West Sussex · London and the South East
Somerley Electronic Leak Detection
Wondering about the flat roof membrane at a property in Somerley? We carry out electronic leak detection in Somerley and across West Sussex, with plain-English findings.
- Holes around roof penetrations
- Leaking laps in the waterproofing
- Leaks through a flat roof with no obvious cause
Somerley: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in Somerley is listed?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Somerley?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there is more wind, and more salt in the air. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch, and Somerley is within about 2 miles of the coast.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We are roof surveyors, not structural engineers, and it doesn’t include calculations. We’ll recommend an engineer if we see signs that call for one.
How long will testing take?
It normally takes a length of time set by the size of the roof and how it’s built, which we’ll explain when we quote.
What insurance do you have?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Just tell us the days that suit you.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. Roofs over flats are frequently shared, so we need permission from whoever owns or manages the building. We can only inspect what we are given access to.
Electronic leak detection in Somerley
Electronic leak detection, or ELD, finds holes in flat roof waterproofing membranes. It works with an electrical current that passes through the membrane only where there is a breach. It can find holes too small to spot by eye so your roofer knows exactly where to repair. You get a photo-illustrated written report of each breach found. Common reasons to book are new roofs to check before paving or planting and stains far from any visible defect, on green roofs, flat roof membranes and liquid-applied waterproofing.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Somerley take more wind and rain, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. Older felt roofs, often around 15–20 years in life, show it first. EPDM rubber and GRP coverings last longer, but their edges and joints still need checking. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
The report does not just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Location
- Somerley (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Electronic leak detection around Somerley
Somerley lies within about 2 miles of the sea, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Wind can catch loose edges and trims on a flat roof, and salt air is hard on metal trims, flashings and fixings. What can be done to an older roof may depend on listing or a conservation area. Your council and Historic England’s list will tell you where you stand.
If you look after a building such as Birdham CE Primary School, 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 Fishbourne station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Somerley is about 4 miles north-west of Selsey, in West Sussex. Surveys in Somerley work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. There is also a page for Portsmouth.
Postcode districts we cover here for electronic leak detection: PO20. We cover properties on Bell Lane and Hundredsteddle Lane and the roads around them. Nearby, we also carry out electronic leak detection in Almodington (1 mile south-east), Birdham (1 mile north-east), Shipton Green (1 mile north-west), Earnley (1 mile south) and East Wittering (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Bognor Regis (7 miles east), Chichester (5 miles north-east), Selsey (4 miles south-east), Littlehampton (14 miles east), Emsworth (6 miles north-west) and Rustington (15 miles east).
Landmarks near Somerley
In Somerley, that means homes and buildings near The Birdham Public House, among other places. Somerley’s nearest station is Fishbourne station, about 4 miles north of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Chichester Castle (4.9 miles north-east) and St Richard's Hospital (5.2 miles north-east). Open spaces near Somerley include Pilsey Island.
Also near Somerley
What else we do in Somerley
How the survey works
A survey visit follows a simple order: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, photograph what we find and make notes for the report. Most visits take as long as needed for the roof’s area and construction, and we’ll give you a guide when quoting. Older rural homes like those around Somerley can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- First, we confirm which roof areas are included.
- 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
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
Book a survey
Booking is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and give us a few details about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Related advice
Why get it checked now?
Some breaches are too small to see. Electronic testing can find breaches you cannot see by eye where the roof suits it. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how safely it can be seen. We quote electronic leak detection for each roof, as the method and time depend on the roof.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Somerley
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Photographs and a written report every time
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
Read what a roof survey costs or two real surveys.
Prices for electronic leak detection in Somerley
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. These are the things that affect it:
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Height and safe access
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before you book.
Booking your survey
When you call or email, these details help:
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- The address and postcode of the property
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. For a price or to book, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Roof by roof
Bituminous membranes
ELD is often possible on bituminous membranes though the layers below matter.
Single-ply membranes
Many offices and units have single-ply roofs. Seams and penetrations are typical breach points.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date.
When to book a survey in Somerley
If a flat roof keeps leaking after patching, the hole may be elsewhere. Electronic testing helps pinpoint it.
People usually book a survey when they’ve noticed one of these:
- Patched roofs that still leak
- Leaks showing away from the breach
- Holes left by work on the roof
- New membranes needing a check before handover
If you live in an older home near St James' Church, later flat-roofed additions are common on older houses, and their edges and upstands often show the first signs of wear.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- How long the report takes to arrive
- What experience they bring
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Are they insured for the work?