East Sussex · London and the South East
Northiam Electronic Leak Detection
Know where you stand with the flat roof membrane before you spend money on it. We carry out electronic leak detection in Northiam.
- Punctures from foot traffic or tools
- Repairs that haven’t stopped the leak
- A flat roof leak that cannot be traced
How the survey changes by roof type
Bituminous membranes
Bituminous felt and modified bitumen membranes are common. The build-up decides which method will work.
Liquid-applied waterproofing
Liquid-applied coatings form a seamless layer, but can still have thin spots or holes. Suitability for ELD depends on the system.
About our electronic leak detection in Northiam
You get a report showing the location of each breach with photos. It tells your roofer exactly where to repair instead of hunting for the leak. We don’t estimate repair costs; that’s for your roofer to price. Testing again after repairs can confirm the breaches have been dealt with, where the roof still suits the method. You get a written report with photos. If you are worried about damage from equipment installers and gaps at membrane joints, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
In a small place like Northiam, 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. Exposed edges are normally the first part of a flat roof to go.
The report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photo where possible.
- Where
- Northiam (TN31)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Report
- 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
How the survey works
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes more time on a big roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too. If you have questions on the day, just ask. In a small place like Northiam, access is typically the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We start by finding out what the roof is made of and where it leaks.
- We check that the membrane and build-up suit electronic leak detection.
- The testing method is chosen to suit the membrane and build-up.
- Testing runs across the roof to locate breaches in the membrane.
- We send a report with photos of each breach so your roofer can repair it.
Before we arrive
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Book a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Advice
Local flat roofs in Northiam
About 0.5 miles west lies Great Dixter, a reminder of how long the area around Northiam has been built on. If yours is one of the older homes, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings, alongside oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages and business units are found alongside them almost everywhere.
Take a building like Northiam Church of England Primary School: a large flat roof with a good many outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail.
Northiam is about 9 miles north of Hastings, in East Sussex. If you are in Northiam, booking works exactly as it does anywhere else: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Our area takes in places right across East Sussex, large and small. For surveys nearby, see our Maidstone page.
We cover every part of TN31 for electronic leak detection and the streets around it. Whether your property is on Station Road, Main Street and Elizabeth Gardens or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Northiam is on the A268, which makes it straightforward to reach. We also cover Beckley (2 miles south-east), Beckley Furnace (3 miles south), Broad Oak (3 miles south), Flackley Ash (3 miles east) and Broadland Row (4 miles south). Larger places within reach include Hastings (9 miles south), Bexhill-on-Sea (12 miles south-west), St Leonards (10 miles south), Hastings Old Town (10 miles south), Belmont (10 miles south) and Heathfield (15 miles west).
Near you in Northiam
We work in homes and buildings around Hayes Arms Hotel and the streets around them. Other landmarks nearby include The C.M Booth Collection (4 miles north). The countryside around Northiam includes Flatropers Wood.
Nearby places to Northiam
What else we do in Northiam
What you can safely check yourself
A lot can be seen from the ground. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please don’t climb up for a closer look.
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Northiam
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you get in touch and we will plan the survey around it.
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
What a survey costs
To price your survey, we look at:
- The size of the roof
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- House, block, shop or office
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof.
What to tell us when you contact us
There’s no need for technical words. Just tell us:
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- What’s prompted the survey
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
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 ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form when you are ready.
What we cannot see
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- Sections we can’t safely access
- The extent of water in the insulation
- Build-ups without a suitable layer below
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll tell you. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Green roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Commercial flat roofs
- Single-ply roofs
Your questions about electronic leak detection in Northiam
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Northiam?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Is Northiam within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs like sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
How soon will I get the report?
It depends on the package: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. Reports are sent by email.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain is usually fine; heavy rain and wind are different. In high wind or heavy rain, a drone can’t fly and access may not be safe, and we’d agree another day.
What happens next?
We email you the written report with photos and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.