Essex · London and the South East
Electronic Leak Detection in Jack's Hatch
Electronic leak detection across Jack's Hatch, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. Every survey ends with a written report and photographs.
- Repairs that haven’t stopped the leak
- Damp inside with no sign on the roof
- Waterproofing to test before it’s covered
Electronic leak detection in Jack's Hatch
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. If neither method suits your roof, we will tell you at the outset. Typical surveys look at stains far from any visible defect and leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause, on flat roof membranes, roof terraces and balconies and single-ply roofs.
Somewhere as small as Jack's Hatch, 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. We simply plan the journey and access ahead of time. If there are outbuildings or garages with flat roofs, mention them when booking.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Place
- Jack's Hatch (CM16)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Price
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Useful tips for Jack's Hatch property owners
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out as worth the effort:
- Tell us about the membrane and build-up if you know it
- Keep foot traffic on flat roofs to a minimum
- Find the breach before more patching
- Check new waterproofing before handover
If water has been getting in, insulation under the membrane may be wet. That is something to discuss with your roofer, and moisture readings can help.
Ask trades working on the roof to protect the membrane when they work up there. Have the roof looked at after other work.
Why act early in Jack's Hatch
Cutting open a flat roof to find a leak can cause more damage. ELD aims to locate the breach first so your roofer knows where to work. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Jack's Hatch, driving rain gets into any weakness, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how safely it can be seen. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof.
Why us?
- An independent view of the roof
- Photos and a written report every time
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- 5,000+ surveys completed
What we look for on each type of roof
Bituminous membranes
Bituminous roofs often have laps and old repairs where breaches occur. Testing depends on the roof.
Liquid-applied waterproofing
Pinholes in a coating can let water through. ELD can help locate them on suitable roofs.
What this survey cannot tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Bear these in mind:
- Some conductive membranes
- How wet the insulation is
- Leaks from plumbing or windows
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will point you to the right survey before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flat roof membranes
- Commercial flat roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Green roofs
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Single-ply roofs
Flat and commercial roofs around Jack's Hatch
Clay tiles and timber weatherboarding mark out many of the older buildings in Essex, with post-war and more recent estates making up much of the newer housing. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are a good many flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops. 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. Re-roofing in different materials may need permission there.
Anyone responsible for a site like Water Lane Primary Academy will know that a large flat roof with a good many outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail. For landlords with property near Roydon station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies. Take an older house close to St James with St Luke: the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems normally start.
Jack's Hatch is about 3 miles south-west of Harlow, in Essex. Bookings from Jack's Hatch are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Our area takes in places right across Essex, from the larger towns to small villages. London is in our area too.
Postcode districts we cover here for electronic leak detection: CM16. Main roads around Jack's Hatch include the B181, which makes travel easy. Nearby, we also carry out electronic leak detection in Broadley Common (1 mile west), Epping Green (1 mile south), Tylerscross (1 mile north-west), Staple Tye (1 mile north-east) and Great Parndon (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include Harlow (3 miles north-east), Brentwood (13 miles south-east), Loughton (6 miles south), Waltham Abbey (5 miles south-west), Great Dunmow (15 miles north-east) and Epping (3 miles south-east).
Near you in Jack's Hatch
Around Jack's Hatch, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Travellers Friend pub, Nazeing Triangle and Stewards School and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Roydon station, roughly 3 miles north-west. A little further out are Harlow Mill (4.1 miles north-east) and Nazeing Glass Museum (3.3 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Cheshunt Lake and Hunsdon Mead.
Questions from Jack's Hatch
Is my home in Jack's Hatch listed or in a conservation area?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Is Jack's Hatch in the area you cover?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and the South East, and Jack's Hatch is part of that. Just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the property, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey seven days a week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Just let us know the days that suit you.
How long does electronic leak detection take?
It typically takes a time that depends on the membrane area and the build-up, and we’ll give you a guide when quoting.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We don’t sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If there’s a loft and safe access to it, yes. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that cannot be seen from outside.
Can you survey in bad weather?
A survey can typically go ahead in light rain. Strong wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather isn’t suitable.
Towns and villages near Jack's Hatch
Other services in Jack's Hatch
How it works
The visit usually starts outside and finishes in the loft: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the roof space where it can be reached. In total, it takes longer on a large roof than a small one, with the construction of the roof playing a part too. Somewhere like Jack's Hatch needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect everything that’s safely in view, inside and out.
- We start by finding out what the roof is made of and where it leaks.
- The roof is assessed to see if electronic testing will work on it.
- We pick the low-voltage or high-voltage method that suits the roof.
- We test the membrane and find where current is passing through it.
- You get a report showing where each breach is, for your roofer to repair.
Before we arrive
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
How to book
For a price for electronic leak detection in Jack's Hatch, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. A few details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
Read more
What a survey costs
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- The shape of the roof and its details
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
Every price we give includes VAT. We quote electronic leak detection for each roof, as the method and time depend on the roof. We confirm the price for your survey before booking.
Helping us price your survey
A few details help us recommend the right survey and price. When you get in touch, it helps to mention:
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.