Brighton and Hove · London and the South East
Electronic leak detection in Whitehawk, Brighton and Hove
Electronic leak detection to pinpoint holes in flat roof membranes in Whitehawk, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.
- Holes left by work on the roof
- Breaches hidden under paving or planting
- Leaking laps in the waterproofing
How electronic leak detection works in Whitehawk
Green roofs, ballasted roofs and roofs under paving are harder to test. What sits on the membrane can affect which method will work, and some may need lifting. We talk this through before we quote. Any details of the build-up help because they show what’s under the surface. If testing isn’t possible, we’ll say so. Typical surveys look at leaks under green or ballasted roofs and punctures from foot traffic or tools, on liquid-applied waterproofing, green roofs and commercial flat roofs.
Around a smaller place like Whitehawk, flat roofs normally cover extensions, garages and dormers. Even a small flat roof can let a good many water into the room below. Knowing the covering and how it was laid tells you what to expect from it, from felt and asphalt to EPDM rubber and GRP. From an upstairs window, look for standing water, splits and edges coming away.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- Whitehawk (BN2)
- Wider area
- Brighton and Hove
- Cost
- Quoted for your roof
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Local flat roofs in Whitehawk
Whitehawk is within about 1 mile of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. On a flat roof near the sea, edge trims and upstands take the brunt of the wind, and metal parts corrode faster. There are several hotels within about a mile and a half of Whitehawk, and hotels, like offices and blocks of flats, often have flat roofs. For hotels and other commercial buildings, finding the cause of a flat roof leak quickly keeps rooms in use.
Landlords with a home close to Brighton station may find that a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak. A roof leak in a hotel or guest house around Whitehawk means lost rooms as well as repairs.
Whitehawk is about 1 mile south-east of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. Anywhere in Whitehawk, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Across Brighton and Hove, we cover Whitehawk.
Electronic leak detection in BN2 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We offer electronic leak detection to properties on Peel Road, Manor Road and Craven Road. We also cover the places around Whitehawk: Kemptown (1 mile south-west), Hanover (1 mile west), Carlton Hill (1 mile west), Bevendean (1 mile north) and Brighton (1 mile north-west). Further out, we also cover Brighton and Hove (4 miles west), Hove (3 miles west), Aldrington (4 miles west), Withdean (3 miles north-west), Hangleton (5 miles north-west) and Patcham (3 miles north-west).
Around Whitehawk
Typical jobs here are in homes near St Mary's Hall, Whitehawk Hill and Longhill High School. For rail, the closest station is Brighton station, roughly 1.6 miles west of the centre. A little further out are Brighton Motor Museum (0.7 miles south-west) and Royal Sussex County Hospital (0.6 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Newmarket Hill and Whitehawk Hill.
Towns and villages near Whitehawk
Other services in Whitehawk
What you can safely check yourself
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Do not go up yourself.
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
Questions from Whitehawk
How do I find out if my home in Whitehawk 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. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Do you cover smaller places like Whitehawk?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
Can every flat roof be tested?
ELD doesn’t suit every roof. Some membranes conduct electricity and some roofs lack the layer the test needs. We’ll tell you if yours isn’t suitable before testing.
How long will testing take?
The roof’s size and build-up decide how long it takes. You’ll know roughly how long before we start.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, and it isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Does someone need to be in?
Not necessarily. If we only need the outside, we can agree that in advance, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
What we look for on each type of roof
Single-ply membranes
Many offices and units have single-ply roofs. Laps and fixings are where holes frequently appear.
EPDM rubber roofs
Certain rubber membranes are conductive which can limit electronic testing. We will tell you if yours isn’t suitable.
When to book a survey in Whitehawk
Other trades on the roof can puncture the waterproofing. Fixings, equipment and foot traffic can leave small holes.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Leaks that return after repairs
- Waterproofing to test before it is covered
- Failed seams and laps
- Breaches hidden under paving or planting
If you live in an older home near St Cuthman's, any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof.
Questions to ask before you book
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
How it works
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes a time that depends on the size of the roof and how it’s built, and we’ll give you a guide when quoting. With a bit of garden around a house, as there frequently is around Whitehawk, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Mention any side of the property we can’t get to. The loft, where there is safe access, completes the picture.
- You let us know about the roof and where water is showing.
- The roof is assessed for suitability first.
- We choose a low-voltage or high-voltage method to match the roof.
- We test the roof and locate any breaches.
- You get a report with photos of each breach.
How to prepare
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Check pets are kept safely away
Booking a survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. For any other survey, just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email when you are ready.
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Surveys for landlords and agents in Whitehawk
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the survey around it.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Bigger roofs take more time, and they’re priced for the size.
Why it is worth a survey now in Whitehawk
Cutting open a flat roof to find a leak can cause more damage. ELD aims to locate the breach first, so the repair can be targeted. On a bungalow or cottage around Whitehawk, the roof sits close to the rooms below, so water can show inside quickly once it gets past the covering. Finding the cause first saves a second job inside.
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: how big it is, how high it is, the number of separate roofs and how it can be reached and seen safely. Electronic leak detection is quoted for your roof, because the method depends on the roof.
Why us?
- Photos and a written report every time
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
See what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.