West Sussex · London and the South East
Littlehampton Electronic Leak Detection
Wondering about the flat roof membrane at a property in Littlehampton? We carry out electronic leak detection in Littlehampton and across West Sussex.
- Repairs that haven’t stopped the leak
- Leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause
- Waterproofing to test before it’s covered
Electronic leak detection for homes and businesses in Littlehampton
ELD can be carried out in more than one way. Low-voltage testing is usually done with the surface wet 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’ll explain our choice. If neither method suits your roof, we will tell you at the outset. We’re often asked to look into leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause and waterproofing to test before it’s covered, across commercial flat roofs, flat roof membranes and single-ply roofs.
Around Littlehampton, many garages, porches and extensions have flat roofs of their own. Some older garages have cement sheet roofs, which on buildings from before 2000 may contain asbestos, so a specialist asbestos surveyor should check before they’re disturbed. Felt, rubber and fibreglass coverings each need a different approach. Asbestos testing is not part of what we do, though a report may flag materials that could contain it.
Where we cannot see part of the flat roof membrane, the report says so. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Where
- Littlehampton (BN17, BN16)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How it works
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you need to know. After that, we look at everything we can see safely, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where it applies. Most surveys take more time on a big roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too. In Littlehampton, many roofs join a neighbour’s, so we check what can be seen of the shared parts from your side. Tell us about any known leaks, past repairs or building work when booking, so time on site goes where it is needed.
- We agree the area to be tested.
- We get the roof ready for testing.
- We work across the roof with the test equipment.
- Each breach found is located and recorded.
- You receive the results to pass to your roofer.
Preparing for the visit
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it is shared
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Arrange a survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email when you are ready.
Related advice
What electronic leak detection looks like in Littlehampton
Littlehampton is within about 1 mile of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Salt in the air is hard on metal flashings and fixings, and wind catches any loose edge on a flat roof. There are several hotels within about a mile and a half of Littlehampton. For hotels and other commercial buildings, finding the cause of a flat roof leak quickly keeps rooms in use.
For landlords with property near Littlehampton station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round. Historic houses such as Ecclesden Manor, about 2.9 miles north-east, show how far back building around Littlehampton goes. Older houses nearby frequently have flat roofs added much later, built to very different standards from the main roof.
Littlehampton is about 6 miles west of Worthing, in West Sussex. In Littlehampton, as across West Sussex, every roof gets the same careful survey. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. Our Brighton page covers surveys nearby.
Surveys in BN17 and BN16 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We offer electronic leak detection to properties on High Street, Parkside Avenue and Norman Close. Main roads around Littlehampton include the A259 and A284. Close by, we survey roofs in Toddington (1 mile north), Rustington (1 mile east), Wick (1 mile north-west), Lyminster (1 mile north-west) and Climping (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Worthing (6 miles east), Bognor Regis (7 miles west), Chichester (11 miles west), Selsey (12 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (12 miles east) and Lancing (9 miles east). Littlehampton is one of the larger places we cover in West Sussex.
Around Littlehampton
Typical jobs here are in homes near River Beach Primary School, New Inn Hotel and Littlehampton College and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Littlehampton station, about 0.7 miles west. Well-known places in the area include Zachary Merton Hospital (1.4 miles east) and Lyminster Siege Castle (2.8 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Highdown Hill and WWT Arundel.
Different roofs, different checks
Bituminous membranes
Bitumen roofs can frequently be tested electronically though the layers below matter.
Inverted and paved roofs
If the build-up rules out ELD, we will say so.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Littlehampton
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord. Access is agreed with the tenant in advance.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey on any day of the week, which can make access easier.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we check the roof.
It helps to keep a record: when leaks happen, ground-level photos and any past roof work. Share it with us when you book and it will help the survey.
How we price electronic leak detection
To price your survey, we look at:
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- The size of the roof
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
For a price for your roof in Littlehampton, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know about the roof. We’ll confirm the figure before booking.
Helping us price your survey
Before you get in touch, it helps to have:
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Access details, like a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Where the property is, with the postcode
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Also near Littlehampton
Also in Littlehampton
FAQs for Littlehampton
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Littlehampton?
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.
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Littlehampton, take more of a battering?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch, and Littlehampton is within about 1 mile of the coast.
Do you use drones?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
Can every flat roof be tested?
ELD doesn’t suit every roof. Certain membranes are conductive, and some build-ups lack a suitable layer below. If your roof will not work, we will say so before testing.
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. To get a quote, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
How long does electronic leak detection take?
It depends on the size of the roof and its build-up. You’ll know roughly how long before we start.
What’s in the survey report?
It explains what we saw, what it means and what we’d suggest, backed by photos. Anything we couldn’t see safely is noted too, so you know exactly what was covered.
Signs you need electronic leak detection in Littlehampton
Holes in a membrane often come from feet, tools or debris. Many are tiny but water still finds them.
Look out for signs like these:
- Patched roofs that still leak
- Holes left by work on the roof
- Leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause
- Breaches hidden under paving or planting
If you look after a building like The Littlehampton Academy, a large flat roof with a good many outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Which limits apply to the survey
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs