Kent · London and the South East
Etchinghill Electronic Leak Detection
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes in Etchinghill, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Punctures from foot traffic or tools
- Failed seams and laps
- A flat roof leak that can’t be traced
Electronic leak detection in Etchinghill
ELD finds breaches in the membrane but not every way water gets in. Leaks from walls, copings, rooflights or pipes need other checks. If the evidence points elsewhere, we will say so. The test shows breaches in the membrane, not water coming through masonry or around frames. Our report keeps that distinction clear. We will point you to the likely next step. We are often asked to look into new membranes needing a check before handover and a flat roof leak that can’t be traced, on single-ply roofs, commercial flat roofs and green roofs.
In a small place like Etchinghill, a flat roof can stand in the open, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. Felt roofs, which often last around 15–20 years, typically show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. Exposed edges are usually the first part of a flat roof to go.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent.
- Place
- Etchinghill (CT18)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
When you need someone else
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, so a survey has limits:
- Roofs whose membrane or build-up isn’t suitable
- Fixing the holes we find
- The extent of water in the insulation
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will recommend the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Green roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Single-ply roofs
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Commercial flat roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
What we look for on each type of roof
Inverted and paved roofs
We’ll tell you if your inverted or paved roof is not suitable.
EPDM rubber roofs
EPDM is a long-lasting flat roof membrane, but can still be punctured.
What electronic leak detection looks like in Etchinghill
Etchinghill lies within about 3 miles of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Coastal wind works at the edges of flat roofs, and salt air wears metal trims and fixings. The wider area around Etchinghill has a long history of building, with Acrise Place about 2.4 miles north-east. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Take a building like Lyminge Church of England Primary School: ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season. If you own a rental within reach of Sandling station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Etchinghill is about 3 miles north of Hythe, in Kent. We carry out electronic leak detection for homes and businesses in Etchinghill. Our area takes in places right across Kent. Canterbury is in our area too.
Every address in CT18 is within our area for electronic leak detection, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you need electronic leak detection at a property on St Marys Close, Meriden Walk and St Marys Drive or anywhere close by, we can survey it. We also cover the places around Etchinghill: Lyminge (1 mile north), Postling (1 mile west), Woodland (2 miles north-west), Skeete (2 miles north-west) and Ottinge (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Ashford (10 miles west), Canterbury (12 miles north), Dover (9 miles east), Folkestone (4 miles south-east), Deal (15 miles north-east) and Hythe (3 miles south).
Around Etchinghill
Typical jobs here are in homes near Brockhill Park Performing Arts College, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Sandling station, about 2 miles south-west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Royal Victoria Hospital (3.8 miles south-east) and Elham Valley Countryside Centre And Railway Museum (1.4 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Tolsford Hill.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Why act early in Etchinghill
Opening up a roof to hunt for a leak is disruptive. Electronic testing finds the hole first, so the repair can be targeted. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Etchinghill, driving rain gets into any weakness, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how it can be reached and seen safely. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof.
Why book us in Etchinghill
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- 98% customer satisfaction
- An independent look at the roof
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
Take a look at our cost guide and our case studies.
More services for Etchinghill
How the survey works
We photograph the roof as we go, so you can see in the report what we found and where. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available. Most surveys take as long as needed for the roof’s area and construction, which we’ll explain when we quote. In a small place like Etchinghill, access is typically the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First, we confirm which roof areas are included.
- We get the roof ready for testing.
- We work across the roof with the test equipment.
- Each breach found is located and recorded.
- You receive the results to pass to your roofer.
Preparing for the visit
- Keep pets in another room
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
Arrange a survey
You can call us seven days a week. For a price or to book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Read more
Etchinghill questions
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Etchinghill, take more of a battering?
It can do. Etchinghill is within about 3 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Etchinghill?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
What happens after the survey?
The report comes by email, and you decide the next step: use it with a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent.
How soon will I get the report?
Each package has its own report time. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. If you have a deadline, like an exchange date, let us know as you book.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but we don’t provide calculations or an engineer’s opinion. If one is needed, the report says so.
How long will testing take?
It depends on the size of the roof and its build-up. We’ll give you an idea when we quote.
Tips that help
Getting the most from electronic leak detection starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Keep a note of leaks after rain
- Limit access to the roof
- Don’t let outlets block
- Test new membranes before covering them
Where the evidence points to walls, copings or rooflights, we will note it, with a suggestion of what to check next.
Keep people off the flat roof unless they need to be there. Feet and dropped tools are a common cause of holes.