Greater London · London and the South East
Downe Electronic Leak Detection
Electronic leak detection for homes and businesses in Downe. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Failed seams and laps
- Leaks that return after repairs
- New roofs to check before paving or planting
What electronic leak detection looks like in Downe
Historic houses like Down House, about 0.6 miles south, show how far back building in the area around Downe goes. 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. In outer London, interwar semis with hipped, tiled roofs sit alongside older slate-roofed terraces. Bay roofs, hip ridges and dormers from later loft conversions are the details that set these houses apart. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are a good many flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Downe Primary School, a large flat roof with a good many outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail. Take an older house close to St Mary's Church: flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Downe is about 4 miles south-west of Orpington, in Greater London. Anywhere in Downe, we can carry out electronic leak detection at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. We cover towns and villages across Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. For surveys nearby, see our London page.
Every address in BR6 is covered for electronic leak detection, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We offer electronic leak detection to properties on High Street, North End Lane and Belle Vue Road. Neighbouring places we cover for electronic leak detection include Farthing Street (1 mile north-west), Hazelwood (1 mile east), Luxted (1 mile south), Leaves Green (1 mile west) and Single Street (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover London (13 miles north-west), City of Westminster (15 miles north-west), Marylebone (15 miles north-west), St Pancras (15 miles north-west), Shoreditch (14 miles north-west) and Hoxton (15 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Downe
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Queens Head pub, Charles Darwin School and South Park. The nearest railway station is Chelsfield station, about 2.6 miles north-east of the centre. A little further out are Crofton Roman Villa (2.7 miles north-east) and Princess Royal University Hospital (1.8 miles north). The countryside around Downe includes Downe Bank Nature Reserve and Betsom's Hill.
How electronic leak detection works in Downe
We carry out electronic leak detection on flat roofs in Downe and across London and South East England. A visit usually takes more time on a big roof than a small one, with the construction of the roof playing a part too. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof. The results come in a written report with photos. If you’ve noticed leaks that return after repairs and holes around roof penetrations, we can find out what’s behind it, on liquid-applied waterproofing, roof terraces and balconies and commercial flat roofs alike.
Water getting through a flat roof in London can travel under the covering and appear some way from the hole. Upstands against parapets, outlets and the edge where flat meets pitched are common entry points. In a converted house in Downe, the roof above may belong to the building rather than one flat.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Downe (BR6)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Can I check my roof myself?
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
It is useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Downe
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed in advance. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which helps when tenants work during the week.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Downe and across Greater London can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
How it works
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you need to know. After that, we check everything we can see safely. The survey typically takes a time that depends on the membrane area and the build-up, and we’ll give you a guide when quoting. In Downe, as in much of London, a good many properties are flats or terraces without side access, so the back of the roof is often seen from upstairs windows, from inside or, where a flight is allowed, from the air. If the building has a managing agent or access rules, let us know when booking.
- First, we confirm which roof areas are included.
- We get the roof ready for testing.
- Testing runs across the agreed area.
- Each breach found is located and recorded.
- You receive the results to pass to your roofer.
Before we arrive
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Book a survey
You can call us seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Advice
Common questions in Downe
Is Downe in the area you cover?
Yes, Downe is within the area we cover. We work right across London and the South East. You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details, and we will talk through which survey suits.
Will parking be an issue for a roof survey in Downe?
Parking in Downe, as in most of London, takes a little planning: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day run more smoothly, so mention what’s available as you book.
What insurance do you have?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
How does ELD work?
It uses an electrical current to find breaches in a flat roof membrane. A breach lets the current through so we can pinpoint it.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Not always. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where applicable let us see the rest, and the report records anything we couldn’t see.
When does the report arrive?
Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24–48 hours and Premium reports on the same day. All of them come by email.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling are not something we do. Where a material might contain it, such as old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.
Useful tips for Downe property owners
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. What helps most:
- Act on new leaks promptly
- Keep foot traffic on flat roofs to a minimum
- Share any drawings of the roof
- Use boards when working on the roof
If anything in the report isn’t clear, ask us. We can talk you through the findings.
Act on leaks quickly. Water under a membrane can spread.
What we can’t see
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- The extent of water in the insulation
- Some conductive membranes
- Leaks from plumbing or windows
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll point you to the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flat roof membranes
- Commercial flat roofs
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Single-ply roofs
- Green roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
Do you need electronic leak detection in Downe?
Work on the roof can damage a membrane. Fixings, equipment and foot traffic can leave small holes.
Common reasons to book include:
- Waterproofing to test before it’s covered
- Holes around roof penetrations
- Leaking laps in the waterproofing
- A flat roof leak that can’t be traced
Parking in Downe, as in most of London, takes a little planning: tell us about permits, visitor bays or off-street space as you book.
Before booking anyone
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Their insurance cover
- How long the report takes to arrive