Conservatories are great additions to houses as they can be used for a variety of purposes. They give extra space for people to get creative. You can have an outdoorsy dining room or a fun playroom for the kids. At the end of the day, they are beautiful extensions to our houses and they often add a significant value to the property.
However, we can oftentimes find leakage, which can later result in construction and electrical damages. Even a simple leak can create water patches that negatively impact the wall and electricity. This makes the conservatory roof an integral part that should be taken good care of. It is important to learn about the causes to remedy the problem as soon as possible.
Types of roof leaks include: damp, damp, and dripping. The first two are obvious, and can usually be found on damp or wet summer days. But dripping can also occur in the winter months when the roof is firmly packed with snow and not allowed to dry out between coats of ice freezing rain. This is a sign that your roof needs to be checked regularly for leaks, and paid attention to if any preventative measures are not implemented.
-
Conservatory Roof With Poor Installation
One key aspect you should not overlook is the faulty installation. This can be determined in the recent period after purchasing a conservatory. Incorrect installation by an inexperienced builder in which the panels do not meet the gutter or are cut short can cause leaks. The sooner you discover this, the quicker you can solve it. You will probably be within the warranty period, so make sure you save all your documents to get it fixed for free.
If the improper installation was the reason and you passed the warranty time, you can still be compensated by the company as they are still liable. They can repair or replace the unit. Another option can be using your home insurance to cover the damages.
On the other hand, many people love DIY conservatories. As great as it is to manually design a conservatory, it will not be like the one constructed by professionals. The installation process can go smoothly, but you may find a lot of issues later. On top of this is improper roof installation as the person lacks the experience and knowledge of the best materials to use.
-
Damaged Roof Seals
If you have polycarbonate panels or a tiled conservatory roof that is still intact, the seals surrounding them could have rusted and perished. This allows water to enter through the spaces. Once you detect this as the source of the issue, saving your conservatory roof will be an easy task. You can just release the panels and the issue will be solved. Remember to check all the other seals to prevent similar incidents from occurring too soon.
-
Weather Conditions
Simple wear and tear in addition to age deterioration are normal causes of leaks. Regardless of the structure of your conservatory, it will be more exposed to weather elements than your house.
This breeds issues such as debris, dust, and rust. While roofing panels are built from a durable and resistant material called polycarbonate or from strong glass that can endure harsh weather, the force can still be too strong to resist. Sometimes, cracks happen during storms and falling trees.
Heavy snow can compromise the roof structure and cause holes in it, resulting in dampness. Another factor can be the UV rays, which make polycarbonate roofs fragile. You should keep an eye out for any moldy parts because that is a good sign of leakage.
Read More: 8 Visible Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Roof
-
Clogged Gutters
Debris, dirt, and leaves can accumulate in the conservatory roof’s gutter. This results in the spilling of water over the gutter, and the excess water will fall over the rest of the conservatory structure or will not be directed away. So, more leaves and dust will gather at that site.
Leaving this issue for a while can cause several other problems, such as discolouration in the conservatory trim, cracks, and corrosion. The box gutter trim can also be damaged by this as the water runs behind it, not in front of it. In case your house is adjacent to the conservatory, the adjoining wall will suffer as well.
Having a conservatory is a delightful luxury many people love to have. It gives the house a more refined look. As time passes and weather changes, there are many things that can happen to the structure of conservatories, especially their roofs which are often made of glass, wood, and polycarbonate. Any leak in the roof is an indication that there is a crack or gap somewhere that needs to be looked at.
How to Fix a Leaking Conservatory Roof?
In order to fix a leaking conservatory roof, you will have to remove the excess water from the building. You should be prepared for the clean-up and replacement of the section of the roof that is damaged by water.
A leaking conservatory roof could be caused by a variety of issues and you should check your roof before coming up with any conclusions. For example, if the roof has been exposed to heavy rainfall, then it may have developed a leak due to poor sealing around its joints.
You can use a number of DIY methods such as tarping or caulking but these are often too expensive for most homeowners and professional repairing may be required in some cases where greater damage has been done.
It’s not always easy to find a leak in a large structure like a conservatory roof, but here are some steps that might help.
- Check for punctures within the roof
- Examine the water outside of the conservatory and along its edges
- Look for signs of moisture on internal wooden surfaces or any other visible cracks or holes
If left without repair, this can cause serious damages to the conservatory and your house if they are adjoined. As prevention is better than cure, you should contact a specialist upon detecting any issue. With the guide provided here, you can keep an eye out for common causes of leakage in your conservatory roof.