Leaking Roof Lantern

Latsie

18 months ago we had a new roof lantern fitted on our kitchen extension. Everything fine initially but now when we get a lot of rain, water seems to drop in one corner. It is now starting to damage the ceiling and I am worried about the electrics in the lights and also the new cupboards we have had fitted. Last night a few drips came down at the other end of the lantern. Our builder fitted the lantern so I don't actually know who the manufacturer was. I have messsaged him today but we did not leave on good terms.

Is there anyone out there who has had a similar experience to this?

Does this sound like more of a problem with the manufacturer or the installation from the builder?

Even though it was fitted 18 months presumably we have a warranty?

Can we get it inspected by someone?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

ANDY597

Presumably the lantern is in a flat roof extension, what type of roofing material was used?.

Most likely cause is that it hasnt been installed properly, water is pooling on your roof and then finding its way to the lowest point. Unlikely that a sealed lantern structure would fail so quickly in my humble opinion.

Did you agree and sign any contract with the builder? if so does it have a guarantee period in it ?

If you have a look on the yootoob under firestone epdm roof installation video, it shows roof lanterns being correctly "flashed" around to stop the water leaking in.

This is of course just an example with one roofing material, but the general concept is the same.

Do you have someone competent that could go up on the kitchen extension and go have a look?

Water damage is nasty and literally gets everywhere, so best fixed sooner than later, it will only get worse.

Latsie

Yes it is a flat roof extension. I'm sorry I don't know what roofing material was used. I did get a roofer to look at it that other day (whilst he was looking at our main roof) and he said generally speaking the kitchen extension and new roof itself seems to have been built soundly, but obviously it sounds like I have a problem with the installation of the lantern itself. I did sign a contract with the builder. I will check for the guarantee period, thank you for your help.

Presumably it is going to be difficult to get my builder to admit fault. I'm guessing I will need to get an inspection of some kind. I don't suppose you know about that side of things please. Thank you.

Aylesbury_Duck

Latsie wrote: »

Yes it is a flat roof extension. I'm sorry I don't know what roofing material was used. I did get a roofer to look at it that other day (whilst he was looking at our main roof) and he said generally speaking the kitchen extension and new roof itself seems to have been built soundly, but obviously it sounds like I have a problem with the installation of the lantern itself. I did sign a contract with the builder. I will check for the guarantee period, thank you for your help.

Presumably it is going to be difficult to get my builder to admit fault. I'm guessing I will need to get an inspection of some kind. I don't suppose you know about that side of things please. Thank you.

The first thing is to let the original builder look at it. If you let someone else look at/fiddle with it, you've given the builder an easy way out - "someone's meddled with it before I had a chance to correct it, nothing I can do now, bye." He can then diagnose the problem and you take it from there.

Hopefully it's something simple.

Latsie

Thank you both. If I can get him back.....we didn't leave on the best of terms unfortunately.

andrewf75

We had a very similar problem although it leaked through the lantern ridge so I contacted the lantern manufacturer and they came out free of charge to look at it and it just hadn’t been sealed properly. He sealed it and its been fine since.

Depends where yours is leaking from though, if where the lantern is fixed to the roof then that is surely down to the builder.

Latsie

Hopefully the fix will be as simple as your situation Andrewf45 although I've got a feeling I am in for some fun and games !!!

PurAsc

Even the best lantern will leak if it's inaccurately installed.
Reputable installers usually offer a 10-year guarantee.
It's also worth checking whether they are accredited by a double glazing and conservatory ombudsman scheme (e.g. DGCOS) because if they are you can access a free insurance backed guarantee, as well as free mediation and independent inspections to resolve disputes/product faults.

ANDY597

Some good replies there,


Id be tempted to pop up on the flat roof with a jug or a hose and see where its leaking through a process of elimination before deciding the way forward.

Latsie

I am currently waiting for the builder to come back to me.

The water seems to be coming in in two places. 1) One is right in the corner. I arranged for a roofer (whilst he was looking at the main roof which is unconnected) to go up there at the weekend and he seems to think if you stand under the window and eye the hip glazing it corresponds to the corner where water is coming in. He thinks water is coming in under the lantern somehow and tracking. If we don't stop it soon it's going to ruin our new ceiling and fitted cupboards. The roofer even suggested cutting a hole in the plasterboard ceiling for now so we can accurately identify where the water is coming from and collect the water in a bucket because at least the damp will not spread to the rest of our ceiling and damage the lights too.

2) On Monday night the water came down directly from the top of the lantern (just a few drops but obviously that's not the point).

As I say … we are still waiting for the builder to come back to us. In the contract (drawn up 2 years ago) it says "for 6 years after carrying out the work the builder will remain responsible for any faults in the work which are caused by him".

Latsie

Builder has come back to me and will take a look on Monday