The question of when winter ends and spring starts is a topical one at this time of year. Some prefer the astronomical definition of when the equinox arrives (which is March 20th this year – the earliest it can arrive because it’s a leap year), while others go with the Met Office definition of March 1st.
Whichever you choose may not matter, because the weather seldom plays ball at this time of year. This is not just a matter of climate change; it has often been the case that there can be very mild days as early as February and snow falling in March or even into April. This year, it seems to be wet all the time.
That might get you asking a few questions about when might be the right time to carry out some much-needed conservatory repairs, not least if the roof has a leak. Notwithstanding the capricious nature of the weather, spring is definitely the time to do it.
To begin with, if you have a leak in your conservatory roof that was not there last summer, the likely causes are weather effects of autumn and winter, which can include storm damage and freeze-thaw.
Since the Autumn equinox last September, the UK has been hit by no fewer than ten named storms. While the naming of storms over the British winter months is a new practice and therefore any ‘record number’ doesn’t mean much, it has certainly been a windier winter than most.
That means there were more opportunities for conservatories to be hit and damaged by flying or falling debris than in most winters. Occasionally, winds can be strong enough to cause damage on their own, such as the tornado that tore off roofs in the town of Stalybridge near Manchester in December as Storm Gerrit hit.
Whether damage is done by weather or other causes, any cracks in the glass can be widened by cold weather. This happens through the process of freeze-thaw, as the water gets into gaps, freezes and then widens the gap, as the ice expands.
It’s invaluable in releasing nutrients from rocks in nature, but bad news for cracked glass when the temperature drops below zero.
While not certain, it is likely the storms and freezing nights will soon be past, which is why the time is right to have the repair work done.
The other reason is simply because summer follows spring and while nobody knows if we will have a washout or a ‘barbecue summer’, the chances are there will at least be some days when you want to sit in the conservatory and enjoy relaxing in the sun. That will be easier if the space is not wet in places because it rained during the previous few days.
Conservatories are also places where you can create a microclimate for plants that enjoy being indoors. Damaged and leaky roofs can also let draughts in, which could mean it is colder in there than your plants will easily handle.
Because spring can often be wet, it is not quite a case of ‘fixing the roof when the sun shines’, but you can certainly get it in good shape for when the dry and warm days (however many of those we will get) finally do arrive.