My house has a conservatory dating from (probably) the 60' or
thereabouts. The roof is wired glass (maybe 16 - 18" wide) on
aluminium glazing bars. It's always been clear that the whole thing
leaks but, of course, recent rains have shown it up for what it truly
is (!). Presumably the glazing bar seals are history.

We've only had the place 6 months and have been planning to replace
the whole conservatory probably next summer, when most of the
essentials have been done inside. Meanwhile, it would be good to do a
temporary fix on the leaks.

The top section of the glazing is screwed down and I expect (haven't
looked) that this compresses a seal onto the glass. Although in
principle, unscrewing these and putting a new rubber strip would be a
fairly minor job, I suspect that most of the screws will be solid and
corroded, so attempting a proper fix may cause more problems than it
solves. How would anyone rate my chances of getting a reasonable seal
with a bead of silicone along each side...or has anyone dealt with
this issue in another way?

Cheers

"GMM" wrote in message
...
My house has a conservatory dating from (probably) the 60' or
thereabouts. The roof is wired glass (maybe 16 - 18" wide) on
aluminium glazing bars. It's always been clear that the whole thing
leaks but, of course, recent rains have shown it up for what it truly
is (!). Presumably the glazing bar seals are history.

We've only had the place 6 months and have been planning to replace
the whole conservatory probably next summer, when most of the
essentials have been done inside. Meanwhile, it would be good to do a
temporary fix on the leaks.

The top section of the glazing is screwed down and I expect (haven't
looked) that this compresses a seal onto the glass.

The last glazing bars I looked at didn't have a proper seal.
They were like car sunroofs where some seepage was expected and the drips
ran down the "gutters" in the bar.
Like cars these can get blocked and the thing leaks in.
Have a look at the ends and you should be able to see and may be able to
clear any crap that's blocking them.

If you need a seal have a look at aluminium or sylglass (sp?) tape to stick
over the bar.

On May 2, 1:29*am, GMM wrote:
My house has a conservatory dating from (probably) the 60' or
thereabouts. *The roof is wired glass (maybe 16 - 18" wide) *on
aluminium glazing bars. *It's always been clear that the whole thing
leaks but, of course, recent rains have shown it up for what it truly
is (!). *Presumably the glazing bar seals are history.

We've only had the place 6 months and have been planning to replace
the whole conservatory probably next summer, when most of the
essentials have been done inside. *Meanwhile, it would be good to do a
temporary fix on the leaks.

The top section of the glazing is screwed down and I expect (haven't
looked) that this compresses a seal onto the glass. *Although in
principle, unscrewing these and putting a new rubber strip would be a
fairly minor job, I suspect that most of the screws will be solid and
corroded, so attempting a proper fix may cause more problems than it
solves. *How would anyone rate my chances of getting a reasonable seal
with a *bead of silicone along each side...or has anyone dealt with
this issue in another way?

Cheers


If you look at most glazing bars there are two aspects to keeping rain
out.

One is drainage channels. You need to keep these free of debris (moss
and stuff). Best way to clear out is the pressure washer.

(Greenhouses only have drainage channels and they don't leak.)

Then there are the seals. Early ones deteriorated with sunlight with
time.
Depending on the design,you might get replacements. Or you might be
able to put in a bead of silicon or similar instead.

But clear out the drainage channels first and see what happens.

Modern conservatories are multiple glazed and hence much more
comfortable than the single glazed ones of yore.

On May 2, 7:52*am, "dennis@home"
wrote:
"GMM" wrote in message

...

My house has a conservatory dating from (probably) the 60' or
thereabouts. *The roof is wired glass (maybe 16 - 18" wide) *on
aluminium glazing bars. *It's always been clear that the whole thing
leaks but, of course, recent rains have shown it up for what it truly
is (!). *Presumably the glazing bar seals are history.

We've only had the place 6 months and have been planning to replace
the whole conservatory probably next summer, when most of the
essentials have been done inside. *Meanwhile, it would be good to do a
temporary fix on the leaks.

