Month: February 2024

Five Common Reasons Why Your Conservatory Roof Is Leaking

Conservatories are great at adding extra space, providing additional light, and letting homeowners enjoy views of their garden more. However, they can be problematic when the roof starts leaking.

Here are some common reasons why your conservatory roof might be past its best. 

Limited lifespan

Conservatories have a limited life span, and after a certain number of years they start to deteriorate. 

Ones with glass or polycarbonate roofs typically last around 20 years, while people with solid and tiled roofs can expect theirs to be in good condition for 50 years. 

Homeowners might find that if they have bought a house with a conservatory attached, it might have been fitted in the 1980s and 1990s when they became really popular. This makes them 40 to 50 years old, which means a conservatory roof replacement is definitely on the cards. 

Wear and tear

A huge number of conservatories are made with polycarbonate roofing panels. However, they deteriorate over the years thanks to wear and tear. 

This is likely to be quicker in areas where there are frequent storms and inclement weather conditions. 

After a while, the plastic will start to break down, and subsequently, the water will seep into the polycarbonate sheets and, eventually, into the conservatory. 

Poorly installed

If your conservatory was installed relatively recently, then the leaking is not due to wear and tear or age. 

Instead, the problem is likely to point at being installed incorrectly. This could mean that the joins between the framework do not seal properly with the roofing panels, which means water is able to get through.

Similarly, if the conservatory roof is not joined properly to the house due to incorrectly installed flashing, this could result in rain being able to leak through the roof into the building. 

It is essential that all the joints are properly sealed and connected to ensure there are no gaps in the structure. Otherwise, not only will it be susceptible to leaks, but it could become very cold as air will be able to easily enter.

Faulty guttering

Another cause of leaks is faulty or blocked guttering. These are designed to remove rainwater away from the roof, so if they are cracked or damaged in another way, they will not be doing their job properly. 

Therefore, water can pool on top of the roof, eventually seeping through to the house. Alternatively, if they have split, the water might run down the sides of the conservatory, getting in through the glass walls. 

Blocked gutters can also cause leaks, as water will accumulate on the roof if it is not able to drain away. Not only will this risk leaks, but it can also cause issues with damp and mould. 

Roof vents

Roof vents should be regularly checked as they are one of the most common reasons for leaks in conservatories. 

Although they are important to have, as they provide ventilation to the room, they can sometimes cause water to enter if the seals have worn away or the vents are not properly fitted. 

They are also subject to wear and tear, so if they have become old or faulty, there is a high chance that the conservatory will leak every time it rains.

How To Fix The Most Common Conservatory Regrets

Your home is the biggest investment you are likely to make in your life, and your conservatory is one of the biggest investments you are likely to make in your home.

With that in mind, there is a lot of pressure to ensure that an extension not only meets regulatory requirements but also meets your needs to be used for years to come and help boost the property value of your home.

That’s a lot of pressure and consideration to put into a single part of your home, and older conservatories in particular feature some unfortunately common issues that can lead to regrets on the part of homeowners, whether they organised its construction or bought the house later.

Some conservatory regrets cannot be fixed; whilst you can make the most of the space you have, you cannot make an extension any bigger without demolishing large parts of it. However, many common issues can be rectified with expert assistance and forethought.

Too Hot Or Too Cold

Whilst it is not the case that every single conservatory has temperature issues, complaints about searing heat in summer and frostbitten winters are so common that it has come to characterise an entire era of conservatory construction.

Modern conservatories tend to avoid this issue, and by using some of the techniques they use your conservatory can be fixed as well.

Improving insulation, typically by replacing the thin glass with double glazing, will stop heat getting out in winter and heat getting in over the summer, particularly if paired with a protective anti-UV coating.

Replacing a glass or clear plastic roof with a solid one will also provide a lot of benefits, and installing roof blinds or curtains provides insulation if more conventional options are not available.

Too Bright 

Conservatories are designed to let in as much natural light as possible, and this can be something of a double-edged sword if you have a south-facing garden.

Whilst it allows a lot of daylight, it also means that you get a lot of glare as well, something that contributes to the conservatory getting very hot in winter, as well as being uncomfortable in its own right.

Many of the solutions that reduce heat getting in, such as roof blinds, anti-glare glass coatings and a solid roof, will help with glare issues as well.

Leaking Roof

Whilst two of the main issues concern hot and cold days, wet days can be just as frustrating if water seems to be seeping into the conservatory itself through the roof.

There are several causes for this, most of which relate to either damage to the flashing or the frames, a crack to one of the roof panels or issues with the seals and grouting surrounding a conservatory.

An expert can help to fix these without issues or delays, and this can be important as the sooner you act to resolve a leak, the greater your chance of avoiding mould, damp and mildew.

They can also explore whether such a roof is worth replacing in favour of a more efficient modern roof arrangement that can improve the overall conservatory experience.

The Importance Of Boxed Guttering On A Conservatory Roof

Homeowners who have a pitched conservatory roof that slopes down towards the house wall need to have a fully functional boxed gutter. 

A boxed gutter is typically an aluminium rectangular box that is connected to the side guttering on UPVC conservatories, ensuring the water from both roofs drains away from the house. However, with timber frame ones, these gutters are usually lined with lead. 

The water collected is then diverted to the downpipe, so the water runs away from the walls. 

Boxed guttering takes its name from being boxed in on all sides, making them watertight. 

Internally, the boxed gutter will be covered up by UPVC or wood to disguise it and keep the roof looking aesthetically pleasing. 

To find out more about the importance of boxed guttering by reading on. 

For water run off

Boxed gutters should be fitted to sloped conservatory roofs because they remove any excess water and ensure water drainage between the extension and the main house continues.

Although the pitched roof prevents water from pooling when it rains, it is also important that the water does not run down the sides of the house, as this could cause damp issues. 

Boxed gutters, therefore, collect the rainwater that falls between the walls of the conservatory and the main house, in order to prevent the water from splashing on to the walls. Over time, this could result in the brickwork becoming drenched, which could make the internal walls damp and mouldy. 

For bungalows, boxed gutters often take the rainwater from the house roof as well, helping to keep the entire property in better condition for longer.

The problem of leaking gutters

Having a leaking boxed gutter is almost as bad as not having any at all, as water can come out at any point of the appliance. 

If this is allowed to happen, the water can damage the plaster on the conservatory walls and it will likely need replacing and the wall repainting. 

Other problems that can occur due to boxed gutter leaks include pest infestations and rodents. 

It also makes those living in the house at risk of germs and viruses, as it creates a breeding ground for these. Therefore, fixing the leak could make everyone feel a lot healthier and physically fit. 

However, repairing a boxed gutter is not an easy job as it may involve the removal of conservatory roof panels to work out where the leak is coming from. 

If it is found, flashings can be fitted to the holes to prevent more leaks from occurring. 

It is essential that this is done properly, however, as simply putting silicone, roofing felt, fibreglass, bitumen or a waterproofer on to the problem areas is unlikely to solve the issue, and certainly will not stand the test of time. 

Homeowners will find that they will simply have to carry out repairs again as the leaks will reoccur, possibly worse the second time round.