VELUX Window Installers › Porthcawl › Guide
A stain on the lining or drips from a roof window are easy to blame on the window itself. In practice the glass is seldom the problem. In Porthcawl, with rain driven sideways up the roof by sea wind, the weak point is usually the detail around the frame. This guide goes through the common causes and how we trace them.
Flashing that does not suit the roof
Every roof window needs a flashing kit matched to the roof covering, whether it is plain tile, interlocking concrete tile or slate. A kit for the wrong covering, one that has lifted, or one that has been bent or cut about over the years will let water run under it. This is the commonest cause on older conversions around Nottage and Newton.
Sealing and age
Seals around the frame and between the flashing and the roof covering perish with sun, salt and frost. They shrink, crack and pull away. Fresh sealant on top can be a short-lived fix if the flashing underneath is the real fault. We look at what is actually holding the water out before recommending sealant alone. A bead of sealant that looks neat from inside the room may have nothing behind it outside.
Condensation that looks like a leak
Droplets running down the lining can be condensation, not rain. Warm, damp air in a loft bedroom or bathroom meets a cold frame and turns to water. Poor insulation or vapour control around the opening makes it worse. Misting between the panes is different again, and points to a failed sealed unit.
- Water only on the room side of the glass
- Worse in cold weather and after showers
- Damp lining but dry roof timbers
- Eases when the room is better ventilated
The roof around the window
Sometimes the window is fine and the tiles around it are not. Cracked or slipped tiles, blocked gutters that back water up, or moss pushing water sideways towards the opening can all end at the window. Seafront exposure makes these faults show up quicker. We check the covering above and beside the frame as well as the window itself.
- Slipped or cracked tiles above the window
- Moss or debris channelling water towards the frame
- Gutters overflowing just below the window
- Lead or flashing around nearby chimneys
How we trace it
We start inside, looking at the lining, the reveal and any stained timber, then check from outside using safe access. We work out whether it is flashing, sealing, condensation or the covering, and explain what we found before suggesting a repair. If the window is old and the flashing has failed, replacement may be the sensible answer. Planning or Building Regulations checks may apply, and we advise before work starts.
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Common Questions
Should I seal around the window myself?
No. Working on a roof is dangerous, and sealant on its own rarely fixes a flashing fault. Look from inside for stains and damp, put a bowl down and call us so we can find where the water is really getting in.
How do I tell a leak from condensation?
Condensation is on the room side of the glass and frame, and shows up in cold, damp conditions. A leak tends to follow rain and stains the lining or timber around the opening. If you are unsure, we can check.
Is a leaking roof window always a sign it needs replacing?
No. Many leaks come from sealing, a lifted flashing or tiles nearby, and can be put right without a new window. If the window and flashing are both old and tired, replacement is worth discussing, and we will be honest.
Get a Quote in Porthcawl
Tell us what the roof is doing in Porthcawl and we will look at it. Call 07766 547309, message us on WhatsApp or use the form below.