West Berkshire · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Oare, West Berkshire
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes in Oare, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Call or email for a price.
- Waterproofing to test before it’s covered
- Leaking laps in the waterproofing
- Water coming in under a flat roof
About our electronic leak detection in Oare
Green roofs, ballasted roofs and roofs under paving are harder to test. The layers on top can limit the methods we can use, and some may need lifting. We’ll discuss it with you when we quote. Any details of the build-up help, as they show what lies beneath the surface. We will tell you if the roof cannot be tested. We survey flat roof membranes, commercial flat roofs and single-ply roofs, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are leaks under green or ballasted roofs and leaks that return after repairs.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Oare take more wind and rain, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Felt roofs, which frequently last around 15–20 years, usually 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: if work is needed, the report says so clearly.
- Where
- Oare (RG18)
- Region
- West Berkshire
- Price
- Quoted for your roof
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Do you need electronic leak detection in Oare?
Holes in a membrane often come from feet, tools or debris. Many are tiny, but still let water through.
Most people get in touch after spotting something like this:
- Repairs that haven’t stopped the leak
- Water coming in under a flat roof
- Holes around roof penetrations
- Breaches hidden under paving or planting
Anyone responsible for a site like Hermitage Primary School will know that large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
What to check before booking
- When you will get the report
- What the survey will not cover
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
Nearby places to Oare
What else we do in Oare
What we do, step by step
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will take it from there. The survey itself takes more time on a big roof than a small one, with the construction of the roof playing a part too. In a small place like Oare, access is normally the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We start with what you know about the roof and the leak.
- We check whether the membrane and build-up suit ELD.
- We choose a low-voltage or high-voltage method to match the roof.
- We test the roof and locate any breaches.
- You get a report with photos of each breach.
Preparing for the visit
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Booking a survey
Getting a price is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or email us and give us some details about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Read more
Different roofs, different checks
Single-ply membranes
Single-ply membranes are common on commercial and newer roofs. Laps and fixings are where holes often appear.
Bituminous membranes
Older felt roofs frequently have seams and patches where breaches occur. We test where the roof suits it.
What we cannot see
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Sections we cannot safely access
- Moisture spread under the membrane
- Build-ups without a suitable layer below
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will point you to the right survey. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Single-ply roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Green roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Commercial flat roofs
Questions from Oare
Will you come out to Oare?
Yes, Oare is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
How do I find out if my home in Oare is listed?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
What insurance do you have?
Every survey is covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and details are available on request.
What happens after the survey?
You’ll 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.
How fast do I get the report?
That depends on the survey you book: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. The report is emailed to you.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Light rain doesn’t typically stop a survey. High wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so if conditions aren’t right we will arrange another day with you.
Will you repair the leak?
No, the test finds the breaches and your roofer repairs them. Your roofer uses the report to target the repair.
Can I check my roof myself?
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. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and a fall can be serious. That’s where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
Practical tips
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Check new waterproofing before handover
- Clear flat roof outlets regularly
- Find the breach before more patching
- Let us know about the membrane and build-up if you know it
If we think the leak is not coming through the membrane, the report says so, so other causes can be checked.
Ask trades working on the roof to protect the membrane when fitting equipment. Check the roof after they’ve finished.
Flat and commercial roofs around Oare
Historic houses like Shaw House, about 4 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Oare goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Next to the main roofs there’s typically a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
Landlords with a home close to Newbury Racecourse station may find that a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak. If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Church of St Bartholomew, later flat-roofed additions are common on older houses, and their edges and upstands frequently show the first signs of wear.
Oare is about 4 miles north of Thatcham, in West Berkshire. Anywhere in Oare, we can come and survey your property. Across West Berkshire, we cover Oare and the places around it. Reading is in our area too.
Every address in RG18 is within our area for electronic leak detection, from the main roads to the quietest streets. You will find streets such as Manor Lane and Old Street, and we cover them all. We also cover the places around Oare: Little Hungerford (1 mile south-east), Hermitage (1 mile south), Wellhouse (1 mile south-east), Longlane (1 mile south) and Curridge (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns like Newbury (5 miles south-west), Thatcham (4 miles south), Burghfield Common (10 miles south-east), Speenhamland (5 miles south-west), Hungerford (11 miles west) and Spencers Wood (14 miles east).
What’s near Oare
We work in homes and buildings around The White Horse pub, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Newbury Racecourse station, about 4.7 miles south of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Hampstead Norris Castle (1.8 miles north-east) and West Berkshire Community Hospital (4 miles south). Not far away are Snelsmore Common.