Roof leaks aren’t just inconvenient – they can seriously compromise the structure, safety, and lifespan of your building.
At Building Transformation, we specialise exclusively in non-destructive roof leak detection, deploying industry-leading diagnostic techniques and tailored access solutions to assess, locate, and report leaks on even the most complex commercial and high-rise structures.
Whether your roof is flat, pitched, domed, glazed, or contains skylights, lanterns, or complex joints, our team is equipped to identify and resolve elusive leaks using rope access, MEWPs, cradles, and other specialist access methods. So, if you’re struggling with moisture intrusion in modern single-ply systems to hard-to-trace ingress in heritage domes, we have the tools and expertise to pinpoint the issue and recommend a lasting solution.
We deliver leak detection surveys across a wide range of commercial roof types, including:
Too often, roof leaks are misdiagnosed, leading to repeated repair costs, escalating damage, and frustrated clients. We build a complete picture of the leak’s source, the pathway of ingress, and the underlying construction failures that enabled it.
You’ll receive a detailed report including:
This gives you clarity, accountability, and an evidence-backed plan of action.
Discover how our team applied electronic leak testing, thermal mapping, and rope access inspection to locate and resolve water ingress on a Grade II listed dome in central London. Our award-winning approach ensured minimal disruption and maximum conservation compliance.
Water ingress can stem from numerous causes including failed membranes, blocked drainage, cracked joints, deteriorated detailing, or complex architectural features like lanterns and domes. Our investigations are designed to trace and diagnose these hidden failures.
We start with a detailed site assessment to determine the type of roof construction and the likely causes of water ingress. From there, we select the appropriate combination of diagnostic methods, often integrating roof moisture testing, core sampling, thermal imaging, and advanced electronic leak detection techniques.
Whether it’s a suspected flat roof leak in a modern office block or unexplained damp in a listed dome structure, we use non-invasive, technically sound methods to trace the source and document it thoroughly.
Electronic leak detection (ELD) is a proven, non-destructive method for identifying breaches in flat roof membranes, especially in systems such as single-ply, bitumen, liquid-applied, or green roofs. Our ELD services include low-voltage vector mapping and high-voltage spark testing to assess membrane integrity without the need for dismantling.
Our team uses portable ELD equipment to scan the surface of the waterproofing membrane, identifying pinholes, splits, or punctures with precision. This method is particularly effective for large commercial roofs where pinpointing a leak by visual inspection alone is often impossible. It also helps verify the quality of new installations before final sign-off.
We conduct these tests safely using appropriate fall protection and access systems, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations.
Thermal imaging offers a fast, non-invasive way to detect underlying roof defects and track moisture intrusion. Using infrared cameras, we perform thermal roof surveys to identify cold spots and heat loss patterns that indicate saturated insulation or water ingress.
This method is ideal for identifying leaks in built-up roof systems and locating trapped moisture beneath membranes or roof finishes. Combined with roof moisture mapping, our thermographic analysis gives you a visual, data-led view of problem areas helping you plan targeted repairs and minimise unnecessary strip-outs.
This technique is particularly valuable for large or sensitive roofs where dismantling isn’t feasible or would cause significant disruption.
Where electronic methods are unsuitable, such as in roofs with extensive metalwork or poor conductivity, dye testing offers a simple but effective alternative.
We introduce a traceable dye into the roof drainage system, joints, or suspect penetrations. This coloured solution is then monitored as it travels through the system or appears in the building interior. Dye testing is especially useful for isolating complex roof drainage failures, coping joints, and ambiguous flashing points.
The technique allows our team to rule out or confirm specific areas as sources of ingress, supporting a focused and cost-efficient repair approach.
Endoscopic surveys, sometimes referred to as borescope inspections, allow us to look inside concealed roof voids, cavities, or behind cladding without damaging the structure. Using small high-definition cameras inserted through pre-drilled holes or existing joints, we can inspect inaccessible areas and trace leak pathways.
This is particularly effective in insulated systems or multi-layer constructions where surface-level investigations are inconclusive. Endoscopic surveys help identify corrosion, wet insulation, or failed vapour barriers without major disruption to the roof covering.
When the source of a leak is unclear, particularly in buildings with both piped services and external drainage, water testing can offer crucial insight. We collect samples of the ingress water and analyse its chemical composition to determine whether it is rainwater or piped water.
This allows us to differentiate between a leak in the waterproofing envelope and a fault in internal services, guiding the investigation toward the correct source. Water chemical testing can be especially helpful when managing complex leaks that present in internal ceilings or voids.
We regularly work on buildings where access is a key challenge such as heritage-listed, or high-footfall facilities, where scaffolding would be disruptive. Our team is fully qualified in rope access, MEWP operation, and cradle systems, ensuring we can reach, inspect, and test without compromising safety or performance.