Professional Roof Assessment & Leak Detection Service
With nearly six decades of combined leak detection and management experience, Thornton Consulting delivers specialist investigation services to property owners throughout Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
Our technical expertise encompasses electronic leak detection services, building leak investigations and roof assessments for all sorts of buildings, from historic industrial structures to new commercial developments.
We understand the operational challenges facing property owners and managers who are trying to preserve their building integrity while preventing the risk of water damage. Our services include planned roof inspections that identify potential weak spots before they compound, detailed roof condition surveys for a full overview of the condition of your roof and targeted building leak investigations that pinpoint sources of water ingress with exceptional accuracy. We approach every project with the same method of combining proven leak detection methodologies with clear, actionable reports.
Our Services
How We Work
Planning
Each investigation begins with careful preparation, reviewing your building's construction details, waterproofing specifications, and any known problem areas. We tailor our testing approach to suit your building's specific characteristics and your operational constraints, ensuring minimal disruption.
Testing
Our leak detection technicians deploy sophisticated electronic detection equipment suited to each structure. Whether using low voltage methods for conductive substrates (also known as the “wet method”), pinhole or holiday testing for membrane installations, or differential pressure techniques for specialist applications, we systematically survey all waterproofed areas to achieve comprehensive coverage and reliable results.
Evidence
We create detailed documentation of all of our findings, combining precise positional data with photographic evidence and technical analysis. This rigorous process provides the exact location of breaches in the waterproofing or specific source of the leak, eliminating ambiguity during the repair specification and tendering process.
Recommendations
Our reports translate technical findings into practical, actionable guidance, outlining cost-effective repair strategies. We provide clear direction on both immediate remedial work and longer-term maintenance planning, where necessary, helping you protect your property investment and manage budgets efficiently.
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What You Receive
Report
Following our investigation, you’ll receive a professional document detailing our complete findings and recommendations. These reports will suit both technical teams and senior management and stakeholders who need to understand implications and make informed decisions.
Annotated Plans
We’ll include accurate scaled drawings pinpointing every identified defect with clear reference markers. These plans enable roofing contractors to prepare precise quotations and execute repairs efficiently, avoiding unnecessary investigation work that runs the risk of inflating overall roof repair costs.
Programme Guidance
We’ll include accurate scaled drawings pinpointing every identified defect with clear reference markers. These plans enable roofing contractors to prepare precise quotations and execute repairs efficiently, avoiding unnecessary investigation work that runs the risk of inflating overall roof repair costs.
Coverage
Our leak detection specialists provide services across Birmingham and throughout the West Midlands metropolitan area.
Birmingham City Centre: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5
Greater Birmingham: B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12, B13, B14, B15, B16, B17, B18, B19, B20, B21, B23, B24, B25, B26, B27, B28, B29, B30, B31, B32, B33, B34, B36, B37, B38, B40, B42, B43, B44, B45
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Key Areas: Birmingham City Centre, Digbeth, Jewellery Quarter, Edgbaston, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Erdington, Perry Barr, Selly Oak, Harborne, Kings Heath, Moseley, Acocks Green, Sheldon, Castle Bromwich
Case Studies
FAQs
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What types of buildings do you work on?
We work across the full spectrum of commercial and large-scale residential properties, including office buildings, retail centres, industrial warehouses, distribution facilities, multi-storey car parks, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, hotels, and apartment complexes. Regardless of building age or construction type, we tailor our approach to suit your specific structure.
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Can you test newly installed roofing systems as well as existing ones?
Absolutely. In fact, integrity testing of newly installed waterproofing is one of our areas of particular expertise. Testing new installations before handover provides verification that the system is free from defects and meets specification requirements. This quality assurance protects your investment and ensures any issues are identified and rectified during the contractor's liability period rather than becoming your problem after that window closes.
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How soon after reporting will we need to undertake repair works?
The urgency depends entirely on the severity and location of the defects identified, although where immediate attention is required, this will be highlighted in the report. Other minor issues can be scheduled at a later date or incorporated into a planned maintenance programme.