In Finchley, 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.
What you might be seeing
- Drips from a glazing bar or the eaves beam when it rains
- Brown staining or bubbling paint on the plasterboard lining around the lantern
- Damp patches on the ceiling a short distance from the lantern
What usually causes 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.
The kerb or roof junction
If the flat roof membrane isn't dressed high enough up the kerb, or the kerb has no fall, water sits against the joint and finds its way in under the lantern.
About Finchley and the N3 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.
London's extensions are often tight to neighbouring walls and roofs. Where a repair needs access over a neighbour's property, we'll tell you in advance so you can arrange it.
Finchley is around 8 miles from Westminster, and both are within our Greater London coverage.
If you're just outside Finchley, we also cover Muswell Hill (2 miles), Cricklewood (3 miles), Kilburn (3 miles).
Guide prices for roof lantern leak repairs in Finchley
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?
Straightforward repairs — resealing, gaskets, cappings, eaves and like-for-like parts — don't normally need building regulations approval in England. Replacing the whole lantern or enlarging the opening is different and falls under the Building Regulations 2010; we confirm in writing which route applies before any replacement. 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 Finchley: questions
Do you need to visit to price roof lantern leak repairs?
Not always. Clear photos are often enough for a guide price. Where the cause isn't obvious, a visit to inspect and water-test is charged from £145 ex VAT, confirmed before we come.
Which places near Finchley do you cover?
As well as Finchley, we cover nearby Muswell Hill, Cricklewood, Kilburn, Wood Green and the rest of Greater London.
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.
Do I need to be home?
If we need to water-test or check the inside of the lantern, yes. Exterior-only work can sometimes be done with access arranged in advance.
Other lantern repairs in Finchley
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