West Sussex · London and the South East
Sharpthorne Electronic Leak Detection
Electronic leak detection in Sharpthorne, with over 20 years’ experience behind it. You get a clear report with photos.
- Leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause
- Holes around roof penetrations
- Holes left by work on the roof
Electronic leak detection in Sharpthorne: what you get
Electronic testing locates holes in the waterproofing but not every way water gets in. Water coming through walls, copings, rooflights or plumbing will not show on the test. We’ll tell you if we think the leak is coming from somewhere else. It will not show water getting in through brickwork or around frames. The report makes clear what was and wasn’t tested. We will point you to the likely next step. We survey single-ply roofs, liquid-applied waterproofing and flat roof membranes, and people most frequently book us about leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause and leaks that return after repairs.
Older buildings in small places like Sharpthorne may be listed or in a conservation area, and that can affect how an extension roof or dormer is re-covered. If you are planning work, check with the council first. Knowing the roof’s condition is the starting point. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
If any part of the flat roof membrane couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Where
- Sharpthorne (RH19)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Cost
- Quoted for your roof
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Flat roofs in Sharpthorne
About 0.5 miles west lies Priest House, a reminder of how long the area around Sharpthorne has been built on. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Older houses across Sussex often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Next to the main roofs there’s usually a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
If you live in an older home near St Margaret's Church, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking. Landlords with a home close to East Grinstead station may find that the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. If you look after a building such as West Hoathly CofE Primary School, large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
Sharpthorne is about 4 miles south of East Grinstead, in West Sussex. We visit Sharpthorne as part of our work across West Sussex, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Across West Sussex, we cover Sharpthorne. Our Crawley page covers surveys nearby.
Electronic leak detection in RH19 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. You’ll find streets such as Station Road, Marlpit Road and Bayhams Field. If you are just outside Sharpthorne, we cover West Hoathly (1 mile west), Highbrook (2 miles south), Selsfield Common (2 miles north-west), Little London (2 miles south-west) and Birchgrove (3 miles south-east). We also work in nearby towns such as Crawley (7 miles west), Horsham (12 miles west), Haywards Heath (6 miles south-west), Burgess Hill (9 miles south-west), East Grinstead (4 miles north) and Broadfield (7 miles west).
Around Sharpthorne
Around Sharpthorne, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Fox pub. For rail, the closest station is East Grinstead station, roughly 3.6 miles north of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Waterbury Castle (2.6 miles south) and East Grinstead Museum (3.7 miles north-east). Not far away are Hedgecourt Lake.
Useful tips for Sharpthorne property owners
Most of what helps is simple and safe from the ground. A few suggestions:
- Record dates and spots where water appears
- Ask contractors to protect the membrane
- Clear flat roof outlets regularly
- Check new waterproofing before handover
The report records each breach location with photos. Pass it to your roofer to repair the breach points.
Keep people off the flat roof unless they need to be there. Feet and dropped tools are a common cause of holes.
Can I check my roof myself?
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date.
Roof by roof
Single-ply membranes
Punctures from foot traffic and equipment are common on single-ply roofs. ELD can locate them.
Bituminous membranes
Bituminous roofs often have laps and old repairs where breaches occur. Testing depends on the roof.
What we do, step by step
Once we have finished looking, we write up our findings as a photo-illustrated written report. On timing, most surveys take as long as needed for the membrane area and the build-up, which we set out in the quote. In a small place like Sharpthorne, access is typically the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We start by finding out what the roof is made of and where it leaks.
- We confirm whether the roof is suitable for electronic testing.
- We pick the low-voltage or high-voltage method that suits the roof.
- Testing runs across the roof to locate breaches in the membrane.
- The breaches are recorded with photographs in a report for your roofer.
Getting ready for the survey
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
Getting a price
You can call us seven days a week. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Related advice
What we cannot see
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Repairing the breaches (that’s for your roofer)
- Parts of the roof covered by fixed equipment
- Leaks from walls, copings or rooflights
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll suggest the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Green roofs
- Single-ply roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Commercial flat roofs
- Roof terraces and balconies
FAQs for Sharpthorne
Is Sharpthorne within the area you cover?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
How do I find out if my home in Sharpthorne is listed?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it is in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
How long does electronic leak detection take?
It typically takes a time that depends on the membrane area and the build-up, which we’ll explain when we quote.
Is my roof suitable for ELD?
ELD doesn’t suit every roof. Some membranes conduct electricity and some roofs lack the layer the test needs. If your roof will not work, we will say so at the start.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain is usually fine; heavy rain and wind are different. High wind or heavy rain can make access unsafe and ground a drone, so we’d move the date with you.
Do you look in the loft space?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there’s safe access. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
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.
Nearby places to Sharpthorne
Other services in Sharpthorne
Surveys for landlords and agents in Sharpthorne
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.