Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Hardwick, Oxfordshire
An experienced roof surveyor for electronic leak detection in Hardwick. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and the South East.
- Damp inside with no sign on the roof
- Leaks at pipes, outlets or fixings
- Holes left by work on the roof
Different roofs, different checks
Inverted and paved roofs
Paving and terraces cover the membrane. Whether it can be tested depends on the build-up.
Liquid-applied waterproofing
Pinholes in a coating can let water through. ELD can help locate them on suitable roofs.
How electronic leak detection works in Hardwick
There are different ELD methods. Low-voltage methods normally need a wet roof surface and high-voltage methods need the membrane dry and exposed. Which one suits depends on the membrane and the layers of the roof, and we will explain our choice. We will say if your roof doesn’t suit either method at the outset. We are often asked to look into gaps at membrane joints and patched roofs that still leak, across green roofs, commercial flat roofs and roof terraces and balconies.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Hardwick take more wind and rain, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Older felt roofs, often around 15–20 years in life, show it first. EPDM rubber and GRP coverings last longer, but their edges and joints still need checking. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.
- Where
- Hardwick (OX27)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we cannot see
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Leaks from plumbing or windows
- Repairing the breaches (that’s for your roofer)
- How wet the insulation is
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you before booking. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Single-ply roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Commercial flat roofs
- Green roofs
Surveys for landlords and agents in Hardwick
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Larger roofs take longer, and they’re priced for the size.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. Access is agreed with the tenant in advance.
Can I check my roof myself?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
Keep a simple record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us as you book.
Hardwick: your questions answered
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Hardwick?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Will you come out to Hardwick?
Yes. Hardwick is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We survey roofs across London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
What is electronic leak detection?
ELD passes a small electrical current across the roof to locate holes in the membrane. A breach lets the current through so we can pinpoint it.
What’s in the survey report?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, finishing with recommendations. The most urgent items are made clear.
How much does electronic leak detection cost?
We quote electronic leak detection for each roof, as the method and time depend on the roof. The price depends on the roof’s size and build-up. For a quote, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Will you repair the leak?
No. ELD is testing only. You get the breach locations with photos so your roofer can fix them.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, so it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Electronic leak detection in Hardwick: local notes
West Oxfordshire’s older buildings often carry Cotswold stone slates, and a few villages in the county keep their thatch. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile. Flat roofs fill the gaps in between, on extensions, garages, dormers and business premises. Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent.
If you own a rental within reach of Bicester North station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. The streets around a church such as Church of St Mary are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof.
Hardwick is about 4 miles north of Bicester, in Oxfordshire. We cover Hardwick and the rest of Oxfordshire. Our area takes in places right across Oxfordshire, large and small. You can also see our page for Oxford.
Electronic leak detection in OX27 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We also cover the places around Hardwick: Hethe (1 mile east), Stoke Lyne (1 mile south-west), Fringford (2 miles east), Bucknell (3 miles south-west) and Stratton Audley (3 miles south-east). Larger places within reach include Oxford (15 miles south), Banbury (10 miles north-west), Bicester (4 miles south), Kidlington (11 miles south-west), Headington Quarry (14 miles south) and Bure Park (4 miles south).
Landmarks near Hardwick
Typical jobs here are in homes near Whitmore Arms Public House. The nearest railway station is Bicester North station, roughly 4.2 miles south of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Ardley Castle (2.8 miles south-west) and Bicester Community Hospital (4.6 miles south).
What happens on the day
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof; as a rough guide, the survey takes more time on a big roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too. You’re welcome to ask questions while we’re there. Cottages and farmhouses around Hardwick often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- 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.
- You receive the results to pass to your roofer.
Preparing for the visit
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Arrange a survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there is time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.
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How we price electronic leak detection
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. The main factors are:
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Building height and the viewpoints available
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. You will know the figure before booking.
Getting in touch
You don’t need to know any roofing terms. It’s enough to let us know:
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
- The address and postcode of the property
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and the days you’d prefer.