West Sussex · London and the South East
Electronic Leak Detection in Highleigh
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes around Highleigh, with a written report you can act on. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- New roofs to check before paving or planting
- Punctures from foot traffic or tools
- Water coming in under a flat roof
Electronic leak detection around Highleigh
Highleigh lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Wind can catch loose edges and trims on a flat roof, and salt air is hard on metal trims, flashings and fixings. Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages and business units are found alongside them almost everywhere.
If you live in an older home near St Mary Our Lady Sidlesham, any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof. Landlords with a home close to Chichester station may find that flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Highleigh is about 3 miles north of Selsey, in West Sussex. We cover Highleigh and the rest of West Sussex, as part of our work across London and South East England. Highleigh is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover for electronic leak detection. Portsmouth is in our area too.
Surveys in PO20 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Whether your property is on Critchel's Lane, Highleigh Road and Green Lane or anywhere close by, we can help. We also cover Almodington (1 mile west), Birdham (2 miles north-west), Somerley (2 miles west), Earnley (2 miles west) and Shipton Green (3 miles north-west). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (5 miles east), Chichester (4 miles north), Selsey (3 miles south), Littlehampton (12 miles east), Emsworth (8 miles north-west) and Rustington (13 miles east).
Landmarks near Highleigh
For rail, the closest station is Chichester station, about 3.9 miles north. A little further out are Chichester Castle (4.5 miles north) and Selsey Lifeboat Museum (3.5 miles south). Open spaces near Highleigh include Pilsey Island.
Electronic leak detection for homes and businesses in Highleigh
A leak in a flat roof often shows up a long way from where the water gets in. That makes leaks hard to trace by eye. Electronic leak detection tests the membrane itself and locates the breach. We test and report and leave the repair to your roofer. On a suitable roof, it takes the guesswork out of finding the hole. The results then follow in a written report with photos. Typical surveys look at punctures from foot traffic or tools and new membranes needing a check before handover, across commercial flat roofs, liquid-applied waterproofing and roof terraces and balconies.
In a village or hamlet like Highleigh, flat roofs are typically on extensions, garages, outbuildings or barn conversions. They need the same care as any town roof: outlets, upstands, edges and the covering itself. We simply plan the journey and access in advance. Garages and outbuildings are easy to forget, so mention any you want included as you book.
Findings are set out part by part, from the coverings down to the gutters, with a note and a photo for each point. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Where
- Highleigh (PO20)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Some pointers:
- Test new membranes before covering them
- Keep outlets clear of debris
- Keep foot traffic on flat roofs to a minimum
- Let us know about the membrane and build-up if you know it
Once repairs are made, the roof can be tested again if you want to check them if the build-up allows.
Make sure contractors protect the waterproofing when they work up there. Have the roof looked at after other work.
What happens on the day
There is not much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes a length of time set by the membrane area and the build-up, and we’ll give you a guide when quoting. Older roofs in small places like Highleigh can have low, tight loft spaces, so let us know about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We start with what you know about the roof and the leak.
- The roof is assessed for suitability first.
- We choose a low-voltage or high-voltage method to match the roof.
- We test the roof and locate any breaches.
- You get a report with photos of each breach.
Getting ready for the survey
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
Arrange a survey
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.
Related advice
What happens if roof problems are left?
Patching where you think the leak is frequently misses it. Testing shows where the membrane is actually breached. In a place like Highleigh, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. A quick look before winter can save a lot.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. You will know the figure before booking.
Why book with us
- Photos and a written report every time
- Over 20 years’ experience
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
Read what a roof survey costs or our case studies.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
What we cannot see
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Roofs whose membrane or build-up is not suitable
- Leaks from plumbing or windows
- Fixing the holes we find
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will give you a straight answer before you book. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roofs we survey in Highleigh
- Commercial flat roofs
- Single-ply roofs
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Flat roof membranes
- Green roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
Highleigh: your questions answered
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Highleigh?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Highleigh?
It can do. Highleigh is within about 2 miles of the sea, and coastal roofs tend to see faster wear on metal parts and more wind lifting loose pieces.
Does ELD work under paving or planting?
Sometimes. It depends on the build-up and the layers above the membrane and parts may need to be lifted. We will discuss it before we quote.
How many surveys have you done?
We have been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
We carry out surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. To find a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We point out what can be seen, like sagging or deflection, but we’re not structural engineers and do not carry out calculations. If we think you need an engineer, the report says so.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Do you need electronic leak detection in Highleigh?
A breach can be left during installation. ELD on a new roof can show holes before they cause leaks.
People usually book a survey after spotting something like this:
- Waterproofing to test before it is covered
- Leaks that return after repairs
- Leaks through a covered membrane
- Damp inside with no sign on the roof
Take a building like Sidlesham Primary School: schools and public buildings frequently have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks.
Before you book anyone
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection