In Colchester, as everywhere, a roof lantern leak is almost always a failed seal, a lifted capping, blocked eaves drainage or a problem where the kerb meets the flat roof — not a failed lantern. Send photos and we'll tell you what we think has failed.

Is it time for roof lantern leak repairs?
- Drips from a glazing bar or the eaves beam when it rains
- Water running down the inside face of the glass
- A leak that only appears in wind-driven rain from one direction
Why it happens
Lifted or misaligned cappings
Top cappings clip or screw over each glazing bar. If one has lifted, been knocked or was never seated, rain gets straight under it.
Blocked eaves drainage
Most lanterns collect water in a channel inside the eaves beam and let it out through weep slots. Leaves, moss and grit block the slots and the channel overflows indoors.
About Colchester and the CO1 area
Sun and UV do more damage than rain on many lanterns here: brittle ridge caps, chalky finishes and hardened gaskets. They're cheap to replace before they let water in.
Colchester is around 21 miles from Chelmsford, and both are within our Essex coverage.
If you're just outside Colchester, we also cover Sudbury (13 miles), Clacton-on-Sea (13 miles), Witham (13 miles).
What should you expect to pay in Colchester?
Most roof lantern leak repairs jobs come in between £195 and £595 ex VAT (£234–£714 including VAT), per lantern. Towers or scaffold, where needed, are priced into the quote. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing before any work starts.
Do you need permission in England?
In England, like-for-like repairs to a roof lantern don't usually involve building control. A full replacement or a bigger opening is controlled under the Building Regulations 2010, so we set out the route in writing first. Listed buildings need listed building consent from the local council for alterations, and conservation areas can have extra controls; like-for-like repairs are treated differently from changes, so check with the council's conservation officer first.
How does it work?
- Send photosWhatsApp or upload a few photos and tell us when it leaks.
- Guide priceWe reply with a guide price and whether a visit is needed.
- Fixed price in writingYou approve the price and the date before anything starts.
- Repair and testWe fix what's failed, water-test where it matters, and send photos.
Roof lantern leak repairs in Colchester: questions
Do you cover Colchester?
Yes. We cover Colchester, including the CO1 postcode area, as part of Essex. Send photos by WhatsApp or the form for a free guide price, and we'll confirm the fixed price in writing before any work starts.
Can you repair a lantern someone else installed in Colchester?
Yes. We repair lanterns whoever fitted them. If yours is still under the installer's warranty, contact them first so you don't affect it.
How much does a roof lantern leak repair cost?
Most leak repairs fall between £195 and £595 ex VAT for a standard lantern with ladder access. The fixed price is confirmed in writing before any work starts.
Can you fix the leak in the rain?
We can make the lantern safe in wet weather, but sealants and tapes need a dry, clean surface to bond, so permanent repairs are done in a dry window.
Other lantern repairs in Colchester
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- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Colchester
- Misted glass unit replacement in Colchester
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Colchester
- Opening vent and actuator repairs in Colchester
- Urgent leak make-safe in Colchester
Roof lantern leak repairs near Colchester
More about roof lantern leak repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Colchester