Kent · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Northwood, Kent
Find out what’s going on with the flat roof membrane before you decide what to do next. We carry out electronic leak detection in Northwood, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Patched roofs that still leak
- Leaks at pipes, outlets or fixings
- Stains far from any visible defect
Electronic leak detection for homes and businesses in Northwood
ELD is a way of pinpointing breaches in a flat roof’s waterproofing membrane. It works with an electrical current that passes through the membrane only where there is a breach. That lets us locate holes that are too small to see, so your roofer can repair them. The results come in a report with photos. If you’re worried about water coming in under a flat roof and leaking laps in the waterproofing, we can find out what’s behind it, on flat roof membranes, roof terraces and balconies and liquid-applied waterproofing alike.
Around Northwood, many homes have a garden room, garage or outbuilding with a flat roof. They’re easy to forget, but water through a garage roof can spoil whatever is stored inside. It is worth mentioning them as you book, so the visit can include them, along with the main flat roof. Smaller roofs use the same coverings as bigger ones, from felt to rubber and GRP, and age in the same way.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent.
- Where
- Northwood (CT12, CT10, CT11)
- Region
- Kent
- Price
- Quoted for your roof
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Can I check my roof myself?
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Signs you need electronic leak detection in Northwood
If a flat roof keeps leaking after patching, the hole may be elsewhere. ELD can locate the breach more precisely.
Problems we come across often include:
- Leaking laps in the waterproofing
- New membranes needing a check before handover
- Patched roofs that still leak
- Water coming in under a flat roof
If you look after a building such as Dame Janet Primary Academy, a large flat roof with plenty of outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Which limits apply to the survey
- What follow-up you get after the report
Roof by roof
Single-ply membranes
Some single-ply membranes suit electronic testing well but it depends on the product and layers.
Green and ballasted roofs
Parts of the covering may have to come up. We explain what’s needed when we quote.
How the survey works
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the loft space if there’s safe access. In total, it takes a length of time set by the size of the roof and how it’s built, which we set out in the quote. Being in a smaller place like Northwood does not change how the visit works: we look from the ground, from windows, from the loft and from the roof where it’s safe. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- We agree the area to be tested.
- The surface is prepared for the chosen method.
- Testing runs across the agreed area.
- Each breach found is located and recorded.
- The report is sent for your roofer to act on.
Before the survey
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
Arrange a survey
Every survey is priced before it’s booked, so you know the cost up front. We quote electronic leak detection for each roof, as the method and time depend on the roof. To book, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Related advice
Questions from Northwood
Do roofs near the sea, like those around Northwood, take more of a battering?
Places near the sea get more wind and more salt in the air than inland, and both are hard on roofs. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
Is Northwood within the area you cover?
Yes, Northwood is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
How do you choose the testing method?
We choose the method that suits the roof. We will explain why when we quote.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them, and recommend a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before they’re disturbed.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. Photos are part of every report, so you can see each point for yourself.
How experienced are you?
We have completed more than 5,000 surveys, across 20+ years of surveying roofs.
Can you test a green or ballasted roof?
On some roofs, yes. Covered roofs limit the methods we can use, so we check the build-up first.
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. On a bungalow or cottage around Northwood, the roof sits close to the rooms below, so a small leak can mark a ceiling within a few storms. Finding the cause first saves a second job inside.
Every price we give includes VAT. We quote electronic leak detection for each roof, as the method and time depend on the roof. You will know the price for your survey before you book.
What you get with us
- An independent view of the roof
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Read our cost guide and two real surveys.
Electronic leak detection in Northwood: local notes
Northwood is within about 2 miles of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Wind can catch loose edges and trims on a flat roof, and salt air is hard on metal trims, flashings and fixings. Older houses across Kent often have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Flat roofs fill the gaps in between, on extensions, garages, dormers and business premises.
Quex Park, about 3.6 miles west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Northwood. Older houses nearby frequently have flat roofs added much later, built to very different standards from the main roof. For landlords with property near Ramsgate station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Northwood is about 1 mile north-west of Ramsgate, in Kent. We survey roofs in Northwood and the rest of Kent, as part of our work across London and South East England. We cover towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury.
All of CT12, CT10 and CT11 is covered for electronic leak detection. That includes homes and businesses on Gwyn Road, Coxes Lane and Roman Road. You will find Northwood on the A254 and A256, which makes it simple to reach. Nearby, we also carry out electronic leak detection in Ramsgate (1 mile south-east), Upton (1 mile east), St Lawrence (1 mile south), St Peter's (1 mile north-east) and Broadstairs (1 mile north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (15 miles west), Dover (15 miles south), Deal (9 miles south), Herne Bay (12 miles west), Walmer (10 miles south) and Wincheap (15 miles west).
Landmarks near Northwood
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Derby Arms, The Charles Dickens School and The Royal Harbour Academy and the streets around them. The closest station to Northwood is Ramsgate station, roughly 0.8 miles south of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Westwood Cross (0.5 miles north-west) and Ramsgate Museum (1.4 miles south-east). Not far away are Sandwich and Pegwell Bay.
Nearby places to Northwood
More services for Northwood
What affects the price in Northwood
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- The size of the roof
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
For a price for your roof in Northwood, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and a few details. We’ll confirm the figure before booking.
What we need to know
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, tell us:
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Dates you’re working to, like exchange
- The address and postcode of the property
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email, let us know about the property and we’ll recommend the right survey. We confirm the price before anything is booked.