Flat RoofingContractors

Repairs and surveys

Edge trims, outlets and drainage across Greater Manchester

We repair and replace flat roof trims, kerbs, outlets, gutters and overflows across Greater Manchester. Many leaks and most cases of ponding start at the perimeter or with poor drainage, so we check how water moves across the roof before recommending a fix. You get a fixed written price before any work starts.

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

Greater Manchester at a glance

Largest towns
Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton
Postcode areas
BL, M, OL, SK, WA, WN
Building control
Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Wigan Council and 7 other councils
Neighbouring areas
Cheshire · Lancashire · Merseyside · West Yorkshire
Guide price region
North West (−5% on West Midlands rates)

How much does a new roof edge or outlet cost in Greater Manchester?

Guide prices including VAT at North West 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 Greater Manchester?

Flat roofs in Greater Manchester sit on lock-up garage blocks on estates, terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms and low-rise post-war blocks of flats. The North West is one of England's wetter regions, averaging roughly 1,290 mm of rain a year, so falls, outlets and well-detailed upstands matter more than the membrane colour. 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 Greater Manchester the application goes to Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Wigan Council and 7 other councils. More on the rules.

Why does water sit on my flat roof?

Water sits on a flat roof because it can't drain off fast enough: the falls are too shallow, part of the roof slopes the wrong way, the deck has sagged between joists, or an outlet is blocked or set too high.

Current guidance on flat roof design (BS 6229) means most roofs need to achieve a finished fall of at least 1:80, and roofs are commonly designed with a steeper fall, such as 1:60, so that building tolerances and deck deflection still leave enough slope. Many older roofs were built with less, or have settled over time.

A small amount of water that clears within a day or two of rain is often tolerable. Deeper ponding that lingers adds weight, holds dirt and debris, can shorten the life of some coverings and turns any small defect into a leak. A patch won't fix it, because the problem is the shape of the roof. The fix is to correct the falls, either with firring pieces under a new deck or with tapered insulation in a warm roof, or to add or lower outlets so water has somewhere to go. Our ponding water guide explains this in more detail.

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.

Which towns in Greater Manchester do we cover?

Edge trims, outlets and drainage in Greater Manchester: questions

Which towns in Greater Manchester do you cover?

All of Greater Manchester. 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 Greater Manchester?

£110–£330 for an outlet or drainage repair, at North 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 Greater Manchester?

It depends on where the roof is: in Greater Manchester that's Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Wigan Council and 7 other councils. 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.

What's the difference between a drip trim and an edge trim?

An edge trim finishes the edge of the roof and holds the waterproofing down. A drip trim has a profile that throws water clear into the gutter. On many roofs a single trim does both jobs.

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.

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.

Everything about edge trims, outlets and drainage → · All flat roofing in Greater Manchester →

Get a fixed price for your flat roof

Free survey and a written fixed quote for replacement and new roofs. No obligation.

Call usGet a guide price