Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Shiplake, Oxfordshire
We carry out electronic leak detection in Shiplake and the rest of Oxfordshire. We survey on any day of the week.
- Breaches around outlets and penetrations
- Gaps at membrane joints
- Waterproofing to test before it’s covered
Can I check my roof myself?
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when you book 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.
About our electronic leak detection in Shiplake
There are different ELD methods. Low-voltage methods typically need a wet roof surface, while high-voltage testing needs a dry, exposed membrane. Which one suits depends on the membrane and the layers of the roof and we explain which we will use. If neither method suits your roof, we’ll tell you at the outset. We’re frequently asked to look into holes left by work on the roof and breaches around outlets and penetrations, on flat roof membranes, liquid-applied waterproofing and single-ply roofs.
In a village or hamlet like Shiplake, flat roofs are usually on extensions, garages, outbuildings or barn conversions. The checks are the same as anywhere: outlets, upstands, edges and the covering itself. The journey and access are planned beforehand. If there are outbuildings or garages with flat roofs, mention them as you book.
The report records the flat roof membrane as we found it on the day. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later, for example when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Where
- Shiplake (RG9)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Nearby places to Shiplake
Other services in Shiplake
Common roof problems in Shiplake
Other trades on the roof can puncture the waterproofing. Engineers fitting equipment, solar panels or aerials may leave damage behind.
We are often asked to look at:
- Holes around roof penetrations
- Leaks under green or ballasted roofs
- Holes left by work on the roof
- Stains far from any visible defect
For landlords with property near Wargrave station, a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak.
Before you book anyone
- What insurance they carry
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- What they will not be able to tell you
- What happens after the report arrives
How it works
When we arrive, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you need to know. After that, we look at everything we can see safely, from the ground, from windows, in the roof space and by drone where applicable. The survey normally takes more time on a big roof than a small one, and the build-up of the roof makes a difference too. Older roofs in small places like Shiplake can have low, tight loft spaces, so it’s useful to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We start with what you know about the roof and the leak.
- The roof is assessed for suitability first.
- We choose a low-voltage or high-voltage method to match the roof.
- The membrane is tested and breaches are found.
- A report with photos shows where each breach is.
Preparing for the visit
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Let us know about parking before the day
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
Getting a price
For a price for electronic leak detection in Shiplake, ring 07833 053749 or email us. The address, the type of property and what you need to know help us price the survey accurately.
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Before and after the survey
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Note where leaks show inside and when
- Avoid repeated repairs without finding the cause
- Don’t leave water getting in
- Ask contractors to protect the membrane
Once repairs are made, the roof can be tested again if you want to check them, where the roof still suits the method.
Check contractors protect the waterproofing when they work up there. Have the roof looked at after other work.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Shiplake
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work around your tenants.
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, putting the urgent items at the top.
Different roofs, different checks
Green and ballasted roofs
Some layers may need lifting for testing. We discuss this before quoting.
Liquid-applied waterproofing
Liquid waterproofing has no laps but holes and thin areas can occur. Suitability for ELD depends on the system.
Electronic leak detection in Shiplake: local notes
West Oxfordshire’s older buildings frequently carry Cotswold stone slates, and a few villages in the county keep their thatch. Older houses in the South East frequently have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are lots of flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops. Historic houses such as Greys Court, about 4.1 miles north-west, show how far back building in the area around Shiplake goes. 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.
If you look after a building such as Shiplake Church of England School, ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season. The streets around a church such as Church of St Peter and St Paul are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems typically start.
Shiplake is about 3 miles north of Woodley, in Oxfordshire. Shiplake is one of many places we visit across Oxfordshire, for homes and businesses alike. Our area takes in places right across Oxfordshire.
All of RG9 is within our area for electronic leak detection, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We also cover Charvil (2 miles south), Twyford (2 miles south-east), Ruscombe (2 miles south-east), Hare Hatch (2 miles east) and The Holt (3 miles east). We also work in nearby towns like Benson (12 miles north-west), Chinnor (14 miles north), Tilehurst (7 miles south-west), Wallingford (12 miles north-west), Little Heath (7 miles west) and Oakley (14 miles north).
What’s near Shiplake
We work in homes and buildings around The Plough pub, Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School and Loddon Nature Reserve. The nearest railway station is Wargrave station, roughly 0.9 miles east. Nearby you will also find Royal Berkshire Hospital (4.2 miles south-west) and Frazer Nash Archives (2.1 miles north). The countryside around Shiplake includes South Lake and Sonning Hill.
Shiplake questions
Do you carry out roof surveys in Shiplake?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Shiplake as anywhere else.
Will you come out to Shiplake?
Yes, we do. Our area covers London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it’s useful to know about access.
How much time does ELD need?
The roof’s size and build-up decide how long it takes. You will know roughly how long before we start.
How quickly is the report sent?
It depends on the package: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day. Reports are sent by email.
Does someone need to be in?
Not necessarily. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
How does ELD work?
The waterproofing membrane normally stops an electrical current, so wherever there is a hole, it passes through. That lets us find breaches that are too small to see.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance.