West Sussex · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Merston, West Sussex
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes for Merston, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause
- New membranes needing a check before handover
- Holes left by work on the roof
The survey, step by step
Photographs are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available. A typical visit takes longer on a large roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too. In a hamlet or village like Merston, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- First, we confirm which roof areas are included.
- The surface is prepared for the chosen method.
- Testing runs across the agreed area.
- We mark the breach locations in our records.
- The report is sent for your roofer to act on.
Preparing for the visit
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
Getting a price
To get a price for electronic leak detection in Merston, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. A few details about the property and the roof help us price the survey accurately.
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Electronic leak detection for homes and businesses in Merston
Green roofs, ballasted roofs and roofs under paving are harder to test. What sits on the membrane can affect which method will work and parts may need to be lifted. We talk this through before we quote. Drawings or details of the roof’s layers are useful, as they show what lies beneath the surface. We’ll tell you if the roof cannot be tested. If you are worried about leaks that return after repairs and leaking laps in the waterproofing, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
In a small place like Merston, a flat roof can stand in the open, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. Felt roofs, which frequently last around 15–20 years, typically show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
Nothing in the report is left vague: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, along with how urgent it is.
- Place
- Merston (PO20)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
Green and ballasted roofs
Parts of the covering may have to come up. We discuss this before quoting.
Liquid-applied waterproofing
Liquid waterproofing has no laps, but can still have thin spots or holes. Whether ELD works depends on the coating and build-up.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Merston
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed in advance. Surveys run on any day of the week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Merston. For a price for a let property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
What this survey can’t tell you
To be straight with you, there are limits to any roof survey:
- The extent of water in the insulation
- Leaks from walls, copings or rooflights
- Roofs whose membrane or build-up isn’t suitable
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Single-ply roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Commercial flat roofs
- Green roofs
Useful tips for Merston property owners
Most of what helps is simple and safe from ground level. Our suggestions:
- Share any drawings of the roof
- Limit access to the roof
- Make sure trades protect the waterproofing
- Don’t keep patching the same spot
Wet insulation may need attention after a leak. Your roofer can advise on that and other checks can help judge it.
Don’t leave a flat roof leak running. Water under a membrane can spread.
Towns and villages near Merston
What else we do in Merston
Merston questions
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Merston?
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.
Do you cover smaller places like Merston?
Yes, Merston is covered. We work right across London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
Will you repair the leak?
No. We test the membrane and report. You get the breach locations with photos for your roofer to repair.
How much time does ELD need?
It typically takes a time that depends on the membrane area and the build-up, and we’ll give you a guide when quoting.
What do I do with the report?
You will receive the report by email, and you decide the next step: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we’re allowed to reach.
How soon will I get the report?
Report times are set by the package. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. Mention any deadline as you book.
Electronic leak detection in Merston: local notes
Merston is within about 4 miles of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. On a flat roof near the sea, edge trims and upstands take the brunt of the wind, and metal parts corrode faster. Goodwood House, about 3.5 miles north, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Merston. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Take a building like North Mundham Primary School: large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly. Landlords with a home close to Chichester station may find that the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Church of St Giles, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Merston is about 3 miles south-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Merston is one of many places we visit across West Sussex, for homes and businesses alike. Across West Sussex, we cover Merston. Portsmouth is in our area too.
Every address in PO20 is within our area for electronic leak detection, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Close by, we survey roofs in Runcton (1 mile south-west), Colworth (1 mile east), Oving (1 mile north), North Mundham (1 mile west) and Lagness (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also cover Worthing (15 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles north-west), Selsey (6 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east) and Emsworth (9 miles west).
Landmarks near Merston
Typical jobs here are in homes near Chichester High School For Girls, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Chichester station, about 2.3 miles west. Well-known places in the area include The Chichester City Museum (2.3 miles north-west) and St Richard's Hospital (2.3 miles north-west).
What you can safely check yourself
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
You can learn a lot from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.