The top section of the glazing is screwed down and I expect (haven't
looked) that this compresses a seal onto the glass.

The last glazing bars I looked at didn't have a proper seal.
They were like car sunroofs where some seepage was expected and the drips
ran down the "gutters" in the bar.
Like cars these can get blocked and the thing leaks in.
Have a look at the ends and you should be able to see and may be able to
clear any crap that's blocking them.

If you need a seal have a look at aluminium or sylglass (sp?) tape to stick
over the bar.

There are a number of tapes on the market that are mastic on a
backing, usually aluminium. I would go for this solution. Yes, there
should be drainage channels and it might be obvious where they are
blocked, but the mastic strip will IMO give you the temporary reprieve
you are looking for.

Rob

On 02/05/2012 01:29, GMM wrote:
My house has a conservatory dating from (probably) the 60' or
thereabouts. The roof is wired glass (maybe 16 - 18" wide) on
aluminium glazing bars. It's always been clear that the whole thing
leaks but, of course, recent rains have shown it up for what it truly
is (!). Presumably the glazing bar seals are history.

We've only had the place 6 months and have been planning to replace
the whole conservatory probably next summer, when most of the
essentials have been done inside. Meanwhile, it would be good to do a
temporary fix on the leaks.

The top section of the glazing is screwed down and I expect (haven't
looked) that this compresses a seal onto the glass. Although in
principle, unscrewing these and putting a new rubber strip would be a
fairly minor job, I suspect that most of the screws will be solid and
corroded, so attempting a proper fix may cause more problems than it
solves. How would anyone rate my chances of getting a reasonable seal
with a bead of silicone along each side...or has anyone dealt with
this issue in another way?

If you are replacing the conservatory soon, you only need a quick fix
and, unless the domestic authorities disagree, it does not really need
to look perfect. Clean the glass next to the gazing bars and apply
self-adhesive flashing tape across the tops of the bars and onto the
glass each side. It will be a quick, cheap and effective solution.

Colin Bignell

On May 2, 8:45*am, harry wrote:
On May 2, 1:29*am, GMM wrote:









My house has a conservatory dating from (probably) the 60' or
thereabouts. *The roof is wired glass (maybe 16 - 18" wide) *on
aluminium glazing bars. *It's always been clear that the whole thing
leaks but, of course, recent rains have shown it up for what it truly
is (!). *Presumably the glazing bar seals are history.

We've only had the place 6 months and have been planning to replace
the whole conservatory probably next summer, when most of the
essentials have been done inside. *Meanwhile, it would be good to do a
temporary fix on the leaks.

The top section of the glazing is screwed down and I expect (haven't
looked) that this compresses a seal onto the glass. *Although in
principle, unscrewing these and putting a new rubber strip would be a
fairly minor job, I suspect that most of the screws will be solid and
corroded, so attempting a proper fix may cause more problems than it
solves. *How would anyone rate my chances of getting a reasonable seal
with a *bead of silicone along each side...or has anyone dealt with
this issue in another way?

Cheers

If you look at most glazing bars there are two aspects to keeping rain
out.

*One is drainage channels. You need to keep these free of debris (moss
and stuff). Best way to clear out is the pressure washer.

(Greenhouses only have drainage channels and they don't leak.)

Then there are the seals. *Early ones deteriorated with sunlight with
time.
Depending on the design,you might get replacements. *Or you might be
able to put in a bead of silicon *or similar instead.

But clear out the drainage channels first and see what happens.

Modern conservatories *are multiple glazed and hence much more
comfortable than the single glazed ones of yore.

I can't really see anything that looks like it should drain but, as
you suggest, a good blast with a pressure washer can't do it any harm
(famous last words) Then at least I'll have a clean surface to get
something to stick to.

I'm not sure I fancy try to change the seals, as mentioned above: You
could pretty much guarantee a number of the screws would strip and
then I'll be worse off. I still rather fancy a bead of silicone each
side compared with many rolls of flashing tape, which would have to be
pretty wide to clear the bars and stick down.