In St Helens, 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.
Signs you need upstand and kerb repairs
- Water appearing below the lantern rather than from the glass
- Soft or spongy timber at the base of the lantern
- Roof membrane not lapped up the kerb, or peeling off it
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.
Rotten timber
Untreated or wet timber kerbs rot from inside, so the lantern loses support and the seals open.
About St Helens and the WA10 area
Western and upland parts of the UK get more rain and more wind-driven rain than the east, and that's what finds weak cappings and blocked eaves first. Lanterns here benefit from a check of the bars on the most exposed face and a clear eaves channel before winter.
Urban grime and traffic film dull glass and frames quickly; a clean and seal check makes a tired lantern look and perform much better.
Coastal wind drives rain hard against lanterns, so cappings and ridge seals on the seaward face take the most punishment.
St Helens is around 10 miles from Liverpool, and both are within our Merseyside coverage.
Neighbouring places we cover include Prescot (3 miles), Ashton-in-Makerfield (4 miles), Huyton (5 miles).
How much should it cost?
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 St Helens: 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.
Which places near St Helens do you cover?
As well as St Helens, we cover nearby Prescot, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Huyton, Newton-le-Willows and the rest of Merseyside.
How much does an upstand repair cost?
Typically £395–£1,295 ex VAT depending on size, timber condition and the roof covering. The fixed price is confirmed in writing before work starts.
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 St Helens
- Glazing bar and capping repairs in St Helens
- Condensation diagnosis and fixes in St Helens
- Aluminium roof lantern repairs in St Helens
- Roof lantern respraying in St Helens
- Roof lantern replacement in St Helens
- Orangery lantern repairs in St Helens
Upstand and kerb repairs near St Helens
More about upstand and kerb repairs · All roof lantern repairs in St Helens