The upstand, or kerb, is the raised frame the lantern sits on. Send photos from Lowestoft (NR32) and we'll tell you which it is — with the price agreed in writing before any work.
What you might be seeing
- Water appearing below the lantern rather than from the glass
- Roof membrane not lapped up the kerb, or peeling off it
- Ponding water against the kerb after rain
What usually causes it?
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.
Rotten timber
Untreated or wet timber kerbs rot from inside, so the lantern loses support and the seals open.
About Lowestoft and the NR32 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.
Lowestoft is around 38 miles from Ipswich, and both are within our Suffolk coverage.
Neighbouring places we cover include Great Yarmouth (9 miles), Norwich (22 miles), Stowmarket (37 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?
Most lantern repairs in England need no approval at all. Where a job turns into a replacement, the Building Regulations 2010 apply and we confirm how the work will be signed off before we start. 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 Lowestoft: questions
Can you repair a lantern someone else installed in Lowestoft?
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.
Which places near Lowestoft do you cover?
As well as Lowestoft, we cover nearby Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Stowmarket, Ipswich and the rest of Suffolk.
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 Lowestoft
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Lowestoft
- Misted glass unit replacement in Lowestoft
- uPVC roof lantern repairs in Lowestoft
- Opening vent and actuator repairs in Lowestoft
- Roof lantern respraying in Lowestoft
- Roof lantern replacement in Lowestoft
Upstand and kerb repairs near Lowestoft
More about upstand and kerb repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Lowestoft