On Sat, 30 Oct 2004 14:59:19 +0000 (UTC), "keith"
wrote:

Please can you let me know what you would do here?
Moved into 8yr-old house last December. Found we got water dripping out of
the plasterboarded wall in conservatory above the house doors (see:
www.dulwich.net/conservatory/leak.jpg &
www.dulwich.net/conservatory/inside.jpg ) But ONLY after very strong rain
combined with wind. (We're in an exposed position & do get strong wind)

We've had the flashing replaced, and seemed ok, but we've just got the leak
back after this week's strong storm. Again, it doesnt leak when it's only
strong rain.

The flashing people reckon flashing is ok, but they pointed out that the
other windows have "weep vents" above them, which would also exist behind
the plasterboard above the conservatory doors. Also spotted that the house
wall is still soaking wet after storm with water coming out of wall above
damp course . So theory is that excess rain+strong wind makes bricks
porous & damp and water is soaking down through the bricks & coming out
vents !

Question - does this sound right?

Question: Possible fix "might be" to coat external wall with silicon - but
not sure if this woudl work or would last long or be invisble or be
affordable - any experience of this?

Seems like my first thing is to remove plasterboard, see if it is those
vents, and perhaps if I can make some sort of guttering above the door to
cary the water back out of the conservatory? Then consider if I have to use
silicon to protect the house..

Pictures on web site www.dulwich.net/conservatory show the insde of the
conservatory, the kitchen window, the view from the window, the leak & new
flashing.

Please can you let me have your views.
Thanks

Hi,

It could also be the wind blowing water behind the horizontal cuts in
the flashing if there is nothing sealing it to the brickwork. Some
sealer behind these areas between the lead and the brick might be
required if there is none.

Also repointing the wall and possibly applying silicone would be
helpful.

If there is water running down the inside face of the outside layer of
the cavity wall, the surest way to deal with it is stepped 'cavity
trays' above the flashing:

http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/cavities,cavity%20trays,%20lintels%20and%20insulat ion.htm
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/images/roofntrays.gif

If it's only a couple of drips maybe the plasterboard could be
replaced with something waterproof like a tilebacker such as
aquapanel, wedi board.

If you can get a leaf blower and hose the wall and flashing in
different places while blowing on it, that might reveal something (or
the neighbours will call the men in white coats!)

You'd probably also need a roofing ladder that can hook over the apex
of the conservatory, and boards to spread the weight, I'm no expert on
this though...

Maybe best to do the cheapest and easiest things first but don't get
disheartened if they don't work.

cheers,
Pete.