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 Swanley (BR8) and we'll tell you which it is — with the price agreed in writing before any work.
What you might be seeing
- Brown staining or bubbling paint on the plasterboard lining around the lantern
- Damp patches on the ceiling a short distance from the lantern
- 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.
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 Swanley and the BR8 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.
Coastal wind drives rain hard against lanterns, so cappings and ridge seals on the seaward face take the most punishment.
We cover Swanley as part of Kent, about 17 miles from Maidstone.
Neighbouring places we cover include Bexley (3 miles), Dartford (4 miles), Welling (5 miles).
Guide prices for roof lantern leak repairs in Swanley
Typical range: £195–£595 ex VAT, which is £234–£714 with 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 Swanley: 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 Swanley do you cover?
As well as Swanley, we cover nearby Bexley, Dartford, Welling, Eltham and the rest of Kent.
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 Swanley
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- Upstand and kerb repairs in Swanley
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Swanley
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Roof lantern leak repairs near Swanley
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