Kent · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Cobham, Kent
A careful look at the flat roof membrane at your property in Cobham, with photographs and a written report.
- Holes left by work on the roof
- Repairs that haven’t stopped the leak
- A flat roof leak that cannot be traced
Electronic leak detection in Cobham: local notes
Cobham is within about 5 miles of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Coastal wind works at the edges of flat roofs, and salt air wears metal trims and fixings. Cobham College, about 0.2 miles south-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Cobham. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
Take an older house close to Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene: any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof. Anyone responsible for a site like Cobham Primary School will know that ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.
Cobham is about 3 miles south of Gravesend, in Kent. Cobham is one of many places we visit across Kent, for homes and businesses alike. Across Kent, we cover Cobham. There is also a page for Maidstone.
We cover every part of the DA12 postcode area for electronic leak detection. Whether your property is on The Street, Lawrence Drive and Cobhambury Road or anywhere close by, we can help. Other places close to Cobham include Upper Bush (2 miles south-east), Lower Bush (2 miles south-east), Cuxton (2 miles south-east), North Halling (3 miles south-east) and Upper Halling (3 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (10 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (15 miles east), Dartford (8 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (12 miles south-west), Gravesend (3 miles north) and Tonbridge (14 miles south).
What’s near Cobham
In Cobham, that means homes and buildings near Thamesview School, The Ship Inn and Jeskyns and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Sole Street station, roughly 1.2 miles south-west. A little further out are Rochester Castle (4.3 miles east) and Gravesham Community Hospital (3.9 miles north-west). For a walk, there’s Gad's Hill and Ranscombe Farm.
Electronic leak detection in Cobham: what you get
ELD is a way of pinpointing breaches in a flat roof’s waterproofing membrane. It uses a small electrical current that passes through the membrane only where there is a breach. It can find holes too small to spot by eye, so your roofer can repair them. You get a report with photos of each breach found. Common reasons to book are leaks through a covered membrane and waterproofing to test before it’s covered, across flat roof membranes, liquid-applied waterproofing and commercial flat roofs.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Cobham take more wind and rain, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. Older felt roofs, often around 15–20 years in life, show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
If any part of the flat roof membrane couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Place
- Cobham (DA12)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Your questions about electronic leak detection in Cobham
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Cobham, take more of a battering?
Often, yes. Within about 5 miles of the sea, as Cobham is, metal fixings wear faster and gales find any loose ridge or slate.
Do you cover smaller places like Cobham?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
How does ELD work?
ELD passes a small electrical current across the roof to locate holes in the membrane. A breach lets the current through, which shows us where the hole is.
How long does electronic leak detection take?
Testing typically takes more time on a big roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too.
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 is ELD priced?
Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof. Size, build-up and access all affect the price. To get a quote, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from whoever owns or manages the building. We can only inspect what we’re given access to.
Nearby places to Cobham
More services for Cobham
Useful tips for Cobham property owners
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Note where leaks show inside and when
- Stay off the flat roof unless needed
- Act on new leaks promptly
- Have roof specifications to hand
Once repairs are made, the roof can be tested again if you want to check them if the build-up allows.
Act on leaks quickly. The longer water gets in, the more insulation and decking can be affected.
What happens on the day
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take a length of time set by the membrane area and the build-up, which we set out in the quote. In a small place like Cobham, access is typically the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You tell us about the roof and where water is showing.
- The roof is assessed for suitability first.
- The test method is chosen to suit the roof.
- The membrane is tested and breaches are found.
- You get a report with photos of each breach.
Preparing for the visit
- Keep pets in another room
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Getting a price
If you’re 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 call 07833 053749 or email us when you’re ready.
Advice
Checking the roof from ground level
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
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 part is for a survey.
Signs you need electronic leak detection in Cobham
Holes in a membrane frequently come from feet, tools or debris. Some are too small to see, but still let water through.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Gaps at membrane joints
- Waterproofing to test before it’s covered
- Leaks through a covered membrane
- Repairs that haven’t stopped the leak
For landlords with property near Sole Street station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Before you book anyone
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- What insurance they carry
- When you will get the report
When you need someone else
Every survey has limits, and it’s better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- Roofs whose membrane or build-up is not suitable
- How wet the insulation is
- Carrying out the repair work
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll suggest the right survey. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roofs we survey in Cobham
- Green roofs
- Commercial flat roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Flat roof membranes
- Single-ply roofs
Prices for electronic leak detection in Cobham
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. The main factors are:
- Height and safe access
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
All our prices include VAT. We quote electronic leak detection for each roof, as the method and time depend on the roof. You will know the price for your roof before booking.
Helping us price your survey
Getting the details right at the start saves time. Please include:
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Anything about access we should know
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price before booking.