Southwark at a glance
- Postcode districts
- SE5, SE15, SE17, SE22, SE14, SE11, SE1, SE8
- Council area
- London Borough of Southwark
- Building approval
- London Borough of Southwark building control, or a registered building control approver
- Guide price region
- London (+20% on West Midlands rates)
What should you do about a roof leak in Southwark?
Older felt roofs in Southwark that have lost their chippings dry out and crack, and a cold snap can open those cracks enough to let water through. A temporary repair stops the immediate leak, but a roof like that often needs a frank conversation about replacement.
Southwark's flat roofs are mostly on shops with flat-roofed stores below flats above, with plenty on kitchen extensions and roof terraces behind period houses too. The Thames basin is one of the drier parts of Britain at roughly 730 mm of rain a year, but summer heat is the bigger test here: dark membranes on south-facing roofs swing a long way in temperature.
How much does an emergency leak repair cost in Southwark?
Guide price in Southwark: £220–£540 for an emergency temporary weatherproofing visit, including VAT at London rates. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Emergency temporary weatherproofing visit | £220–£540 |
| Localised patch repair | £180–£600 |
| Upstand or flashing repair | £300–£780 |
| Condition survey and leak investigation | £180–£360 |
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.
What's included?
- Written quote for the permanent repair or replacement
- Temporary weatherproofing as soon as a team is available
- Advice by phone on keeping the water contained safely
- Blocked outlets and gutters cleared where they're the cause
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a flat roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so the roof is insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's technically and economically feasible, and the work is notified to building control: the council or a registered building control approver, unless a registered competent person self-certifies it. A roof on a new extension is built to 0.15 W/m²K. Patch repairs, and most unheated detached garages, don't trigger the upgrade. Structural changes, or a new covering that adds 15% or more to the roof's weight, also need approval. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
Emergency leak repairs in Southwark: questions
Do you cover Southwark?
Yes. Southwark is part of our London coverage, including postcode districts SE5, SE15, SE17, SE22, SE14, SE11 and 2 more. Surveys and roofs are carried out by vetted roofing teams working under S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.
Who checks building regulations for a flat roof in Southwark?
Where the work needs approval it goes to London Borough of Southwark building control, or a registered building control approver. We tell you at the survey whether your job needs it and deal with the paperwork as part of the quote.
How much does an emergency leak repair cost in Southwark?
£220–£540 for an emergency temporary weatherproofing visit, at London guide rates including VAT. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.
Do you do emergency repairs for landlords and businesses?
Yes. We carry out emergency visits for landlords, managing agents and commercial owners as well as homeowners. Let us know who will give access and how to reach the roof when you call.
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.