Kent · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Hartley, Kent
Find out what’s going on with the flat roof membrane before you spend money on it. Electronic leak detection in Hartley.
- Holes left by work on the roof
- Patched roofs that still leak
- New roofs to check before paving or planting
What we can’t see
Before you book, it’s worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- Roofs whose membrane or build-up is not suitable
- How wet the insulation is
- Repairing the breaches (that’s for your roofer)
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Green roofs
- Single-ply roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Commercial flat roofs
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
About our electronic leak detection in Hartley
Electronic leak detection, or ELD, finds holes in flat roof waterproofing membranes. It works with an electrical current which can only get through the membrane at a breach. That lets us locate holes that are too small to see, so your roofer can repair them. The results come in a report with photos. If you’ve noticed failed seams and laps and leaks showing away from the breach, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
In a smaller place like Hartley, some flat roofs sit in the open, so wind catches loose edges and trims. Felt and bitumen also age in strong sun. Splits, blisters and lifting edges are what to look out for, along with water that sits after rain. Standing water that lingers for days after rain is another sign worth watching for.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.

- Place
- Hartley (DA3)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we’re asked to look at in Hartley
New membranes can have defects from installation. Testing before the roof is covered or handed over helps find them.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Leaks showing away from the breach
- A flat roof leak that cannot be traced
- New membranes needing a check before handover
- Breaches hidden under paving or planting
Shop and office owners around Bluewater may find that a flat roof over a business is out of sight and out of mind until it leaks.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What happens after the report arrives
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- Their insurance cover
- Whether VAT is added on top
Why get it checked now?
Opening up a roof to hunt for a leak is disruptive. Electronic testing finds the hole first so your roofer knows where to work. Around Hartley, leaves and moss in gutters lead to overflowing water and damp walls, particularly where trees overhang. Dealing with the cause is simple; drying out a wall is not.
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.
Why us?
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- PI and public liability insurance
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
See how roof surveys are priced or what we found on two real jobs.
Electronic leak detection in Hartley: local notes
Historic houses such as Cobham College, about 3.9 miles east, show how far back building in the area around Hartley goes. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years. Older houses across Kent often have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Flat roofs fill the gaps in between, on extensions, garages, dormers and business premises.
Take a building like Hartley Primary Academy: large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly. For landlords with property near Longfield station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Hartley is about 4 miles south-west of Northfleet, in Kent. Hartley is one of many places we visit across Kent. We cover towns and villages across Kent. Our Maidstone page covers surveys nearby.
All of DA3 is within our area for electronic leak detection. That includes homes and businesses on Church Road, Dickens Close and Stack Lane and the roads around them. Other places close to Hartley include Longfield (1 mile north), New Barn (1 mile north-east), Longfield Hill (1 mile east), New Ash Green (1 mile south) and Nash Street (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (13 miles south-east), Dartford (5 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (9 miles south-west), Gravesend (4 miles north-east), Tonbridge (13 miles south) and Northfleet (4 miles north-east).
Local landmarks in Hartley
In Hartley, that means homes and buildings near Railway Tavern, Rectory Meadow and Longfield Academy, among other places. The nearest railway station is Longfield station, roughly 0.8 miles north-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Darent Valley Hospital (4 miles north-west) and Stone Castle (4.1 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Sawyers Lake.
The survey, step by step
We will ask a few questions first, about the roof’s history, any leaks and past repairs. Then the inspection itself takes longer on a large roof than a small one, with the construction of the roof playing a part too. For a survey in Hartley, we agree the time, the access and parking before the day. 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.
- We get the roof ready for testing.
- Testing runs across the agreed area.
- We mark the breach locations in our records.
- The report is sent for your roofer to act on.
Before the survey
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
Book a survey
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from the ground or a window are fine, and please do not climb up for a closer look. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Read more
More services for Hartley
What affects the cost of electronic leak detection
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The roof’s overall size
For a price for your roof in Hartley, call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details. We’ll confirm the figure before booking.
What to tell us when you get in touch
To price your survey accurately, we will ask about:
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- When you need the report by
- What’s prompted the survey
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
A quick phone call is usually the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Your questions about electronic leak detection in Hartley
How do I find out if my home in Hartley is listed?
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 Hartley within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
How long will testing take?
Testing typically takes more time on a big roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too.
What does the report include?
It sets out what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, backed by photos. Anything we couldn’t see safely is noted too, so you know exactly what was covered.
Do you use drones?
Where it helps and it is safe, yes. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator.
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.
How do you choose the testing method?
We choose the method that suits the roof. You will know which method we plan to use before we start.
Checking the roof from the ground
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.
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.