Flat RoofingContractors

Repairs and surveys

Edge trims, outlets and drainage across East Lothian

If your flat roof in East Lothian has lifted trims, a rotting fascia, overflowing gutters or water that won't drain away, it's worth having the edges and drainage looked at before the problem reaches the inside of the building. We'll tell you whether a targeted repair will do, or whether the roof needs more.

Aluminium drip trim discharging into a new black gutter beside a roof outlet on a rubber flat roofComputer-generated example image
Guide price
£110–£330
Repair price
Confirmed once the leak or damage is found
Condition survey report
£140–£290
Coverage
England, Wales, Scotland, NI

East Lothian at a glance

Largest towns
Musselburgh, Tranent, Dunbar, Haddington
Postcode areas
EH
Building standards
East Lothian Council
Neighbouring areas
Midlothian · City of Edinburgh · Scottish Borders · West Lothian
Guide price region
Scotland (−5% on West Midlands rates)

How much does a new roof edge or outlet cost in East Lothian?

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

JobGuide price inc VAT
Outlet or drainage repair£110–£330
Localised patch repair£140–£480
Upstand or flashing repair£240–£620
Emergency temporary weatherproofing visit£170–£430
Condition survey and leak investigation£140–£290

Which flat roofs are common in East Lothian?

Flat roofs in East Lothian sit on shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats, newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced and 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches. Scotland averages roughly 1,570 mm of rain a year, with the west far wetter than the east, so drainage, falls and wind uplift are part of every specification we write. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.

Building standards in Scotland

In Scotland a building warrant is usually needed for alterations, structural work and new roofs; like-for-like repairs to a covering can be exempt. Section 6 of the technical handbooks sets a domestic roof benchmark of 0.12 W/m²K, applied as far as reasonably practicable on an existing roof. In East Lothian the application goes to East Lothian Council (building standards). More on the rules.

Should I fix the edges and drainage or replace the whole roof?

Fix the edges and drainage on their own if the covering is in good condition and the deck is sound. If the covering is near the end of its life or the falls need correcting across the whole roof, it is usually better value to do everything together as part of a replacement.

Trims and outlets are bonded into the waterproofing, so replacing them means cutting into the covering around the edge. On a roof with plenty of life left, that is a worthwhile repair. On an old, brittle covering, the new detail can end up stronger than the roof around it, and correcting falls means taking the covering off anyway. Our repair or replace guide sets out how to decide.

How long do flat roof trims and outlets last?

Properly fixed GRP or aluminium trims and well-installed outlets should last about as long as the waterproofing they are part of. What shortens their life is poor fixing, movement in a rotten deck edge and blockages that are never cleared.

A quick check of outlets and gutters each autumn, and again after storms, prevents most drainage problems. Look for leaves and silt in outlets, gutters pulling away from the fascia, trims that have lifted or split at joints and staining on the wall below the edge. The maintenance guide lists what to check and when. Only check what you can see safely from the ground, a window or a ladder at the edge, and never walk on a roof that isn't designed for it.

Which towns in East Lothian do we cover?

Edge trims, outlets and drainage in East Lothian: questions

Which towns in East Lothian do you cover?

All of East Lothian. 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 a new roof edge or outlet cost in East Lothian?

£110–£330 for an outlet or drainage repair, at Scotland guide rates including VAT. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.

Which council handles building standards for a flat roof in East Lothian?

It depends on where the roof is: in East Lothian that's East Lothian Council. In Scotland a building warrant is usually needed for alterations, structural work and new roofs; like-for-like repairs to a covering can be exempt. We confirm which applies at the survey.

Is some standing water on a flat roof normal?

A thin film that clears within a day or two of rain is common and usually harmless. Deeper water that lingers for days points to poor falls, a sagging deck or a blocked outlet and should be looked at.

Why is my fascia rotting under a flat roof?

Usually because water is getting behind a loose or badly lapped trim, or running back under the edge because there is no proper drip. The fascia and deck edge are replaced and new trims are fitted to stop it happening again.

Can you add a new outlet to an existing flat roof?

Usually, yes. The outlet is cut in at a low point, connected to a downpipe or gutter, and the waterproofing is dressed into it with compatible materials. Whether it solves ponding depends on whether water can actually reach it.

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