HydroWatch™ by Vanguard Waterproofing Systems
Your Flat Roof Is Leaking. You Just Don’t Know It Yet.
Find out exactly where — before the damage bill lands on your desk.
If you manage commercial property, you already know the drill. A tenant reports a water stain. You send someone to site. They can’t find the source. Weeks pass. By the time the membrane is stripped back, the insulation is saturated and you’re looking at a five-figure remedial bill.
What if you could see the moisture the day it got in?
HydroWatch™ gives you 24/7 visibility of moisture levels across your entire flat roof — so you catch problems in days, not months. Powered by Tector’s wireless sensor technology, it’s the difference between a targeted repair and a full roof replacement.
Why 50% of Flat Roof Projects End in Post-Handover Defects
You wouldn’t run a commercial building without fire alarms. But right now, most flat roofs have zero monitoring between annual inspections — and that’s where the damage happens.
Industry data shows defect rectification accounts for over 3% of total construction costs. More than half of flat roof projects experience defects after handover. The causes are predictable: rushed programmes, workmanship errors, design detailing failures, and damage from follow-on trades walking across finished membranes.
If your building has solar panels, a green or blue roof, terrace areas, or rooftop plant — the risk multiplies. Every penetration through the waterproofing layer is a potential failure point.
You deserve to know what’s happening under your roof covering — not find out when it’s too late.
The Cost of Late Detection
- Saturated insulation that has to be ripped out and replaced
- Structural steel corrosion from prolonged moisture exposure
- Mould in concealed voids — health risk and remediation cost
- Business disruption: ceiling collapses, IT damage, stock losses
- Insurance excess on water damage claims averaging £10,000+
- Repeated patch repairs that treat symptoms, not the cause
Early detection can reduce repair costs by up to 95%.
How You Get 24/7 Visibility of Every Square Metre
HydroWatch™ uses compact wireless sensors installed beneath your roof covering and insulation, directly above the waterproofing membrane. Once in place, they monitor moisture, temperature and humidity continuously — feeding data into an AI-powered platform that converts complex readings into a simple, colour-coded risk score you can check from your phone.
Wireless Sensors
Placed at strategic intervals across your roof, each covering 15–25 m². Installation takes under one minute per sensor and can be completed during any roofing works without disrupting your programme. If your roof is already completed, sensors can be retrofitted.
Real-Time Alerts
AI-driven analysis runs 24/7, detecting changes in moisture levels the moment they occur. You’re alerted immediately if conditions change — no waiting for the next scheduled inspection, no relying on tenants to report problems.
Your Dashboard
Access your roof’s live status from anywhere via a secure online platform. View risk scores, moisture trends and alerts at building, roof or zone level. You see exactly what’s happening, in plain English, without needing a surveyor to interpret it.
What HydroWatch™ Means for Your Budget, Insurance & Maintenance
Cut repair costs by up to 95%
Early detection lets you make pinpoint repairs at the source. No exploratory works. No stripping back entire roof areas. That could mean the difference between a £500 patch repair and a £50,000 roof replacement.
Your insurer will take notice
Continuous monitoring demonstrates proactive risk management. HydroWatch™ clients report potential savings of up to 50% on water ingress excess costs, alongside improved terms and broader coverage.
Stop paying for inspections that miss problems
Traditional moisture surveys are expensive, infrequent and reactive. HydroWatch™ delivers continuous data across every monitored zone at a fraction of the cost — and it never takes a day off.
25-year sensor lifespan — zero maintenance
Tector’s wireless sensors are designed for a 25-year operational life with no battery replacements and no servicing. Install once and monitor for decades.
AI that knows the difference
The platform doesn’t just measure moisture — it interprets it. By analysing patterns across multiple sensors and environmental conditions, HydroWatch™ distinguishes between genuine risk events and normal fluctuations. No false alarms.
Is HydroWatch™ Right for Your Building?
If you're responsible for commercial flat roof assets, the answer is almost certainly yes. Here's how it works for your specific situation:
Managing Agents & Facilities Managers
You’re juggling multiple buildings, reactive call-outs, and tenant complaints. HydroWatch™ replaces guesswork with data. You can see which roofs need attention and which are fine — from your desk. Your maintenance programme becomes planned, not panic-driven.
Commercial Landlords & Investors
Your roof is protecting your asset value. Undetected moisture degrades insulation, damages interiors, and drives down rental income. HydroWatch™ gives you continuous condition visibility and documented proof of proactive risk management.
Developers & Main Contractors
Installing sensors during construction de-risks your handover. Provide your client with a live monitoring system from day one, reduce post-completion defect liability, and differentiate your offer from competitors who hand over a roof and walk away.
Retail, Logistics & Healthcare
Water ingress doesn’t just damage your building. It interrupts your business, damages stock, and creates regulatory headaches. HydroWatch™ gives you early warning so you can act before operations are affected.
How Your HydroWatch™ Installation Works
As an approved Tector installation partner, Vanguard handles your entire HydroWatch™ journey:
Your roof is assessed
Your building is surveyed, risk zones are identified, and a sensor layout is designed specifically for your roof configuration.
