In Ilford, 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.
Signs you need roof lantern leak repairs
- Brown staining or bubbling paint on the plasterboard lining around the lantern
- Water running down the inside face of the glass
- Damp patches on the ceiling a short distance from the lantern
Why it happens
Failed silicone or glazing tape
UV and thermal movement break down the seal between capping, gasket and glass. Once a gap opens, water tracks along the bar and drops at the lowest point.
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.
Covering Ilford and nearby
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.
Across London, many lanterns sit on rear extensions with access only through the house, so we protect floors and plan the work to keep time indoors to a minimum. Parking and any permits are factored into the quote.
From Westminster to Ilford is roughly 10 miles — all part of the Greater London area we cover.
If you're just outside Ilford, we also cover Barking (2 miles), Becontree (2 miles), Leytonstone (3 miles).
How much should it cost?
Guide price for roof lantern leak repairs: £195–£595 ex VAT (£234–£714 inc 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 Ilford: 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.
Can you repair a lantern someone else installed in Ilford?
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.
Will you show me what was wrong?
Yes. We photograph the failed detail and the finished repair and send them to you with the invoice.
Other lantern repairs in Ilford
- Roof lantern resealing in Ilford
- Ridge and hip repairs in Ilford
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Ilford
- Aluminium roof lantern repairs in Ilford
- Urgent leak make-safe in Ilford
- Commercial roof lantern repairs in Ilford
Roof lantern leak repairs near Ilford
More about roof lantern leak repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Ilford