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West Sussex · London and the South East

Electronic leak detection in Five Oaks, West Sussex

Electronic leak detection across Five Oaks, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. You get a clear report with photographs.

  • Punctures from foot traffic or tools
  • A flat roof leak that can’t be traced
  • Repairs that haven’t stopped the leak

Electronic leak detection in Five Oaks

Electronic leak detection in Five Oaks: what you get

Electronic testing locates holes in the waterproofing but not every way water gets in. Water coming through walls, copings, rooflights or plumbing will not show on the test. If the evidence points elsewhere, we’ll say so. The test shows breaches in the membrane, not water coming through masonry or around frames. Our report keeps that distinction clear. You’ll also know what to check next. We are frequently asked to look into gaps at membrane joints and water coming in under a flat roof, across green roofs, flat roof membranes and roof terraces and balconies.

In a village or hamlet like Five Oaks, flat roofs are normally on extensions, garages, outbuildings or barn conversions. The checks are the same as anywhere: outlets, upstands, edges and the covering itself. The journey and access are planned beforehand. Garages and outbuildings are easy to forget, so mention any you want included when booking.

Where we cannot see part of the flat roof membrane, the report says so. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.

Illustration of electronic leak detection showing a breach on a flat roof membrane
Location
Five Oaks (RH14)
Region
West Sussex
Price
Quoted for your roof
Report
A written report with photos, by email
When we survey
Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Insured
PI and public liability insurance
Telephone
07833 053749
Page updated
27 October 2026

Signs you need electronic leak detection in Five Oaks

When the membrane is buried, holes can’t be seen at all. ELD can work on some covered roofs, depending on the build-up.

We are often asked to look at:

  • Repairs that haven’t stopped the leak
  • Leaks under green or ballasted roofs
  • Waterproofing to test before it is covered
  • Punctures from foot traffic or tools

If you own a rental within reach of Billingshurst station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.

Questions to ask before booking

  • What happens after the report arrives
  • What’s outside the scope of the survey
  • Whether VAT is added on top
  • Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance

What a good roof survey covers

Local flat roofs in Five Oaks

An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Next to the main roofs there is normally a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.

Take a building like The Weald School: ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.

Five Oaks is about 5 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. Five Oaks is one of many places we visit across West Sussex. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, large and small. We also survey roofs in Crawley.

All of RH14 is within our area for electronic leak detection. That includes homes and businesses on Horsham Road, Hayes Wood Road and Stane Street and the roads around them. Nearby, we also carry out electronic leak detection in The Haven (1 mile north-west), Billingshurst (2 miles south-west), Slinfold (2 miles north-east), Newpound Common (3 miles west) and Coneyhurst (3 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Crawley (12 miles north-east), Horsham (5 miles east), Worthing (15 miles south), Haywards Heath (15 miles east), Burgess Hill (15 miles south-east) and Broadfield (10 miles east).

Around Five Oaks

Five Oaks’s nearest station is Billingshurst station, roughly 2.2 miles south. Nearby you will also find Christs Hospital School Museum (3.1 miles east) and Horsham Hospital (5 miles east).

Map of Five Oaks © OpenStreetMap contributors

How the survey changes by roof type

Inverted and paved roofs

Paving and terraces cover the membrane. Whether it can be tested depends on the build-up.

Green and ballasted roofs

Roofs with planting or ballast hide the membrane. Testing may still be possible, depending on the build-up.

Your questions about electronic leak detection in Five Oaks

Do you cover smaller places like Five Oaks?

Yes, Five Oaks is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.

Is my home in Five Oaks listed or in a conservation area?

Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.

Do you need to get into the loft?

Usually, if there is one and it can be reached safely. The loft space can show things the outside can’t, like damp timbers, staining or daylight.

What happens after the survey?

You receive the written report by email, with photographs and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.

Do you use low-voltage or high-voltage testing?

It depends on the membrane and the build-up. Low-voltage testing typically needs a wet surface and high-voltage methods need the membrane dry and exposed.

How fast do I get the report?

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, ready to forward.

Will you fly a drone over my roof?

Yes, where it’s applicable. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.

How we price electronic leak detection

Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:

  • The shape of the roof and its details
  • Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
  • How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
  • How big the roof is

All our prices include VAT. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof. You’ll know the price for your survey before you book.

What to let us know when you contact us

We will normally ask about:

  • Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
  • The property’s address and postcode
  • Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
  • Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window

Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. You will have a price before anything is arranged.

What you can safely check yourself

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.

Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when you book.

Tips from our surveys

From years of surveys, a few habits stand out as worth the effort:

  • Limit access to the roof
  • Keep a note of leaks after rain
  • Tell us about the membrane and build-up if you know it
  • Do not leave water getting in

Wet insulation may need attention after a leak. Your roofer can advise on that and other checks can help judge it.

Consider testing a new membrane before it is covered. Finding breaches is simpler at that stage.

What happens on the day

Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof; as a rough guide, the survey takes a time that depends on the membrane area and the build-up, which we’ll explain when we quote. You’re welcome to ask questions while we are there. Older roofs in small places like Five Oaks can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.

  1. First, we confirm which roof areas are included.
  2. We get the roof ready for testing.
  3. Testing runs across the agreed area.
  4. Each breach found is located and recorded.
  5. The report is sent for your roofer to act on.

Before we arrive

  • Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
  • If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
  • Jot down any questions you want answered

Book a survey

To get a price for electronic leak detection in Five Oaks, call 07833 053749 or email us. A few details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.

Book your survey

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20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT