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leaky glass sunroom

case4 | Posted in General Discussion on March 4, 2008 06:42am

Hi,

I’ve come over from CT. Question if I may …. We have a glass sunroom that leaks at the roof, in different spots inconsistently (9 glass panels). It was installed by the previous owner and is probably 15+years old. It is a great sunny play space for the kids. The company that installed the sunroom no longer exists. The one sunroom installation company in town will not come out to look at it. I’d be happy to just take the whole thing down and add on permanently. We will need to redo the whole roof in 1-2 years and I was hoping my DH will be able to put a regular roof on the sunroom then. We want to “get by” for the next year or two as is (the kids are small and finances are tight until I’m back at work more). I don’t care if the glass roof is clear or covered over. Is there, say, a plastic like substance that I could paint on the glass roof panels to stop the leaks? (like the tar stuff for basic roof repair) TIA

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Replies

  1. ChicagoMike | Mar 04, 2008 08:34am | #1

    It would be almost impossible to seal all of the leaks. I would look into that clear corrugated plastic roofing sheets. I think they sell it at the Depot. That should get you by.

     

    "It is what it is."

    1. case4 | Mar 04, 2008 05:04pm | #3

      Thanks for your suggestion, I think that is what we'll do for now.

  2. frenchy | Mar 04, 2008 04:03pm | #2

    case4

      Nonsense!

      Glass sunrooms can and are free of leaks if properly installed and maintained!  Like anything else you need to know what you are doing and do it properly.  This is not a place where you can squirt some sealant on top and call it fixed..

      If you have leaks and you want them repaired you will need someone who does this professionally not some handyman.

      Replacing that area with an add on will probably cost at a minimum more than $150 per sq.ft.  

      

    1. case4 | Mar 04, 2008 05:15pm | #4

      When we bought the house, in the summer, almost three years ago, we didn't know it leaked until the fall. The problem is I can't find a sunroom installer/professional to even look at it. I took pictures of it to a glass installer, he said even replacing the panels may not solve the leaks. The quote he gave me, just by looking at the pictures (no measurements or assessments) was over $1000. To be honest, I felt he did not want the job. Thanks for your help.

      1. danski0224 | Mar 04, 2008 05:21pm | #5

        To be honest, I felt he did not want the job

        Would you take a leak repair job attempting to fix someone elses work and then guarantee it?

        I wouldn't, either... unless I could pinpoint the how and why of the leak.

        It may be impossible to get the panels apart without destroying them.

        1. case4 | Mar 04, 2008 08:04pm | #9

          It may be impossible to get the panels apart without destroying them.

          Yes, I think that is the main point. Thanks.

           

  3. User avater
    IMERC | Mar 04, 2008 05:41pm | #6

    can you post a pic that's dialup friendly of the suspect area(s)???

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!
    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  4. User avater
    popawheelie | Mar 04, 2008 05:49pm | #7

    I've run into stuff like this where contractors don't want to mess with it or I don't want to spend a lot on it.

    Either way you need to change your approach.

    How about if you take on one leaky panel? Could you try that? Try one and see if you or a glass guy can fix it.

  5. dovetail97128 | Mar 04, 2008 07:13pm | #8

    Information Please.

    Who is the manufacturer?

    Where is it leaking? High up against the house, or at the wall /roof intersection?

    Is there more than one long glass panel in each of the overhead sections?

    Is this sunroom wood or metal framed?

    Does the exterior have metal flashing that covers the supports?

    Does the flashing (if it exists) have visible fasteners placed into it?

    It isn't the glass that is leaking . The leaks are from the perimeter of the glass where the mullion caps (dividing strips between the glass panels)are. Many of these manufactured rooms a tape to seal, some used caulks, some used the pressure of the metal on the glass itself.

    If it is at the wall/roof intersection it is possible the room had internal weep holes that are now blocked by debris.

    They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
    1. case4 | Mar 04, 2008 08:15pm | #10

      Thanks, you've brought up some good points. We don't know the manufacturer. The leaks seem to be in different spots. Yes, I believe the leaks are between where the glass meets the seal. There are 9 long panels (3 in each row) approximately 5ft long by 2ft wide. Metal frame. Where it joins the house is right under the eave, so it doesn't look like there is flashing. DH is going to check it out this w/e. Thanks

      1. dovetail97128 | Mar 04, 2008 08:26pm | #11

        Most likely if this unit is about 15 years old then the mullion covers are of the "snap lock" variety. That means that when the unit is assembled the cap is pushed down over the mullion and snaps in place. Under the mullion cover there is likely to be a soft rubber like gasket (EPDM generally) that has ribs that press down on the glass and is itself pressed into the mullion cover. This link has picture of what I am talking about:http://www.conservationtechnology.com/downloads/TimberGlazingSections.pdf Here is another that has DIY stuff.:http://www.abundantenergyinc.com/ With some investigation you may be able to repair what you have with off the shelf parts from a solarium supplier.
        They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

        1. VaTom | Mar 04, 2008 09:49pm | #12

          Dovetail's heading you in the right direction, particularly Conservation Technology.  Their techs are great. 

          Unlikely it's their system that's leaking on you, incredibly expensive and likely worth the money.  But they will have extensive knowledge of cheaper systems and how best to re-seal them.

          They got me squared away with a large translucent panel installation that the manufacturer had used cases of silicone caulk on, trying to fix leaks.  I avoided the butyl sealer they'd used (Conservation Technology tech said flat out that it would leak, but they'd sell it to me if I insisted) and went with something different.  No leaks, no silicone caulk.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

        2. case4 | Mar 05, 2008 03:38am | #13

          Wow! Thanks for the links. I'll check into it. Cheers

          1. dovetail97128 | Mar 05, 2008 03:46am | #14

            I don't know where on the west coast you are but I googled "Solariums" and got a bunch of west coast outlets and dealers, manufacturers. You might be able to identify yours by going through the various manufacturers who have websites.
            They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

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