Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Princelett, Isle of Wight
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes for Princelett, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photos.
- Damp inside with no sign on the roof
- Punctures from foot traffic or tools
- Leaks under green or ballasted roofs
About our electronic leak detection in Princelett
Some flat roofs can’t be tested electronically. Certain membranes conduct electricity and some roofs do not have a suitable layer beneath the membrane. We’ll say if ELD will not work on your roof at the start. Telling us what you know about the roof’s membrane and layers helps, such as drawings or specifications. It avoids arranging a test that can’t give results. If you’ve noticed holes around roof penetrations and punctures from foot traffic or tools, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Somewhere as small as Princelett, flat roofs tend to be on extensions, garages and converted outbuildings. The checks are the same as anywhere: the covering, the edges, the upstands and where water drains away. The journey and access are planned beforehand. If there are outbuildings or garages with flat roofs, mention them when booking.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, emailed to you. It explains the condition of the flat roof membrane, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Place
- Princelett (PO36)
- Wider area
- Isle of Wight
- Cost
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Princelett: your questions answered
Is my home in Princelett listed or in a conservation area?
We cannot 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.
Is the coastal weather around Princelett hard on roofs?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it usually shows, and Princelett is within about 2 miles of the coast.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It is a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
Will you repair the leak?
No, our part is finding the breaches. The report gives your roofer the locations.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. Photos are part of every report, so you can see each point for yourself.
Do I need to be at home?
Not necessarily. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing are not part of what we do. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, like cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them.
Places near Princelett
More services for Princelett
How it works
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit normally takes longer on a large roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too. Somewhere as small as Princelett, access is frequently the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- We start by finding out what the roof is made of and where it leaks.
- The roof is assessed to see if electronic testing will work on it.
- The method depends on the membrane and what sits above and below it.
- We test the membrane and find where current is passing through it.
- We send a report with photos of each breach so your roofer can repair it.
Before we arrive
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Find any records of previous roof work
Arrange a survey
We survey roofs on weekdays and at weekends. To arrange a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Related advice
Signs you need electronic leak detection in Princelett
When the membrane is buried, holes cannot be seen at all. ELD can work on some covered roofs, depending on the build-up.
It’s worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause
- Damage from equipment installers
- Failed seams and laps
- Breaches hidden under paving or planting
For landlords with property near Shanklin station, a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- What experience they bring
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- What insurance they carry
Flat roofs in Princelett
Princelett lies within about 2 miles of the sea, so there’s more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Coastal wind works at the edges of flat roofs, and salt air wears metal trims and fixings. About 1.8 miles north-west lies Haseley Manor, a reminder of how long the area around Princelett has been built on. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Take a building like Sandown Bay Academy: ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.
Princelett is about 5 miles south-east of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. We cover Princelett and the rest of the Isle of Wight, as part of our work across London and South East England. Princelett is one of the places in the Isle of Wight we cover for electronic leak detection. Our Portsmouth page covers surveys nearby.
All of PO36 is covered for electronic leak detection, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you’re just outside Princelett, we cover Apse Heath (1 mile north-east), Branstone (1 mile north), Winford (1 mile north-east), Whiteley Bank (1 mile south-west) and Hale Common (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Newport (5 miles north-west), Ryde (6 miles north), Cowes (9 miles north-west), Ventnor (3 miles south), East Cowes (8 miles north-west) and Oakfield (6 miles north-east). Harder-to-reach addresses take a little more planning, so please mention your location when you call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Landmarks near Princelett
Princelett’s nearest station is Shanklin station, about 1.4 miles south-east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Wight Aviation Museum (1.3 miles north-east) and Arthur Webster Memorial Hospital for Children (1.4 miles south-east). For a walk, there’s Alverstone Mead and Stenbury Down.
Useful tips for Princelett property owners
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Test new membranes before covering them
- Use boards when working on the roof
- Record dates and spots where water appears
- Find the breach before more patching
If water has been getting in, insulation under the membrane may be wet. Your roofer can advise on that, and moisture readings can help.
Keep outlets and gutters on flat roofs clear. Water that sits on the roof finds breaches faster.
Can I check my roof myself?
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.
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey.
Different roofs, different checks
Inverted and paved roofs
On inverted roofs, insulation sits above the membrane, which affects testing.
EPDM rubber roofs
Some EPDM membranes conduct electricity which can limit electronic testing. We’ll say if the test won’t work.
Why act early in Princelett
Opening up a roof to hunt for a leak is disruptive. ELD aims to locate the breach first so your roofer knows where to work. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before booking.
Why book us in Princelett
- Surveys seven days a week
- A photo-illustrated written report
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help