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 from Kirkwall (KW15) and we'll tell you which it is — with the price agreed in writing before any work.
Signs you need roof lantern leak repairs
- 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
Common causes we find
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.
Roof lanterns in Kirkwall
Damp, mild winters keep moss and algae growing on flat roofs and lantern frames, which holds water against seals and blocks weep slots. Regular clearing makes a real difference in wetter areas.
Near the coast, salt in the air is hard on aluminium finishes and fixings; washing the frame occasionally and touching in chips keeps corrosion away.
We cover Kirkwall by arrangement: island work is planned around ferry access, and any travel or access costs are set out in your written quote before you commit.
What should you expect to pay in Kirkwall?
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 Scotland?
Straightforward repairs — resealing, gaskets, cappings, eaves and like-for-like parts — don't normally need building regulations approval in Scotland. Replacing the whole lantern or enlarging the opening is different and falls under the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004; we confirm in writing which route applies before any replacement. Listed buildings in Scotland need listed building consent from the planning authority for alterations, with Historic Environment Scotland guidance; check before changing a lantern on a listed property.
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 Kirkwall: 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 Kirkwall?
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 Kirkwall
- Roof lantern resealing in Kirkwall
- Upstand and kerb repairs in Kirkwall
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Kirkwall
- Misted glass unit replacement in Kirkwall
- Slipped glass panel repairs in Kirkwall
- uPVC roof lantern repairs in Kirkwall
More about roof lantern leak repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Kirkwall