West Sussex · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Portfield, West Sussex
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes for Portfield, from an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Damage from equipment installers
- Breaches hidden under paving or planting
- Leaks at pipes, outlets or fixings
How electronic leak detection works in Portfield
Our ELD testing covers flat roofs in Portfield and the rest of London and South East England. A visit typically takes longer on a large roof than a small one, with the construction of the roof playing a part too. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof. The results come in a written report with photos. If you’re worried about leaking laps in the waterproofing and leaks that return after repairs, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on commercial flat roofs, flat roof membranes and single-ply roofs alike.
In a smaller place like Portfield, some flat roofs sit in the open, where wind can catch loose edges and trims. Felt and bitumen also age in strong sun. Splits, blisters and lifting edges are what to look out for, along with water that sits after rain. A flat roof that still holds water days after rain is also worth a closer look.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, sent by email. It explains the condition of the flat roof membrane, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Place
- Portfield (PO19, PO20, PO18)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What electronic leak detection does not cover
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Moisture spread under the membrane
- Leaks from plumbing or windows
- Fixing the holes we find
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll recommend the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
What we check
- Flat roof membranes
- Roof terraces and balconies
- Single-ply roofs
- Green roofs
- Commercial flat roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
What electronic leak detection looks like in Portfield
Portfield is within about 5 miles of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Salt in the air is hard on metal flashings and fixings, and wind catches any loose edge on a flat roof. Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere.
Goodwood House, about 2.5 miles north, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Portfield. Older houses nearby often have flat roofs added much later, built to very different standards from the main roof. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Portfield Primary Academy, a large flat roof with plenty of outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail. If you let a flat or house near Chichester station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Portfield is about 1 mile east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Portfield is part of the area we cover and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and the South East. Our West Sussex coverage includes Portfield. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
We work across the PO19, PO20 and PO18 postcode area for electronic leak detection and the streets around it. Whether your property is on Kent Road, York Road and Spur Road or anywhere close by, we can help. Portfield sits on or near the A259 and A285. Other places close to Portfield include Chichester (1 mile west), Westhampnett (1 mile north-east), Shopwyke (1 mile east), Maudlin (1 mile north-east) and North Mundham (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (5 miles south-east), Selsey (7 miles south), Littlehampton (10 miles east), Emsworth (8 miles west), Rustington (11 miles east) and Storrington (15 miles north-east).
Around Portfield
In Portfield, that means homes and buildings near The Prebendal School, The East Gate Public House and Chichester High School For Girls, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Chichester station, about 0.9 miles west of the centre. A little further out are The Chichester City Museum (0.6 miles west) and Chichester Castle (0.6 miles west). For a walk, there’s Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve and Stoke Down.
What happens on the day
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, inspect the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photos as we go and make notes for the report. Most visits take longer on a large roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too. A visit to a smaller place like Portfield is no different on the day: we look from the ground, from windows, from the loft and from the roof where it is safe. It’s useful to show us anything you’ve already noticed.
- We agree the area to be tested.
- We get the roof ready for testing.
- Testing runs across the agreed area.
- We mark the breach locations in our records.
- You receive the results to pass to your roofer.
Preparing for the visit
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
Arrange a survey
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or send us an email. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Related advice
Towns and villages near Portfield
Other services in Portfield
DIY checks: what’s safe
It’s useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry and it will help the survey.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we check the roof.
Common questions in Portfield
Will you come out to Portfield?
Yes, Portfield 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 helps to know about access.
Is my home in Portfield listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes. A shared roof needs access agreed first, with the freeholder or managing agent. Tell us about it as you book and we will explain what’s needed.
How much time does ELD need?
It normally takes a time that depends on the membrane area and the build-up, and we’ll give you a guide when quoting.
Does someone need to be in?
That depends on the survey. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access.
What happens next?
We email you the written report with photos and recommendations. It’s yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
How do you choose the testing method?
We choose the method that suits the roof. You will know which method we plan to use before we start.
How the survey changes by roof type
Single-ply membranes
Single-ply can be punctured by tools or fixings. Testing helps find them.
EPDM rubber roofs
Whether an EPDM roof can be tested depends on the membrane and build-up. We check before we quote.
For landlords and managing agents
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Let us know about it when you book and we will plan the visit with that in mind.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Bigger roofs take more time.
Practical tips
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Get leaks traced quickly
- Let us know about the membrane and build-up if you know it
- Check new waterproofing before handover
- Stay off the flat roof unless needed
Where the evidence points to walls, copings or rooflights, we’ll note it, with a suggestion of what to check next.
Don’t leave a flat roof leak running. The longer water gets in, the more insulation and decking can be affected.