- Guide price
- £190–£460
- Repair price
- Confirmed once the leak or damage is found
- Condition survey report
- £150–£310
- Coverage
- England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Bristol at a glance
- Largest towns
- Bristol
- Postcode areas
- BS
- Building control
- Bristol City Council
- Neighbouring areas
- Somerset · Gloucestershire · Wiltshire · Herefordshire
- Guide price region
- South West (+3% on West Midlands rates)
How much does an emergency leak repair cost in Bristol?
Guide prices including VAT at South West rates. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Emergency temporary weatherproofing visit | £190–£460 |
| Localised patch repair | £150–£520 |
| Upstand or flashing repair | £260–£670 |
| Condition survey and leak investigation | £150–£310 |
Which flat roofs are common in Bristol?
Flat roofs in Bristol sit on 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions, shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats and terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms. The South West averages roughly 1,260 mm of rain a year and many roofs face wind off the Atlantic, so we specify fixings and edge details for wind uplift as well as drainage. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. Renovated roofs over heated rooms are insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.15 W/m²K. In Bristol the application goes to Bristol City Council. More on the rules.
What does a temporary weatherproofing visit involve?
A temporary visit stops the water getting in until a permanent repair can be made. It is not the finished repair.
Depending on the weather and the damage, the team may clear a blocked outlet or gutter that is backing water up, fix a heavy-duty temporary sheet over the damaged area, weight or secure lifted membrane and trims, or apply a temporary seal to a split or open lap. Where a rooflight or upstand is the cause, they make it as weathertight as they safely can.
Before they leave, the team will tell you what they found and what they did. They may also be able to give you an early view of whether the roof looks repairable or is due for replacement. That is followed by a written quote for the permanent work.
How long does a temporary repair last?
A temporary repair is designed to hold for days or weeks, not years. It buys time for the roof to dry and for the permanent work to be planned.
Temporary sheeting can be lifted by high winds, and a cold-weather seal on a wet surface won't bond as well as a proper repair. We recommend booking the permanent repair or replacement promptly rather than relying on the temporary fix through a season. If the temporary work moves or the leak returns, call us again.
Once the permanent work is done, how long it lasts depends on the repair and on the rest of the roof. Our lifespan guide gives typical service lives for each roof system.
Which towns in Bristol do we cover?
Emergency leak repairs in Bristol: questions
Which towns in Bristol do you cover?
All of Bristol. The main towns have their own pages below, and if yours isn't listed we still cover it: send your postcode and we'll confirm.
How much does an emergency leak repair cost in Bristol?
£190–£460 for an emergency temporary weatherproofing visit, at South West guide rates including VAT. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.
Which council handles building control for a flat roof in Bristol?
It depends on where the roof is: in Bristol that's Bristol City Council. Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. We confirm which applies at the survey.
Can I put a tarpaulin on my flat roof myself?
We'd advise against it. Getting onto a flat roof in bad weather is dangerous, and many roofs and rooflights are fragile. Contain the water indoors and call us instead.
What causes a sudden flat roof leak?
Common causes are storm damage that lifts seams, edges or trims, outlets blocked by leaves so water backs up over upstands, and old felt cracking after a cold snap. Sometimes the cause is a wall or coping above the roof rather than the roof itself.
Can you repair a flat roof in the rain?
A temporary repair can often be made in wet weather if it is safe to work. A permanent repair needs a dry surface for the materials to bond, so it is done once conditions allow.
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