Roof surveys across London and the South East 07833 053749info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk

Kent · London and the South East

Electronic leak detection in Northfleet, Kent

Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes for Northfleet, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.

  • Waterproofing to test before it’s covered
  • Breaches hidden under paving or planting
  • Failed seams and laps

Electronic leak detection for Northfleet homes and businesses

Signs you need electronic leak detection in Northfleet

Seams are a common weak point in flat roof waterproofing. A gap that is hard to see can let water in for months before it shows.

People normally book a survey after spotting one of these:

  • Water coming in under a flat roof
  • Punctures from foot traffic or tools
  • Leaks under green or ballasted roofs
  • New membranes needing a check before handover

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.

What to check before booking

  • Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
  • Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
  • What they will not be able to tell you
  • Whether the loft is part of the inspection

What to expect from a roof survey

About our electronic leak detection in Northfleet

ELD finds breaches in the membrane but not every way water gets in. Leaks from walls, copings, rooflights or pipes need other checks. We will tell you if we think the leak is coming from somewhere else. It will not show water getting in through brickwork or around frames. The report makes clear what was and wasn’t tested. You’ll also know what to check next. If you are worried about a flat roof leak that can’t be traced and holes left by work on the roof, a survey will tell you what’s going on.

In a town like Northfleet, flat roofs are common on rear extensions, garages, porches and dormers. Many are felt, and newer ones may be EPDM rubber or GRP. Ponding water, splits along the edges and lifting upstands are the usual warning signs. Water that sits for days after rain is often the first sign a flat roof needs attention.

You can share the report with anyone who needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.

Illustration of a roof survey report with roof pictures, text lines and a checklist beside it
Location
Northfleet (DA11)
Region
Kent
Price
Quoted for your roof
Report
Written, with photos, emailed to you
Appointments
Monday to Sunday, daytime
Insurance
PI and public liability insurance
Call
07833 053749
Page updated
27 October 2026

What this survey can’t tell you

Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:

  • Some conductive membranes
  • Sections we cannot safely access
  • Leaks from walls, copings or rooflights

If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.

What this survey covers

  • Commercial flat roofs
  • Flat roof membranes
  • Green roofs
  • Liquid-applied waterproofing
  • Single-ply roofs
  • Roof terraces and balconies

Flat and commercial roofs around Northfleet

Northfleet is within about 3 miles of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Wind can catch loose edges and trims on a flat roof, and salt air is hard on metal trims, flashings and fixings. There are several hotels within about a mile and a half of Northfleet, and hotels, like offices and blocks of flats, often have flat roofs. For hotels and other commercial buildings, finding the cause of a flat roof leak quickly keeps rooms in use.

Landlords with a home close to Gravesend station may find that the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. Historic houses such as Cobham College, about 3.7 miles south-east, show how far back building around Northfleet goes. On a period home nearby, any flat roof is likely to be a later addition with its own lifespan.

Northfleet is about 5 miles east of Dartford, in Kent. Roofs in Northfleet get the same thorough look as anywhere else in Kent. Northfleet is one of the towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our Maidstone page covers surveys nearby.

Electronic leak detection in DA11 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. If you need electronic leak detection at a property on Lawrance Square, London Road and Marks Square or a nearby road, we can survey it. Northfleet sits on or near the A2 and A226. Nearby, we also carry out electronic leak detection in Painters Ash (1 mile south-west), Springhead (1 mile west), Windmill Hill (1 mile east), Northfleet Green (1 mile south) and Gravesend (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (14 miles south-east), Dartford (5 miles west), Sevenoaks (13 miles south-west), Swanley (8 miles west), Kings Hill (11 miles south) and Foley Park (13 miles south-east).

What’s near Northfleet

In Northfleet, that means homes and buildings near The Six Bells pub, Saint George's Church of England School and Copperfield Academy and the streets around them. The closest station to Northfleet is Gravesend station, roughly 1 mile north-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Bluewater (3.3 miles west) and Stone Castle (3.1 miles west). For a walk, there is Chafford Gorges Nature Park and Sawyers Lake.

Map of Northfleet © OpenStreetMap contributors

What happens on the day

We work from the outside in: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the loft space where it can be reached. All told, expect as long as needed for the roof’s area and construction, which we set out in the quote. For a home in Northfleet, the main things we need are a way into the loft, a route to the back garden and somewhere to park. Someone needs to let us in, so let us know who that will be.

  1. We start by finding out what the roof is made of and where it leaks.
  2. We confirm whether the roof is suitable for electronic testing.
  3. The testing method is chosen to suit the membrane and build-up.
  4. The roof is tested and any breaches are located.
  5. The breaches are recorded with photographs in a report for your roofer.

Preparing for the visit

  • Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
  • Point out any leaks or damp patches
  • Make sure pets are kept safely away

Booking a survey

To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price before booking.

Book your survey

Advice

Should I look at the roof myself first?

Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.

It is useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry and it will help the survey.

Before and after the survey

A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They apply to most roofs:

  • Keep outlets clear of debris
  • Ask contractors to protect the membrane
  • Consider ELD before paving or planting goes on
  • Get leaks traced quickly

The report records each breach location with photos. Your roofer uses it to carry out repairs.

Consider testing a new membrane before it is covered. It is easier to find holes before more layers are added.

FAQs for Northfleet

Is the coastal weather around Northfleet hard on roofs?

It can do. Within about 3 miles of the sea, as Northfleet is, metal fixings wear faster and gales find any loose ridge or slate.

Do you cover commercial flat roofs around Northfleet?

Yes, commercial buildings, hotels included, are part of the work. Roof access is agreed with the building manager or owner beforehand.

Can you inspect my roof with a drone?

Yes, where it’s applicable. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.

Can you survey a shared roof?

Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from whoever owns or manages the building. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.

How experienced are you?

We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.

How much does electronic leak detection cost?

We quote electronic leak detection for each roof, as the method and time depend on the roof. Size, build-up and access all affect the price. To get a quote, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.

Will you walk on the roof?

Not unless it’s safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where applicable, a drone, and anything out of sight is recorded in the report.

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. Around Northfleet, gutters that overflow soak the wall below. At roof level, a loose tile or tired flashing does the same. Neither gets better on its own.

Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before booking.

Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Northfleet

  • Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
  • More than 20 years surveying roofs
  • 5,000+ surveys completed
  • Thermal imaging and drones used where they help

See our cost guide or what we found on two real jobs.

20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT