Essex · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Old Heath, Essex
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes in Old Heath, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Get in touch for a price.
- Leaks at pipes, outlets or fixings
- Gaps at membrane joints
- Leaks under green or ballasted roofs
About our electronic leak detection in Old Heath
Our ELD report shows where each breach was found with photos. It tells your roofer exactly where to repair rather than guessing. We do not 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. Results come in a written report with photos. If you’re worried about leaks through a covered membrane and leaks that return after repairs, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Flat roofs in smaller places like Old Heath can be more exposed, particularly where nothing shelters them, so wind catches loose edges and trims. Sun on a flat roof also ages felt and bitumen. The signs are splits, blisters and edges coming away, along with water that sits after rain. A flat roof that still holds water days after rain is also worth a closer look.
Where we can’t see part of the flat roof membrane, the report says so. You’ll know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Where
- Old Heath (CO2, CO1, CO4)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Cost
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we’re asked to look at in Old Heath
Roofs covered with paving, ballast or planting hide the membrane. ELD can work on some covered roofs though it depends on the layers.
Look out for signs like these:
- Leaking laps in the waterproofing
- A flat roof leak that cannot be traced
- Leaks showing away from the breach
- Damage from equipment installers
For businesses in and around places such as Lion Walk, flat roofs over shops and units are easy to forget until water comes through a ceiling.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Whether VAT is added on top
When you need someone else
Before booking, it’s worth knowing what a survey won’t do:
- Fixing the holes we find
- Some conductive membranes
- Parts of the roof covered by fixed equipment
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before booking. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Old Heath
- Single-ply roofs
- Green roofs
- Commercial flat roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Roof terraces and balconies
What we look for on each type of roof
EPDM rubber roofs
ELD on EPDM depends on the product and the layers. We check before we quote.
Liquid-applied waterproofing
Testing a liquid-applied roof depends on what’s beneath the coating.
What we do, step by step
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available. A typical visit takes a time that depends on the size of the roof and how it’s built, which we set out in the quote. In a smaller place like Old Heath, as anywhere, the forecast plays a part: drone flights and thermal imaging need the right conditions, while a look from ground level and the loft can go ahead in most weather.
- We agree the area to be tested.
- We get the roof ready for testing.
- We work across the roof with the test equipment.
- Each breach found is located and recorded.
- The report is sent for your roofer to act on.
Getting ready for the survey
- Tell us about parking before the day
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
Booking a survey
We confirm the price for the job before booking, so you know the cost up front. We quote electronic leak detection for each roof, as the method and time depend on the roof. For a price for your roof, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Read more
Tips from our surveys
There’s plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Have roof specifications to hand
- Limit access to the roof
- Don’t leave water getting in
- Clear flat roof outlets regularly
You receive a report showing where each breach was found, with photos. Pass it to your roofer to repair the breach points.
ELD before paving, ballast or planting goes on is worth considering. Finding breaches is simpler at that stage.
Towns and villages near Old Heath
More services for Old Heath
Leave it or get it looked at?
Patching where you think the leak is often misses it. Testing shows where the membrane is actually breached. Around Old Heath, leaves and moss in gutters lead to overflowing water and damp walls, particularly where trees overhang. It’s easy to sort the cause early and slow to dry a damp wall.
For a price for your roof in Old Heath, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and a few details. We will confirm the figure before booking.
Why us?
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Visits on any day of the week
See our cost guide and two real surveys.
Local flat roofs in Old Heath
Old Heath is within about 4 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. Weatherboarded walls and clay tile roofs are typical of older Essex buildings, while many towns grew with post-war and newer estates. Flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages and business units are found alongside them almost everywhere.
If you live in an older home near St Barnabas, any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof. If you own a rental within reach of Hythe station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Old Heath is about 1 mile south of Greenstead, in Essex. Wherever you are in Old Heath, we can carry out electronic leak detection at your property. We cover towns and villages across Essex. There is also a page for Chelmsford.
Surveys in CO2, CO1 and CO4 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Local streets include Wick Road, Haven Road and D'arcy Road, all of which we cover. Other places close to Old Heath include The Hythe (1 mile north), Berechurch (1 mile south-west), Rowhedge (1 mile south-east), Greenstead (1 mile north) and Wivenhoe Cross (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Clacton-on-Sea (11 miles south-east), Maldon (14 miles south-west), Witham (13 miles west), Harwich (15 miles east), Halstead (13 miles west) and Heybridge (13 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in Old Heath
In Old Heath, that means homes and buildings near The Bell pub, Thomas Lord Audley School and Language College and Donyland Lodge and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Hythe station, roughly 1 mile north. Other landmarks nearby include Essex County Hospital (1.9 miles north-west) and Grandad's Photography Museum (1.5 miles north-west). Open spaces near Old Heath include Cockaynes Wood.
Your questions about electronic leak detection in Old Heath
Is the coastal weather around Old Heath hard on roofs?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
How do I find out if my home in Old Heath is listed?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Does ELD work under paving or planting?
It can be possible, depending on the roof. What sits on the membrane affects the method so we look at the roof first.
Will you repair the leak?
No. ELD is testing only. You get the breach locations with photos for your roofer to repair.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
What happens next?
The report comes by email, and what you do next is up to you: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
What’s the price of ELD?
Each roof is quoted on its size and build-up. Send us details of the roof, and call 07833 053749 or use the contact form for a quote.