Conservatory Repair: Problems and How to Fix Them

There are a range of conservatory repairs that might need to be carried out. If your conservatory is older or you’ve experienced extreme weather, you might have problems with broken glass panels, leaks, or misted units. For older conservatories, you might simply want a renovation of parts of your conservatory.

Common conservatory repairs

Common conservatory repairs include:

• Replacement conservatory roof
• Repairs to conservatory roof panels
• Sealed unit replacement
• Roof vents installation
• Investigation of leaks and leak repairs
• Repairs of joints and gutters
• Replacement locks, hinges and handles
• Replacement of leadwork including flashings and valleys

Conservatory roof repairs

If your conservatory roof leaks, you’ll need to find a specialist to figure out where the leak is coming from and repair it. Common reasons for a leaking conservatory roof include a leading box gutter, slipped or poorly fitted roof panels, skylight leaks, leaks between roof panels and around valley gutters.

In most cases, you don’t need to get the whole roof replaced. Most leak problems can be repaired, which will save you thousands of pounds.

Slipped conservatory roof panels

If you have a polycarbonate roof, it’s not uncommon to find that the panels slip over time. When panels slip, these often cause draughts and leaks. When a roof panel has slipped, there will usually be a gap at the top but it’s also possible for them to move to one side too.

Panels slip for a number of reasons. It could be that the conservatory is older and wear and tear mean that end caps have broken or fallen off, or it could be that there has been extreme temperatures or high wind.

Whatever the reason for panels slipping, they will be more likely to slip again in the future if you don’t secure them properly. If you just push them back to where they should be, you’ll experience the same problem again in the future.

Leaking skylights

Conservatory roof vents or skylights are a lovely feature than can help you to maintain a comfortable temperature in the conservatory. These allow heat to escape on warm summer days. As your conservatory ages, leaks can happen. The reason behind this could be the roof moving or perishing gaskets – or both. Also, skylights have drainage channels that can get blocked with debris like moss or leaves. Don’t try to save money and repair the leak with silicone sealant from the side as this will just trap leaking water in the frame.

Box gutter leaks

Conservatory box gutters are installed to take rainwater off the roof to stop it splashing on the house. On uPVC conservatories, box gutters are usually made of aluminium and connect to the guttering with an adapter. With a timber conservatory, you’ll usually have a lead-lined box gutter. Inside, these will match the conservatory material and be clad in wood or uPVC.

When the box gutter tray has leaks, you might see water dripping from the middle or the end. These leaks can lead to lots of damage to floors and walls so it’s best to get repairs done as soon as possible.

Box gutter leaks are typically caused by:

• Poor box gutter installation
• Deterioration of flashings
• Blockages in the gutters
• Joints breaking down
• Poor tile coverage
• Workers standing on the roof

Leaking glazing bars

These bars are often required when roof panels need to be longer. The role of the bars is to join two sections of the roof together with a silicone sealant strip. As conservatory roofs age, silicone deteriorates which means water can leak through. When bars leak it can be hard to determine where the leak is originating because the water often travels at random over the roof

Valley gutter leaks

When two sections of a pitched conservatory roof meet there will be a gulley for draining rainwater. With a uPVC conservatory, this will be aluminium while on a timber conservatory it will be lead. You can tell when a valley gutter is leaking as you’ll notice water pooling or dripping on the windowsill that is below the gutter’s lowest point. You might also see damp internal walls where the valley gutter and ridge meet.

The causes of valley gutter leaks are often due to:

• Internal valley cladding damage
• Debris and moss build up
• Cracks in the valley gutter
• The valley gutter moving away from the wall
• A poor installation
• Wood rotting

Problems with conservatory doors and door frames

Just like any door that’s used frequently, a conservatory door will not last forever. If the door to your conservatory is looking worse for wear or has been damaged, it’s important to get it fixed before it causes further issues.

There are many different types of conservatory doors and many different available materials. Depending on your door type and material, repairs will cost different amounts. Even though door repairs might be expensive, it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible for security reasons – especially if you have a broken lock or a broken glass pane.

Even if you can still secure your conservatory door, its integrity could be compromised if it is seriously damaged, which would make it easier for intruders to enter. While cracked windows are unsightly to use, intruders love them!

A conservatory door repair might be as simple as replacing a handle or lock, but it might be that you need a replacement.

Replacing door frames

It’s possible to replace grubby uPVC door frames to improve your conservatory. You could replace them with modern uPVC or something more aesthetically pleasing like powder-coated aluminium, treated softwood or a durable hardwood.

Replacing conservatory glazing panels

Controlling the temperature of a conservatory is important and with the best conservatory glazing panels, you’ll be cool in summer and warm in winter. It’s not just about having good glass, however. The installation of the window is important too. If the seals fail, you’ll end up with extortionate heating bills in winter and sweltering temperatures in summer.

Double glazing failures also cause window panes to look cloudy. This happens because moisture gets trapped inside the two glass panes. While this is unsightly, the main problem is that your double glazing isn’t being effective.

Thankfully, it’s pretty straightforward to get window panes replaced. This means that only the faulty panes need to be replaced and the rest of the conservatory isn’t affected. The window frames aren’t affected so this is a cost effective way of fixing an annoying issue. Glass can be replaced like for like, so you’ll never know there was a problem at all.

If you however need the whole roof replacing, it would be worth looking at conservatory roof insulation as this can be a great addition when it comes to temperature control particularly if you use your conservatory during the colder months of the year.

Conservatory maintenance

Maintaining a conservatory well will extend its life by many years and it’s not too much trouble. Generally speaking, the supporting framework and conservatory sides won’t have many problems. The most frequent problems occur with the roof, but this usually happens with conservatories that are older than 10 years.

To extend a conservatory’s life and avoid common conservatory problems, it’s important to maintain it. A water leak will never right itself and water damage can be serious if the leak isn’t repaired quickly – which will cost more money. If the conservatory is made of timber, this is even more important.

It’s a good idea to check and clean your conservatory roof and gutters frequently. This is especially important during autumn and winter when there are leaves falling off trees or snowfall.

Reduce noise issues

When it’s raining conservatories can be noisy, especially if it has a polycarbonate roof. And if your bedroom happens to be above the conservatory, this can even keep you awake at night. If your conservatory doesn’t have double glazing, this can be a great way to solve your problem as double glazing can often block noise very well.

Improve and refurbish an ageing conservatory

If you have an older conservatory that you don’t want to replace completely, there are things you can do to improve its aesthetics and bring it more up-to-date.

• Replace existing glass with thermally-coated double or triple glazing or energy efficient windows
• Choose tinted glass or low-emissivity glass to protect from glare or overheating
• Install automated blinds in the room
• Choose a replacement conservatory roof
• Install vents that are automatic and work together with a thermostat for temperature control
• Install underfloor heating to help keep the conservatory warm in the winter
• Install a wood burner to create a nice atmosphere and an inviting space when it’s cold

Final thoughts on conservatory repair

If you’re experiencing conservatory problems whether that’s installing a new roof, fixing leaks, replacing windows and doors, glass or lead, most repairs and replacements for conservatories are cost-effective.

To ensure repairs are done to a high standard, always choose a reputable company that deals frequently with common conservatory problems. Speaking to previous customers is a good way of knowing if a company’s services are worth it. A great job means that your repairs will last a long time.

Finally, a conservatory is such an important room in your home, it’s worth maintaining it and getting things looked at immediately if you want it to retain its function and value.