- Guide price
- £110–£330
- Repair price
- Confirmed once the leak or damage is found
- Condition survey report
- £140–£280
- Coverage
- England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Northumberland at a glance
- Largest towns
- Blyth, Cramlington, Ashington, Bedlington
- Postcode areas
- NE
- Building control
- Northumberland County Council
- Neighbouring areas
- Tyne and Wear · County Durham · North Yorkshire · Cumbria
- Guide price region
- North East (−7% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a new roof edge or outlet cost in Northumberland?
Guide prices including VAT at North East rates. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Outlet or drainage repair | £110–£330 |
| Localised patch repair | £140–£470 |
| Upstand or flashing repair | £230–£600 |
| Emergency temporary weatherproofing visit | £170–£420 |
| Condition survey and leak investigation | £140–£280 |
Which flat roofs are common in Northumberland?
Flat roofs in Northumberland sit on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms, low-rise post-war blocks of flats and shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats. England averages roughly 870 mm of rain a year; the North East is drier than the west but cold and windy near the coast, so wind uplift and freeze-thaw are in the specification. 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 Northumberland the application goes to Northumberland County Council. 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.
Do flat roofs need overflows?
Roofs that drain to internal outlets or behind parapets should normally have an overflow, so that if an outlet blocks, water spills somewhere visible instead of rising over the upstands and into the building.
An overflow is usually a spout or weir set through the parapet or kerb at a level below the top of the upstands. When water runs from it, that is a sign the main outlet is blocked or overloaded. On a simple roof that drains over a drip trim into an external gutter, the open edge itself does the same job.
We look at where the water goes in heavy rain, how many outlets the roof has for its size, and whether the outlets, hoppers and downpipes are clear and properly connected. Leaf guards on outlets help on roofs near trees, as long as they are cleared regularly.
Which towns in Northumberland do we cover?
Edge trims, outlets and drainage in Northumberland: questions
Which towns in Northumberland do you cover?
All of Northumberland. 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 Northumberland?
£110–£330 for an outlet or drainage repair, at North East 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 Northumberland?
It depends on where the roof is: in Northumberland that's Northumberland County 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.
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.
Can a flat roof be re-laid with better falls?
Yes, as part of a replacement. Falls are corrected with tapered firring pieces under a new deck or with tapered insulation in a warm roof build-up.
How often should flat roof outlets be cleared?
At least once a year, ideally in autumn after the leaves fall, and more often for roofs under trees. A quick check after heavy storms is also worthwhile.
Everything about edge trims, outlets and drainage → · All flat roofing in Northumberland →