wind coming through light fittings - any advice?

mumlady1

Wondering if there are any builders online who can offer advice or anyone who's had a similar issue.
Just had an extension built in December, with downlighters fitted in the ceiling which is sloped (highest point joins onto the house if that makes sense). Light fittings were deemed unsafe by the electrician & eventually replaced (very long story I won't bore you with). The problem now is that there is a VERY strong draught (not just a light breeze) blowing down each light fitting & into the room. If it just affected 1 light I wouldn't bother so much but there are 10 lights in 1 room & 6 in the bathroom so on windy days, the extension is freezing & the draughts affect the rest of the house!
I've already advised the builder but as I'm having other problems with him I don't have high hopes of him fixing this.
Does anyone have any idea how to fix this?

Johnandabby

Sounds like you have an air path from outside, along the roof and then through the lights.

Normally the roof would be constructed with timber rafters, with insulation boards sandwiched between. Timber battens over the top with tiles - sometimes with a ventilated space between the tiles and insulation. If the breather membrane hasn't been installed properly, and the insulation hasn't been fitted snuggly, you can get air penetrating in through the downlighters.

Even then, good quality fire rated downlighters with a tight fit on the underside of the plasterboard should significantly reduce air leakage, and it would only be some areas.

If it's a very strong draught across all rooms then likely to be a more significant issue. I would remove a few tiles to see what has been laid, and remove a downlighter to see what insulation is installed.

Did you see what it looked like before the plasterboard ceiling went up? Do you have any photos?

mumlady1

thanks for the reply. Unfortunately no, I don't have photos. The builder took lots of them as the work was in progress but we are now in dispute with him so no chance of getting photos or getting him to resolve the issue. From conversations with him as the building work was ongoing I think your diagnosis is correct and seems to be worse when the wind is blowing towards the house & obviously blowing right up under the roof (between the tiles & the ceiling). We have a lot of glass in the extension & a pitched roof so had to get extra insulation which means that there is no space behind the fire rated light fittings to add any covers or anything which might give an obvious solution.

Hintza

Downlighters need to be kept cool, but you need to stop the draught.

One of the best ways is some of the old ceramic plant pots with a hole in the top

Gastines3

Been down the flower pot route but you can buy the correct fire retardant covers,like a felt hat, if you are feeling wealthy.They are £6-7 each.

Johnandabby

Flower pot route wouldn't work if its a pitched roof with insulation between rafters asd there wouldn't be space to install. Really need to know how the roof is constructed and where the insulation is.

Do you have any detail drawings that were sent to Building Control or even a description. Did the Building Control Officer inspect the extension?