Portsmouth · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Southsea, Portsmouth
Need electronic leak detection in Southsea? We can help, with findings in writing and pictures to back them up. Weekday and weekend visits available.
- Water coming in under a flat roof
- Gaps at membrane joints
- Breaches around outlets and penetrations
Landlords, agents and block managers in Southsea
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the freeholder or managing agent. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.
Electronic leak detection in Southsea
ELD can be carried out in more than one way. Low-voltage testing is usually done with the surface wet, 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. We will say if your roof doesn’t suit either method before any testing starts. Common reasons to book are leaking laps in the waterproofing and breaches hidden under paving or planting, across single-ply roofs, flat roof membranes and green roofs.
Around Southsea, many garages, porches and extensions have flat roofs of their own. Some older garages have cement sheet roofs, which on buildings from before 2000 may contain asbestos, which a specialist asbestos surveyor should check before anyone disturbs them. Felt, rubber and fibreglass coverings each need a different approach. Asbestos testing isn’t part of what we do, though a report may flag materials that could contain it.
Findings are set out part by part, from the coverings down to the gutters, each with a short note and a photograph. You’ll see the good as well as the bad.
- Location
- Southsea (PO5, PO4, PO1)
- Region
- Portsmouth
- Price
- Quoted for your roof
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Places near Southsea
Other services in Southsea
Checking the roof from ground level
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.
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry and it will help the survey.
Different roofs, different checks
Liquid-applied waterproofing
Testing a liquid-applied roof depends on what’s beneath the coating.
Bituminous membranes
Bituminous roofs often have laps and old repairs that can leak. We test where the roof suits it.
How the survey works
We look at the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the loft space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. All in, the survey normally takes more time on a big roof than a small one, with the construction of the roof playing a part too. For a visit in Southsea, we need access to the loft, any rooms with leaks or stains, and the outside of the building. Mention gates, side passages and anything at the back. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First, we confirm which roof areas are included.
- We get the roof ready for testing.
- 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.
Before we arrive
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Arrange a survey
We confirm the price for the job before booking, so you know where you stand. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof. For a price for your roof, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Read more
What electronic leak detection does not cover
In fairness, there are limits to any roof survey:
- Moisture spread under the membrane
- Roofs whose membrane or build-up is not suitable
- Areas we can’t reach or that can’t be tested
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
What this survey covers
- Green roofs
- Commercial flat roofs
- Single-ply roofs
- Flat roof membranes
- Liquid-applied waterproofing
- Roof terraces and balconies
Southsea: your questions answered
Is the coastal weather around Southsea hard on roofs?
Near the coast, roofs face more wind and more salt than further inland. Salt corrodes metal fixings and flashings, and wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces.
How do I find out if my home in Southsea is listed?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Can you test a green or ballasted roof?
On some roofs, yes. Covered roofs limit the methods we can use so we look at the roof first.
When does the report arrive?
That depends on the survey you book: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day. Reports are sent by email.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day, which suits people who work during the week. Just say which days work for you.
What do I do with the report?
You receive the written report by email, with photos and recommendations. It is yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes, plenty. Pictures sit next to the findings they show, which makes the report easy to follow.
Before and after the survey
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Keep a note of leaks after rain
- Check new waterproofing before handover
- Keep outlets clear of debris
- Get leaks traced quickly
If we think the leak isn’t coming through the membrane, the report says so, with a suggestion of what to check next.
Keep outlets and gutters on flat roofs clear. Standing water puts more pressure on any weak point.
Electronic leak detection in Southsea: local notes
Southsea is within about 1 mile of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Coastal wind works at the edges of flat roofs, and salt air wears metal trims 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, ideally before any re-roofing is planned.
For hotels and guest houses around Southsea, a roof problem found early is far less disruptive than one found by a guest, so it’s worth knowing the roof’s condition. Take an older house close to St Margaret of Scotland: the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof. For landlords with property near Fratton station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Southsea is about 2 miles south of Portsmouth, in Portsmouth. We carry out electronic leak detection in Southsea for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings, with a written report and photographs every time. Southsea is one of the places in Portsmouth where we work for electronic leak detection.
All of PO5, PO4 and PO1 is covered for electronic leak detection, from the main roads to the quietest streets. That includes homes and businesses on Bath Road, Liss Road and Beach Road. Nearby, we also carry out electronic leak detection in Milton (1 mile north-east), Fratton (1 mile north), Kingston (1 mile north), Landport (1 mile north-west) and Baffins (2 miles north). Further out, we also cover Hilsea (3 miles north), Wymering (4 miles north), Paulsgrove (5 miles north), Cosham (4 miles north), Drayton (4 miles north) and Farlington (5 miles north).
Local landmarks in Southsea
In Southsea, that means homes and buildings near The Festing pub, St Edmund's Catholic School and Mayville High School, among other places. Southsea’s nearest station is Fratton station, roughly 0.8 miles north of the centre. Well-known places in the area include St. Mary's Hospital (1 mile north) and Southsea Castle (1 mile south-west). The countryside around Southsea includes Milton Locks.