Essex · London and the South East
Harrowcross Electronic Leak Detection
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes in Harrowcross, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Holes around roof penetrations
- Leaks through a covered membrane
- Waterproofing to test before it is covered
Practical tips
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Let us know about the membrane and build-up if you know it
- Make sure trades protect the waterproofing
- Get leaks traced quickly
- Note where leaks show inside and when
If we think the leak is not coming through the membrane, the report says so, with a suggestion of what to check next.
Make sure contractors protect the waterproofing when they work up there. Have the roof looked at after other work.
About our electronic leak detection in Harrowcross
Roofs covered with paving, ballast or planting need more thought. The layers on top can limit the methods we can use and parts may need to be lifted. We will 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 cannot be tested. We survey roof terraces and balconies, flat roof membranes and green roofs, and the problems we are asked to look at most are failed seams and laps and leaks under green or ballasted roofs.
Older buildings in small places like Harrowcross may be listed or in a conservation area, and that can affect how an extension roof or dormer is re-covered. Check with the council before planning any change of material. 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.
Findings are set out part by part, from the coverings down to the gutters, with a note and a photo for each point. You will see the good as well as the bad.
- Location
- Harrowcross (CO9)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Cost
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What electronic leak detection looks like in Harrowcross
Clay tiles and timber weatherboarding mark out many of the older buildings in Essex, and plenty of post-war and modern estates besides. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are lots of flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops. With Hedingham Castle about 1.7 miles north-east, Harrowcross sits in an area with a long building history. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
If you live in an older home near Church of St Peter, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof. Take a building like Hedingham School and Sixth Form: a large flat roof with a good many outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail.
Harrowcross is about 3 miles north-west of Halstead, in Essex. Harrowcross is one of many places we visit across Essex. We cover towns and villages across Essex. We also survey roofs in Chelmsford.
Electronic leak detection in CO9 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Other places close to Harrowcross include Sible Hedingham (1 mile north-east), Almshouse Green (1 mile west), Castle Hedingham (2 miles north-east), Gosfield (3 miles south) and Beazley End (4 miles south-west). Further out, we also cover Colchester (15 miles east), Braintree (6 miles south), Witham (12 miles south), Saffron Walden (15 miles west), Camulodunum (14 miles south-east) and Halstead (3 miles south-east).
Near you in Harrowcross
We work in homes and buildings around The White Lion pub. Well-known places in the area include Hedingham Castle (1.7 miles north-east) and Halstead Hospital (3 miles south-east). Not far away are Belcher's and Broadfield Woods.
Places near Harrowcross
Other services in Harrowcross
How it works
The visit normally starts outside and finishes in the loft: outside views come first, then the roof space if there’s safe access. In total, it takes a time that depends on the membrane area and the build-up, and we’ll give you a guide when quoting. For a village or hamlet like Harrowcross, the journey is planned in advance: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from the loft where there’s safe access and from the roof where it is safe.
- You tell us about the roof and where water is showing.
- We check whether the membrane and build-up suit ELD.
- We choose a low-voltage or high-voltage method to match the roof.
- We test the roof and locate any breaches.
- A report with photos shows where each breach is.
Before the survey
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Arrange a survey
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
What you can safely check yourself
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
Why act early in Harrowcross
Patching where you think the leak is often misses it. ELD shows the actual breach points. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Harrowcross, driving rain gets into any weakness, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
For a price for your roof in Harrowcross, call 07833 053749 or email us and tell us about the roof. We’ll confirm the figure before booking.
What you get with us
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Surveys on any day of the week
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
See our cost guide or two real surveys.
Different roofs, different checks
Bituminous membranes
Older felt roofs frequently have seams and patches where breaches occur. We test where the roof suits it.
Green and ballasted roofs
Some layers may need lifting for testing. We discuss this before quoting.
Common questions in Harrowcross
Is my home in Harrowcross listed or in a conservation area?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Is Harrowcross in the area you cover?
Yes, Harrowcross is within the area we cover. We work right across London and South East England. You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
How is ELD priced?
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, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We do not sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
What is electronic leak detection?
It uses an electrical current to find breaches in a flat roof membrane. The current only gets through where the membrane is breached, which shows us where the hole is.
Will you go up on the roof?
Only when it is safe. Safety comes first, and fragile or steep roofs can’t always be walked on. Safe viewpoints, the loft and a drone where applicable let us see the rest.
What electronic leak detection doesn’t cover
Some things cannot be seen without opening up the roof, so a survey has limits:
- Moisture spread under the membrane
- Roofs whose membrane or build-up isn’t suitable
- Carrying out the repair work
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will recommend the right survey before booking. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Commercial flat roofs
- Single-ply roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Green roofs