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.