West Berkshire · London and the South East
Electronic Leak Detection in Sandleford
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes in Sandleford. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Water coming in under a flat roof
- New membranes needing a check before handover
- Leaks at pipes, outlets or fixings
What happens on the day
There isn’t much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will take it from there. The survey itself takes a length of time set by the roof’s area and construction, and we’ll give you a guide when quoting. Cottages and farmhouses around Sandleford frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- First, we confirm which roof areas are included.
- The surface is prepared for the chosen method.
- 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.
Getting ready for the survey
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Booking a survey
We confirm the exact price before you book, 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, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Advice
Electronic leak detection in Sandleford
Electronic testing locates holes in the waterproofing but not every way water gets in. Water coming through walls, copings, rooflights or plumbing won’t show on the test. If the evidence points elsewhere, we will say so. The test shows breaches in the membrane, not water coming through masonry or around frames. The report makes clear what was and wasn’t tested. You will also know what to check next. We survey flat roof membranes, commercial flat roofs and roof terraces and balconies, and people most frequently book us about gaps at membrane joints and waterproofing to test before it’s covered.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Sandleford take more wind and rain, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. Felt roofs, which often last around 15–20 years, typically show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. Exposed edges are normally the first part of a flat roof to go.
The report records the flat roof membrane as we found it on the day. It’s useful straight away, and a good reference for later, for example when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Location
- Sandleford (RG19, RG20, RG14)
- Wider area
- West Berkshire
- Price
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What you can safely check yourself
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Overflowing water can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
Tips from our surveys
Getting the most from electronic leak detection starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Tips:
- Find the breach before more patching
- Keep a note of leaks after rain
- Do not let outlets block
- Ask contractors to protect the membrane
After your roofer repairs the breaches, a retest can confirm them if the build-up allows.
Limit foot traffic on flat roofs. Feet and dropped tools are a common cause of holes.
Sandleford questions
Do you carry out roof surveys in Sandleford?
Yes, Sandleford is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Sandleford as anywhere else.
Do you cover smaller places like Sandleford?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you’ll need a RICS survey as well.
How many surveys have you done?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
Is the repair part of the test?
No. We test the membrane and report. The report shows where each breach is so your roofer can fix them.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes. Photos are part of every report, so you can see each point for yourself.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Our cover is professional indemnity plus public liability, and details are available on request.
When to book a survey in Sandleford
New membranes can have defects from installation. Testing before the roof is covered or handed over helps find them.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Water coming in under a flat roof
- Damage from equipment installers
- Leaks that return after repairs
- Holes around roof penetrations
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near St Gabriel's School, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof.
Before booking anyone
- What experience they bring
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Are they insured for the work?
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
Local flat roofs in Sandleford
Historic houses such as Shaw House, about 2.4 miles north, show how far back building in the area around Sandleford goes. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. Next to the main roofs there’s normally a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
Anyone responsible for a site like The Willows Primary School will know that schools and public buildings often have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks. If you own a rental within reach of Newbury station, a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak.
Sandleford is about 1 mile south of Newbury, in West Berkshire. We provide electronic leak detection for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Sandleford and nearby. Across West Berkshire, we cover Sandleford and the places around it. For surveys nearby, see our Reading page.
Postcode districts we cover here for electronic leak detection: RG19, RG20 and RG14. If you need electronic leak detection at a property on Priory Place, Laurel Gardens and Sandleford Lodge Park or a nearby road, we can survey it. Close by, we survey roofs in Greenham (1 mile north-east), Newtown Common (1 mile south-west), Wash Common (1 mile west), Burghclere Common (1 mile south) and Newbury (1 mile north). Within a short drive, we also cover Thatcham (3 miles north-east), Burghfield Common (11 miles east), Hungerford (9 miles west), Spencers Wood (15 miles east), Calcot (12 miles east) and Lambourn (13 miles north-west).
What’s near Sandleford
We work in homes and buildings around Sandleford Priory, St Bartholomew's School and Park House School, among other places. The nearest railway station is Newbury station, about 1.4 miles north of the centre. Nearby you will also find Donnington Castle (3 miles north) and Old Chapel Textile Centre (1.6 miles east). Open spaces near Sandleford include Beacon Hill and Audrey's Meadow.
Roof by roof
Single-ply membranes
Some single-ply membranes suit electronic testing well, depending on the type and build-up.
Bituminous membranes
ELD is frequently possible on bituminous membranes, depending on what’s below.
What electronic leak detection does not cover
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Keep these in mind:
- Moisture spread under the membrane
- Fixing the holes we find
- Leaks from plumbing or windows
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will point you to the right survey before you book. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Green roofs
- Commercial flat roofs
- Single-ply roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Flat roof membranes
- Roof terraces and balconies