In Chatham, as everywhere, the upstand, or kerb, is the raised frame the lantern sits on. Send photos and we'll tell you what we think has failed.
What you might be seeing
- Roof membrane not lapped up the kerb, or peeling off it
- Ponding water against the kerb after rain
- Cold, damp or mouldy lining around the opening
What usually causes it?
Kerb too low
If the kerb doesn't rise enough above the finished roof, water sits against the joint during heavy rain.
Membrane not dressed up
The flat roof covering should run up the kerb and be trimmed or flashed. If it stops short, water gets behind it.
About Chatham and the ME4 area
Drier, sunnier parts of the UK are kinder to seals than the wet west, but strong sun ages sealant, gaskets and plastic end caps, and south- or west-facing lanterns can make rooms very warm. Solar control glass and an opening vent help.
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.
From Maidstone to Chatham is roughly 8 miles — all part of the Kent area we cover.
If you're just outside Chatham, we also cover Gillingham (1 mile), Rochester (1 mile), Strood (2 miles).
Guide prices for upstand and kerb repairs in Chatham
Guide price for upstand and kerb repairs: £395–£1,295 ex VAT (£474–£1,554 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?
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.
Upstand and kerb repairs in Chatham: questions
Do you need to visit to price upstand and kerb 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 Chatham?
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.
Can you add insulation to the kerb?
Yes. Insulated kerbs reduce cold bridging and help with condensation around the opening.
Will my ceiling need repairing?
If water has soaked the lining it may need making good after the leak is fixed; we can advise, but internal decorating isn't included unless quoted.
Other lantern repairs in Chatham
- Roof lantern leak repairs in Chatham
- Solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades in Chatham
- uPVC roof lantern repairs in Chatham
- Leak investigation and inspection in Chatham
- Cleaning and maintenance in Chatham
- Urgent leak make-safe in Chatham
Upstand and kerb repairs near Chatham
More about upstand and kerb repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Chatham