Leak above Velux window

spud

Hi all,
value your opinion on this evidence of a leak just above an upstairs velux window. House is 12 years old. This has been evident the past few years and got slowly worse. About 6 inches wide, doesn’t feel damp, no other signs of leaks anywhere else and all tiles above the window look fine (could stick my head outside and check flashing etc). So nothing obvious. Any thoughts before I start to hack a piece of ceiling out? 

Many thanks. 

grumpy_codger

There is no point in "hacking a piece of ceiling out". Most likely, the problem is with tiles and with the flashing kit surrounding the window under the tiles. The leak can be anywhere above the window. Then water is intercepted by the felt or membrane and reaches the flashing that is supposed to direct it around the window

Mr.Generous

Yes, what grumpy said, flashing. I saw the exact same leak where a velux was fitted with a slate flashing kit on a tile roof.

victor2

grumpy_codger said:

There is no point in "hacking a piece of ceiling out". Most likely, the problem is with tiles and with the flashing kit surrounding the window under the tiles. The leak can be anywhere above the window. Then water is intercepted by the felt or membrane and reaches the flashing that is supposed to direct it around the window

^^This^^

We have a similar issue, although not as serious. In heavy rain (and I think with the wind in a less common direction) we get water coming through/round the velux frame. I've had a roofer look into it and he couldn't find anything wrong, but applied some sealant, which did reduce the problem.

I suspect it would be a major operation to track it down and eliminate it. So far, on an 8 year old build, it hasn't become serious enough a problem to justify that.

spud

victor2 said:

grumpy_codger said:

There is no point in "hacking a piece of ceiling out". Most likely, the problem is with tiles and with the flashing kit surrounding the window under the tiles. The leak can be anywhere above the window. Then water is intercepted by the felt or membrane and reaches the flashing that is supposed to direct it around the window

^^This^^

We have a similar issue, although not as serious. In heavy rain (and I think with the wind in a less common direction) we get water coming through/round the velux frame. I've had a roofer look into it and he couldn't find anything wrong, but applied some sealant, which did reduce the problem.

I suspect it would be a major operation to track it down and eliminate it. So far, on an 8 year old build, it hasn't become serious enough a problem to justify that.

Thanks for all replies. Any idea where he applied the sealant? 

victor2

spud said:

victor2 said:

grumpy_codger said:

There is no point in "hacking a piece of ceiling out". Most likely, the problem is with tiles and with the flashing kit surrounding the window under the tiles. The leak can be anywhere above the window. Then water is intercepted by the felt or membrane and reaches the flashing that is supposed to direct it around the window

^^This^^

We have a similar issue, although not as serious. In heavy rain (and I think with the wind in a less common direction) we get water coming through/round the velux frame. I've had a roofer look into it and he couldn't find anything wrong, but applied some sealant, which did reduce the problem.

I suspect it would be a major operation to track it down and eliminate it. So far, on an 8 year old build, it hasn't become serious enough a problem to justify that.

Thanks for all replies. Any idea where he applied the sealant? 

Sorry, I'm not sure. I think he lifted some tiles around the frame and put sealant round the edge. Don't even know what the sealant was, just something he carried in his van as a roofer.