In Lerwick, 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
- 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
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.
Roof lanterns in Lerwick
Wind-driven rain is the real test of a roof lantern, and the wetter west sees plenty of it. Leaks that appear only in a storm from one direction usually point to the cappings or eaves on that face — a useful clue when you send us photos.
Coastal wind drives rain hard against lanterns, so cappings and ridge seals on the seaward face take the most punishment.
We cover Lerwick 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.
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 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 Lerwick: questions
Do you cover Lerwick?
Yes, by arrangement. We cover Lerwick, including the ZE1 postcode area, as part of Highlands and Islands. 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.
How do I get a price for roof lantern leak repairs in Lerwick?
Send a few photos of the lantern and the problem, with your Lerwick postcode. We'll reply with a guide price and tell you whether a visit is needed before we can fix the price.
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 Lerwick
- Glazing bar and capping repairs in Lerwick
- Eaves beam and gutter repairs in Lerwick
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Lerwick
- Leak investigation and inspection in Lerwick
- Roof lantern replacement in Lerwick
- Commercial roof lantern repairs in Lerwick
More about roof lantern leak repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Lerwick