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital (5.1 miles north-east).
Should I look at the roof myself first?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Practical tips
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Keep foot traffic on flat roofs to a minimum
- Have roof specifications to hand
- Check trades protect the waterproofing
- Test new membranes before covering them
The report records each breach location with photos. Pass it to your roofer to repair the breach points.
Keep people off the flat roof unless they need to be there. Feet and dropped tools are a common cause of holes.
When to book a survey in Church Norton
Seams are a common weak point in flat roof waterproofing. Small openings at laps can leak long before anyone notices.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Water coming in under a flat roof
- Failed seams and laps
- Leaks that return after repairs
- Holes left by work on the roof
For an older house near a landmark such as St Wilfrid's Chapel, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Will the report include photos?
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- How long the report takes to arrive
What affects the price in Church Norton
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Roof area
- The shape of the roof and its details
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before booking.
Getting in touch
A few details help us recommend the right survey and price. When you contact us, it helps to mention:
- Any deadline, like an exchange date
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Where the property is, with the postcode
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Questions from Church Norton
How do I find out if my home in Church Norton is listed?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Church Norton?
Places near the sea get more wind and more salt in the air than inland, and both are hard on roofs. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, while strong wind lifts anything already loose.
How do you choose the testing method?
We choose the method that suits the roof. You will know which method we plan to use before we start.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
How much time does ELD need?
The roof’s size and build-up decide how long it takes. We’ll give you an idea when we quote.
What does the report include?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, and ends with what we recommend. The most urgent items are made clear.
Nearby places to Church Norton
Other services in Church Norton
Different roofs, different checks
Liquid-applied waterproofing
Small holes in liquid waterproofing may leak. ELD can help locate them on suitable roofs.
Single-ply membranes
Single-ply can be punctured by tools or fixings. Testing helps find them.