West Sussex · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Ford, West Sussex
Find out the condition of the flat roof membrane at your property in Ford. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Leaks through a covered membrane
- Waterproofing to test before it’s covered
- Leaks at pipes, outlets or fixings
Local flat roofs in Ford
Ford lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Salt in the air is hard on metal flashings and fixings, and wind catches any loose edge on a flat roof. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as The Littlehampton Academy, schools and public buildings frequently have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks. For an older house near a landmark like The Parish Church of St Andrew, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof.
Ford is about 2 miles north-west of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. We survey roofs in Ford and the rest of West Sussex, as part of our work across London and the South East. Across West Sussex, we cover Ford and the places around it. We also survey roofs in Brighton.
All of BN18 is within our area for electronic leak detection, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We cover properties on Station Road, Ford Road and Rodney Crescent and the roads around them. We also cover the places around Ford: Tortington (1 mile north), Horsemere Green (1 mile south), Climping (1 mile south), Wick (1 mile east) and Lyminster (1 mile east). Further out, we also cover Worthing (8 miles east), Bognor Regis (5 miles south-west), Chichester (9 miles west), Selsey (11 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (14 miles east) and Lancing (11 miles east).
What’s near Ford
We work in homes and buildings around The Arundel Arms Public House At Ford Station, among other places. Ford has its own railway station: Ford station. Other landmarks nearby include Arundel and District Hospital (2.1 miles north) and Rustington Museum (3.5 miles east). For a walk, there’s WWT Arundel.
Electronic leak detection in Ford
Roofs covered with paving, ballast or planting need more thought. What sits on the membrane can affect which method will work, and some may need lifting. We’ll discuss it with you when we quote. Any details of the build-up help, as they show what lies beneath the surface. We will tell you if the roof can’t be tested. If you are worried about new roofs to check before paving or planting and leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause, we can find out what’s behind it.
Some older homes in villages like Ford are listed or in a conservation area, which can shape what a new flat roof may look like. If you’re planning work, check with the council first. Finding out what state the roof is in gives you the facts to plan with. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent.
The report does not just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Where
- Ford (BN18)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Other services in Ford
Do you need electronic leak detection in Ford?
Seams are a common weak point in flat roof waterproofing. A gap that is hard to see can let water in for months before it shows.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Holes left by work on the roof
- Breaches hidden under paving or planting
- New roofs to check before paving or planting
- Leaking laps in the waterproofing
Ecclesden Manor lies about 4.8 miles east, so building around Ford goes back a long way. On a period home nearby, any flat roof is likely to be a later addition with its own lifespan.
What to check before booking
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Their report turnaround times
- What experience they bring
- What they will not be able to tell you
Leave it or get it looked at?
Chasing a leak again and again is frustrating. A clear record of where the breaches are helps break that cycle. Older and listed buildings around Ford may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Why us?
- 20+ years’ experience
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Photographs and a written report every time
Take a look at our cost guide and our case studies.
Useful tips for Ford property owners
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Some tips:
- Keep outlets clear of debris
- Tell us about the membrane and build-up if you know it
- Check new waterproofing before handover
- Get leaks traced quickly
Questions about the results are welcome. We will explain what was found and what it means.
Limit foot traffic on flat roofs. Many breaches come from foot traffic.
Common questions in Ford
How do I find out if my home in Ford is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you cover smaller places like Ford?
Yes, Ford is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
How fast do I get the report?
The Premium Survey report comes the same day, the Standard within 24–48 hours and the Basic within 48 hours. All of them come by email.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Light rain is normally fine; heavy rain and wind are different. Strong wind or a downpour can make access unsafe and ground a drone, and we’d agree another day.
Do I need to be at home?
If the survey includes the loft or the inside of the building, someone needs to let us in. We will talk about access when booking.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A lot can be seen from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That’s where a survey comes in.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Ford
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out in order of urgency where relevant, which helps when budgeting.
How it works
Once we’ve finished looking, we write up our findings in a report with photos. As for time on site, it typically takes a time that depends on the size of the roof and how it’s built, which we’ll explain when we quote. Rural addresses near Ford can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- We agree the area to be tested.
- The surface is prepared for the chosen method.
- Testing runs across the agreed area.
- Each breach found is located and recorded.
- You receive the results to pass to your roofer.
Before the survey
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Booking a survey
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from ground level or a window. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.