Your sensors are installed
Fitted during new roofing works or retrofitted to your existing roof with minimal disruption to your building operations.
Your dashboard goes live
Your platform is configured, alert thresholds are set, and your team is given access with a full walkthrough.
You’re supported ongoing
Technical support, data interpretation guidance, and if the system flags an issue, Vanguard can carry out the remedial works directly. One provider, end to end.
HydroWatch™ can be included as part of a Vanguard planned preventative maintenance contract — giving you monitoring plus guaranteed response — or specified as a standalone monitoring service.
Why This Matters to Us
We’ve been refurbishing and replacing flat roofs for over 25 years. The one thing that frustrated us — and frustrated our clients — was that roof failures were almost always discovered too late. A small defect that could have been a £500 repair turns into a £50,000 strip-and-replace because nobody knew it was there.
When we saw what Tector’s sensor technology could do, we knew we had to bring it to our clients. HydroWatch™ isn’t just a product we sell — it’s how we think roofing should work. Monitor continuously, intervene early, protect the asset.
If you’d like to talk about whether it’s right for your building, call us directly.
— Paull Newsome, Commercial Director, Vanguard Waterproofing Systems
Your Guarantee
If you commission a HydroWatch™ installation through Vanguard and you're not satisfied that the system is delivering clear, actionable data within 90 days of commissioning, we'll work with you until it does — at no additional cost.
We stand behind the technology because we've seen what it does. And because your trust in us matters more than any single transaction.
Commonly Asked Questions
How do the sensors get installed?
Installation takes less than a minute per sensor. A small round hole is cut in the insulation, the sensor is placed inside, and a QR code is scanned to register it on the platform. Sensors sit beneath the roof covering and above the waterproofing membrane — completely hidden and protected. They can be installed during new roof installations or retrofitted into existing roofs.
Do the sensors need batteries or maintenance?
No. Tector sensors are designed for a 25-year lifespan with no battery replacements and no maintenance. They use LoRaWAN connectivity — a long-range, low-power wireless protocol — with gateways that cover up to 500 metres. Once installed, they simply work.
How is this different from a one-off leak detection survey?
A leak detection survey is a snapshot — it tells you what’s happening on one day. Electronic moisture monitoring is continuous. It detects changes over time, catches slow leaks that a single survey would miss, and alerts you the moment conditions change. Think of it as the difference between a single blood pressure reading and wearing a heart monitor.
What does the monitoring actually cost?
The cost depends on the number of sensors and the size of your roof. We’ll survey your building and recommend the right sensor density for your roof type. There’s a one-off installation cost plus an annual software subscription for the monitoring platform. Contact us for a tailored quote.
Can this be installed on an existing roof?
Yes. Tector sensors can be retrofitted into existing flat roofs without stripping the roof covering. A small section is lifted, the sensor placed in the insulation, and the covering reinstated. It’s a quick, non-destructive process that doesn’t affect your roof warranty.
Who uses this technology?
Tector sensors are deployed on projects across the UK and Europe, trusted by companies including ARUP, Galliford Try, and Willmott Dixon. They’re used in commercial offices, schools, healthcare facilities, heritage buildings, and logistics warehouses. Oxford’s Jesus College is one notable example — sensors detected a second leak during remediation that would otherwise have gone unnoticed.
Take the First Step — Book Your Free HydroWatch™ Assessment
Every day without monitoring is a day your roof could be taking on water without you knowing. The assessment is free, non-obligatory, and gives you a clear picture of where your building is most vulnerable.
Here's what happens when you get in touch:
- 1 You speak to Paull or a member of the technical team
- 2 A site visit is arranged at a time that suits you
- 3 You receive a written risk assessment identifying your roof's key vulnerability zones
- 4 You decide whether HydroWatch™ is right for your building — no pressure, no hard sell
P.S. The average undetected flat roof leak costs 12 times more to fix than one caught early. If you manage commercial property and you don't have continuous moisture monitoring, you're gambling with your client's asset every single day. The assessment is free. Book it here.
Limited Availability
We're booking free HydroWatch™ assessments for commercial buildings over 500 m² of flat roof area. Slots are limited. Get in touch now to secure yours.
What Our Clients Say
“We manage 40+ commercial properties across the South East. Vanguard surveyed our entire portfolio, gave us a prioritised maintenance plan, and have been managing the programme ever since. The reporting alone saves us hours every quarter.”
Portfolio Director
Managing Agent, WGP Maintenance
“The survey report was the most thorough I’ve seen from any roofing contractor. Core samples, thermal imaging, detailed photos. It gave us everything we needed to make a decision and present to the board.”
Estates Manager
Property Management, University of Plymouth
Trusted By Leading Organisations
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HydroWatch™ is a Vanguard Waterproofing Systems service powered by Tector flat roof sensor technology. Vanguard Waterproofing Systems Ltd trades as Proactive Flat Roofing.