Projects 4 Roofing Blog | Conservatory Roof Conversion

How to fix your conservatory's leaking roof

Written by Clare Whitehall | Oct 11, 2024

If you’re a house proud conservatory owner, there’s nothing worse than a leaking roof every time it rains. 

Leaking conservatory roofs can be a significant source of stress and frustration. 

Instead of your conservatory being a tranquil space for relaxing, a leaky roof can make spending time in your conservatory a headache.

 A leaking conservatory roof can also bring risks to your health and safety. 

When water leaks through your conservatory roof, you’re more likely to suffer from condensation, dampness, and mould. This can cause health problems, especially if you have someone in your family who suffers from respiratory issues. 

And if you have electrical sockets in your conservatory, leaking water from the roof poses an obvious safety concern. 

So, acting quickly is important if you’re suffering from a leaking conservatory roof. 

In this post, we’ll look at the best way to fix your leaking roof permanently.

 



Why do conservatories leak?


Before 2010, most conservatories were built with either glass roofs or polycarbonate roofs. This was down to the building regulations at the time, which required all conservatories to have translucent roofs. 

And while glass and polycarbonate roofs are lightweight and great for letting in plenty of sunlight, they come with a variety of drawbacks.

One of those drawbacks is the tendency to leak. 

Most glass and polycarbonate conservatory roofs are made from multiple panels and held together by seals. The common reasons for traditional conservatory roofs leaking are the panels slipping or the seals breaking. 

If one of your conservatory panels slips, it can leave a gap between panels that allows rain to leak into your conservatory. And when the seals between each of your panels break down over time (as they have a tendency to do) this can also lead to water leaking into your conservatory. 

Another potential reason for a leaking conservatory roof is the deterioration of your polycarbonate panels. The UV rays from the sun can cause a chemical reaction with polycarbonate, making it brittle over time. This can make it prone to hairline cracks, which can let in water during periods of bad weather.

 


Fix your conservatory’s leaks for good


If you’re the green-fingered type, you get to watch your garden blossom into life. If you have a traditional glass or polycarbonate roof, you’ll probably already be familiar with the frustrations of a leaking conservatory roof. 

You might even have implemented some of the standard makeshift solutions for roof leak repair:

  • Resealing the joins between panels
  • Taping up hairline cracks with duct tape
  • Trying to reposition or replace slipped panels

All of these approaches can provide a temporary fix for a leaking conservatory roof, but they aren’t a long term solution. They don’t address the root cause of the issue - the fact that traditional conservatory roof materials are always prone to leaks. 

If you’re fed up of dealing with recurring leaks in your conservatory, it might be time to consider a more permanent solution. 

Our recommendation would be to replace your traditional conservatory roof with a solid roof. This might seem like quite a big undertaking, but the benefits of a solid roof conservatory extend far beyond putting an end to that pesky leak.




Why replace my conservatory roof?


Changes to building regulations in 2010 made it possible to install a solid roof on your conservatory. 

Installing a solid conservatory roof has a variety of benefits.

  • An end to your leaking roof: when you say goodbye to your glass or polycarbonate roof, you say goodbye to the frustrations of a leaking roof once and for all. A solid, insulated conservatory roof ensures that your conservatory stays dry, comfortable, and leak-free all year round.

  • Reduced energy and heating bills: when you choose a solid conservatory roof, you can reduce your heating bills considerably. 

    Traditional glass or polycarbonate roofs are not thermally efficient. They allow a lot of heat to escape through your roof in winter. 

    The insulation in a solid roof is incredibly energy efficient and helps you maintain a comfortable temperature in your conservatory during the cold winter months without putting the heating on full blast.

  • A room you can enjoy all year round: if you’ve currently got a glass or polycarbonate conservatory, you’ll not only understand how cold it can get in winter - but how unbearably hot it can get in summer! 
    The roof structure and insulation of a solid roof also prevent the sun’s heat from streaming into your conservatory during summer. So you’re able to enjoy your conservatory without any extremes of temperature all year round.

  • Less external noise: the superior insulation of a solid roof conservatory can help dampen external noise, so you can enjoy the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere of your conservatory without being bothered by the sound of the rain or your next-door neighbours.

  • Add value to your home: installing a solid roof conservatory can add value to your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Not only will people be impressed by a conservatory that they can use all year round comfortably, but they are also likely to appreciate the energy-saving benefits of an insulated roof.

 

 

How can I replace my conservatory roof?

If you're suffering from a leaking conservatory roof, you're not alone. It happens to many homeowners with a glass or polycarbonate conservatory roof. 

But just because it’s common, it doesn’t mean it’s something you should ignore. The frustrations and stress that come with a leaking roof can spoil your enjoyment of your conservatory and can even pose a risk to your health and safety. 

The good news is that there is a permanent solution to your leaking conservatory roof  - replacing your traditional conservatory roof with a Guardian Warm Roof

By making the change to a solid conservatory roof, you can say goodbye to leaks, and hello to a comfortable year-round living space that benefits from reduced energy bills and a reduction in external noise. 

At Projects4Roofing, we have over a decade of expertise in helping families turn their unused conservatories into their new favourite room. 

Curious? Take a look at some of our previous projects

If you’d like to join our happy customers and put an end to your leaking roof, just give us a call. It’s time to start enjoying your conservatory again!