East Sussex · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Hankham, East Sussex
Get a clear view of the flat roof membrane at a property in Hankham from an independent roof surveyor. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Patched roofs that still leak
- Leaks under green or ballasted roofs
- Waterproofing to test before it’s covered
Flat and commercial roofs around Hankham
The coast is about 3 miles or less from Hankham, where sea air brings more salt and stronger 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. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings, alongside oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Next to the main roofs there’s usually a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
For landlords with property near Pevensey & Westham station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round. Michelham Priory, about 4.4 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Hankham. Older homes nearby may have later flat-roofed extensions or dormers, frequently re-covered more than once.
Hankham is about 3 miles north of Eastbourne, in East Sussex. Whether the building in Hankham is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. Hankham is one of the towns and villages in East Sussex we cover. There is also a page for Brighton.
We survey roofs across BN24 for electronic leak detection. We offer electronic leak detection to properties on Hankham Road, Milton Street and Foords Lane. If you are just outside Hankham, we cover Blackness (1 mile south-west), Stone Cross (1 mile south), Polegate (2 miles west), Lower Willingdon (2 miles south-west) and Willingdon (2 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Eastbourne (3 miles south), Hastings (12 miles east), Bexhill-on-Sea (8 miles east), Seaford (9 miles west), Lewes (13 miles west) and Hailsham (3 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Hankham
We work in homes and buildings around The Red Lion pub and Causeway School and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Pevensey & Westham station, about 1.4 miles south-east of the centre. A little further out are Eastbourne District General Hospital (2.9 miles south-west) and Pevensey Castle (1.7 miles east). The countryside around Hankham includes Combe Hill.
About our electronic leak detection in Hankham
A leak in a flat roof often shows up a long way from where the water gets in. So the stain inside rarely sits under the hole. ELD tests the waterproofing directly, to find where it has been breached. It is testing only and leave the repair to your roofer. On a suitable roof, it takes the guesswork out of finding the hole. We then send you the results in a written report. We’re often asked to look into holes around roof penetrations and stains far from any visible defect, across single-ply roofs, flat roof membranes and commercial flat roofs.
Somewhere as small as Hankham, flat roofs tend to be on extensions, garages and converted outbuildings. They need the same care as any town roof: the covering, the edges, the upstands and where water drains away. The journey and access are planned beforehand. If there are outbuildings or garages with flat roofs, mention them when you book.
The report records the flat roof membrane as we found it on the day. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, for example when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Location
- Hankham (BN24)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Price
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Useful tips for Hankham property owners
Small things make a difference. Our tips:
- Do not leave water getting in
- Ask contractors to protect the membrane
- Stay off the flat roof unless needed
- Avoid repeated repairs without finding the cause
If we think the leak is not coming through the membrane, the report says so, with a suggestion of what to check next.
Consider testing a new membrane before it is covered. It’s easier to find holes before more layers are added.
Roof by roof
Green and ballasted roofs
Roofs with planting or ballast hide the membrane. Testing may still be possible, depending on the build-up.
EPDM rubber roofs
Whether an EPDM roof can be tested depends on the membrane and build-up. We check before we quote.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work with less disruption.
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, with the most urgent items set out first.
What we do, step by step
The visit normally starts outside and finishes in the loft: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the loft space where it can be reached. All told, expect a length of time set by the size of the roof and how it’s built, which we’ll explain when we quote. Rural addresses near Hankham can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- You tell us about the roof and where water is showing.
- We check whether the membrane and build-up suit ELD.
- The test method is chosen to suit the roof.
- We test the roof and locate any breaches.
- A report with photos shows where each breach is.
How to prepare
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
Arrange a survey
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We’ll confirm the price before you book.
Related advice
Nearby places to Hankham
Also in Hankham
When to book a survey in Hankham
On a flat roof, water spreads under the waterproofing. The stain inside can be far from the hole which makes it hard to find by looking.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Leaks showing away from the breach
- Breaches around outlets and penetrations
- Failed seams and laps
- A flat roof leak that cannot be traced
Take a building like Hankham Primary School: large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- What the survey won’t cover
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Their report turnaround times
FAQs for Hankham
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Hankham?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Is the coastal weather around Hankham hard on roofs?
Often, yes. Within about 3 miles of the sea, as Hankham is, metal fixings wear faster and gales find any loose ridge or slate.
Is my roof suitable for ELD?
ELD doesn’t suit every roof. Certain membranes are conductive, and some build-ups lack a suitable layer below. We will tell you if yours is not suitable before testing.
How much time does ELD need?
It typically takes a time that depends on the size of the roof and how it’s built, which we set out in the quote.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We don’t sample or test for asbestos. Where a material might contain it, like old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first, with whoever owns or manages the building. Tell us about it when booking and we will plan the survey around it.
Does someone need to be in?
That depends on the survey. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
It is useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry and it will help the survey.