Flat RoofingContractors

Repairs and surveys

Emergency leak repairs across Dorset

Homeowners, landlords and businesses in Dorset can call us when a flat roof starts leaking. While you wait, contain the water with buckets, isolate any electrics near it if you can do so safely, and keep out of rooms with a sagging ceiling. We send a team as soon as one is available.

Tarpaulin weighted with sandbags over a leaking extension roof in the rain as a temporary repairComputer-generated example image
Guide price
£190–£460
Repair price
Confirmed once the leak or damage is found
Condition survey report
£150–£310
Coverage
England, Wales, Scotland, NI

Dorset at a glance

Largest towns
Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Christchurch
Postcode areas
BH, DT
Building control
BCP Council and Dorset Council
Neighbouring areas
Wiltshire · Hampshire · Somerset · Bristol
Guide price region
South West (+3% on West Midlands rates)

How much does an emergency leak repair cost in Dorset?

Guide prices including VAT at South West rates. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.

JobGuide 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 Dorset?

Flat roofs in Dorset sit on 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions, lock-up garage blocks on estates and newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced. 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 Dorset the application goes to BCP Council and Dorset Council. More on the rules.

Should the roof be repaired or replaced after an emergency leak?

It depends on what the inspection finds once the roof is dry. A single storm-damaged area on a sound roof can usually be repaired. Widespread damage, wet insulation or a soft deck point towards replacement.

Emergencies tend to happen on roofs that were already near the end of their life. A storm lifts a tired seam, or a winter of frost opens cracks in old felt. We will give you a straight answer about which applies to your roof, and our repair or replace guide explains how to weigh it up.

Water that got in during the leak needs to dry out. Saturated insulation inside a roof doesn't insulate well and can keep the deck damp, so if it is soaked, it will need replacing as part of 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 Dorset do we cover?

Emergency leak repairs in Dorset: questions

Which towns in Dorset do you cover?

All of Dorset. 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 Dorset?

£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 postcode areas do you cover in Dorset?

All of Dorset, including the BH, DT postcode areas. Send your full postcode and we'll confirm.

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.

Will my home insurance cover an emergency roof repair?

It depends on your policy and the cause. Storm damage is often covered, while wear and tear usually isn't, so check with your insurer. Notes made at the time, plus our written report, can help with a claim.

Is a leaking ceiling dangerous?

It can be. A ceiling that is bulging or sagging may be holding water and could come down, so keep people out of the room beneath it. Water near light fittings or sockets is a serious electrical risk, so isolate that circuit if you can do so safely.

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