Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Electronic Leak Detection in Patcham
We take a careful look at the flat roof membrane at your property in Patcham, with photos and a written report.
- Damp inside with no sign on the roof
- Holes around roof penetrations
- Holes left by work on the roof
Electronic leak detection in Patcham
Water can travel under a flat roof membrane before it shows inside. So the stain inside rarely sits under the hole. ELD tests the waterproofing directly, to find where it has been breached. It is testing only, and the repair is for your roofer. On a suitable roof, it takes the guesswork out of finding the hole. We then send you the results in a written report. If you are worried about new membranes needing a check before handover and punctures from foot traffic or tools, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Around Patcham, 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. If you want them looked at too, mention them when booking. Smaller roofs use the same coverings as bigger ones, from felt to rubber and GRP, and age in the same way.
It is not only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Location
- Patcham (BN1)
- Wider area
- Brighton and Hove
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips from our surveys
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:
- Consider ELD before paving or planting goes on
- Ask contractors to protect the membrane
- Find the breach before more patching
- Limit access to the roof
Keep the report with the roof’s records. It shows the condition of the membrane on that date.
Act on leaks quickly. The longer water gets in, the more insulation and decking can be affected.
Nearby places to Patcham
Also in Patcham
What this survey can’t tell you
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- Roofs whose membrane or build-up is not suitable
- Leaks from plumbing or windows
- How wet the insulation is
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll point you to the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Patcham
- Green roofs
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Flat roof membranes
- Single-ply roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Commercial flat roofs
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
Many flat roofs use bitumen-based membranes. The build-up decides which method will work.
Electronic leak detection around Patcham
The coast is about 3 miles or less from Patcham, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. On a flat roof near the sea, edge trims and upstands take the brunt of the wind, and metal parts corrode faster. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere.
Preston Manor & Gardens, about 1.5 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Patcham. Older homes nearby may have later flat-roofed extensions or dormers, often re-covered more than once. The streets around a church such as All Saints Church are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof. If you let a flat or house near Preston Park station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Patcham is about 2 miles north of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. We cover Patcham and the rest of Brighton and Hove, as part of our work across London and the South East. Across Brighton and Hove, we cover Patcham and the places around it.
Every address in BN1 is within our area for electronic leak detection. You will find streets such as London Road, Vale Avenue and Eldred Avenue. Neighbouring places we cover for electronic leak detection include Waterhall (1 mile north-west), Westdene (1 mile south-west), Hollingbury (1 mile east), Withdean (1 mile south) and Preston (1 mile south). Further out, we also cover Carlton Hill (3 miles south), Hanover (3 miles south), Brunswick (3 miles south), Kemptown (4 miles south-east), Whitehawk (3 miles south-east) and Aldrington (3 miles south-west).
Local landmarks in Patcham
Around Patcham, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Withdean Park, Patcham High School and The Dharma Primary School and the streets around them. Patcham’s nearest station is Preston Park station, roughly 1.3 miles south of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Clayton Castle (3.1 miles north) and Brighton Transport Museum (1.8 miles south). The countryside around Patcham includes Ditchling Beacon and Ladies Mile.
How the survey works
It is useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. The visit usually takes longer on a large roof than a small one, with the construction of the roof playing a part too. A visit to Patcham is planned like any other: the time, the access and where to park are agreed ahead of time. Weekday and weekend visits are both possible. If there are outbuildings or garages you want looked at, mention them.
- We agree the area to be tested.
- We get the roof ready for testing.
- We work across the roof with the test equipment.
- We mark the breach locations in our records.
- The report is sent for your roofer to act on.
How to prepare
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Getting a price
If you are buying, it is useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so there is time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.
Advice
Landlord and commercial surveys in Patcham
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Bigger roofs take more time.
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, and the report can go to both. Access is agreed with the tenant ahead of time.
Questions from Patcham
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Patcham?
Places near the sea get more wind and more salt in the air than inland, and both are hard on roofs. Salt is hard on nails, clips and metal flashings, while strong wind lifts anything already loose.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Patcham?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day, which suits people who work during the week. Let us know your preferred days as you book.
How long will testing take?
It depends on the size of the roof and its build-up. You’ll know roughly how long before we start.
Does ELD include fixing the breach?
No. We test the membrane and report. You get the breach locations with photos so your roofer can fix them.
How do I book a survey in Patcham?
The quickest way is to call 07833 053749 or send us an email. Tell us the address and a little about the roof. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it is applicable. Whether we can fly on the day depends on the weather and the airspace rules. We are a CAA-registered drone operator.
Prices for electronic leak detection in Patcham
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Height and safe access
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
To find out what your survey will cost, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Getting in touch
To price your survey accurately, we will ask about:
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- The property’s address and postcode
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from the ground or a window. To send them or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.