East Sussex · London and the South East
Electronic Leak Detection in Friston
Not sure what state the flat roof membrane is in? We carry out electronic leak detection in Friston and across East Sussex.
- Punctures from foot traffic or tools
- A flat roof leak that cannot be traced
- Patched roofs that still leak
Surveys for landlords and agents in Friston
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed in advance. We survey seven days a week, which can make access easier.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer, so they’re priced to suit.
How electronic leak detection works in Friston
There are different ELD methods. Low-voltage methods usually need a wet roof surface, while high-voltage testing needs a dry, exposed membrane. The right method depends on the membrane and the build-up of the roof, and we’ll explain our choice. If neither method suits your roof, we’ll tell you before any testing starts. If you’ve noticed gaps at membrane joints and leaks under green or ballasted roofs, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
In a smaller place like Friston, some flat roofs sit in the open, where wind can catch loose edges and trims. Felt and bitumen also age in strong sun. The signs are splits, blisters and edges coming away. Standing water that lingers for days after rain is another sign worth watching for.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters. You’ll see the good as well as the bad.
- Place
- Friston (BN20)
- Wider area
- East Sussex
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Places near Friston
Other services in Friston
Electronic leak detection around Friston
The coast is about 1 mile or less from Friston, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. On a flat roof near the sea, edge trims and upstands take the brunt of the wind, and metal parts corrode faster. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs, and the county’s older buildings include oast houses and Wealden hall houses. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are plenty of flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops.
If you let a flat or house near Eastbourne station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies. Historic houses like Alfriston Clergy House, about 3.7 miles north-west, show how far back building around Friston goes. Older homes nearby may have later flat-roofed extensions or dormers, often re-covered more than once. If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of St Simon and St Jude, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof.
Friston is about 4 miles south-west of Eastbourne, in East Sussex. Friston is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area across London and South East England. Our East Sussex coverage includes Friston and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Brighton page.
Surveys in BN20 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Streets in the area include Dene Side, Dene Close and Michel Close, all of which we cover. Other places close to Friston include East Dean (1 mile south-west), Birling Gap (1 mile south), Jevington (2 miles north), Old Town (3 miles east) and Meads (3 miles east). Further out, we also cover Eastbourne (4 miles north-east), Bexhill-on-Sea (13 miles north-east), Seaford (4 miles west), Lewes (12 miles north-west), Hailsham (7 miles north) and Uckfield (15 miles north).
Local landmarks in Friston
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Tiger Inn. Friston’s nearest station is Eastbourne station, about 3.2 miles east. A little further out are Eastbourne District General Hospital (3 miles north-east) and Filching Manor And Motor Museum (3 miles north). For a walk, there is Combe Hill.
DIY checks: what’s safe
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Common questions in Friston
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Friston, take more of a battering?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, while strong wind lifts anything already loose.
How do I find out if my home in Friston is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
What’s in the report?
It explains what we saw, what it means and what we’d suggest, backed by photographs. Anything we couldn’t see safely is noted too, so you know exactly what was covered.
How do I arrange electronic leak detection in Friston?
The quickest way is to call 07833 053749 or send us an email. Give us the address and a few details about the roof, and we’ll suggest the right survey. Surveys run on any day of the week.
Which method do you use?
The method is chosen to suit the roof. Low-voltage testing usually needs a wet surface and high-voltage methods need the membrane dry and exposed.
Does ELD include fixing the breach?
No, the test finds the breaches and your roofer repairs them. The report gives your roofer the locations.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
Roof by roof
Inverted and paved roofs
We’ll tell you if your inverted or paved roof is not suitable.
Liquid-applied waterproofing
Liquid waterproofing has no laps, but can still have thin spots or holes. Whether ELD works depends on the coating and build-up.
What affects the price in Friston
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- How big the roof is
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
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.
What we need to know
To price your survey accurately, we will ask about:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
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 phone 07833 053749 or email us when you’re ready.
Tips from our surveys
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:
- Find the breach before more patching
- Record dates and spots where water appears
- Don’t leave water getting in
- Keep foot traffic on flat roofs to a minimum
If we think the leak is not coming through the membrane, the report says so, so other causes can be checked.
Make sure contractors protect the waterproofing when they work up there. Check the roof after they’ve finished.
What we do, step by step
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 longer on a large roof than a small one, with the construction of the roof playing a part too. A visit to Friston is planned like any other: the time, the access and where to park are agreed ahead of time. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. If there are outbuildings or garages you want looked at, mention them.
- We agree the area to be tested.
- The surface is prepared for the chosen method.
- We work across the roof with the test equipment.
- We mark the breach locations in our records.
- The report is sent for your roofer to act on.
Preparing for the visit
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Book a survey
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and give us some details about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.