Hi All,
I have a few niggles bugging me about my new conservatory (purchased, fully paid and fitted in Oct/Nov 2017) from a local well established company who supply and fit and they seem to have all the certifications I would expect from a reputable company.
In December 2017, I reported a leak down the inside wall of the conservatory - quick response was received, were the fitters returned a couple of days later and used silicone between the frame and render throughout the whole frame from the inside.
In January 2018, I see a dribble in one of the corners of the conservatory - So called them again and got a quick response, fitters came out and removed the PVC trimming and about 1litre of water gushed out from behind. The fitters , the manager and a senior fitter - On inspection they found water dripping through the nuts and bolts of the frame. - So the removed the glass panels and used silicone all the way round which did not stop the dribble. -Which left them scratching their heads on what the problem could be.
http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=310940&stc=1&d=1520500111
My background before I continue - I am an internal ISO 9001 quality inspector and Metrologist who specialises in troubleshooting measurement variation and measurement uncertainty. I could compile a report using calibrated tools as my disposal so that measurements are traceable to international standards and SI Units as just by looking at the fitment I can confirm they measured from the render rather than the brickwork of the house so when the frame was manufactured rather than having a product that is 5mm ± 2mm gap, the gap is 15mm ± 5mm gap, which I can do before I escalating.
My opinion regarding this problem was that the source was the original source I reported back in December 2017 and had a suspicion that the leak was being re-directed to the frame and due to a capillary effect and laws of gravity the water was running along the frame and through the nuts, to confirm this I used a hose and sprayed water in to the air and the wall of the house to confirm my suspicion- As I expressed my opinion to the manager he replied with I shouldn't be spraying in to the frame and the rubber gasket above the glass, which I was quite offended by as this indicated he was suggesting I was making this up and making a problem when there wasn't one.
So after a couple of weeks of head scratching and waiting for nature to run its course (waiting for a rainy day) - a definitive confirmation of water running in to the house enabled me to call the company and ask them to return for them to see for themselves to which they agreed there is water behind the leading and confirmed the leading will need to be re-done.
They came out yesterday (07/03/2018) replaced 1 side of the leading and reworked the other side. What I mean by re-work is, peeled back the lead cut deeper in to the render (not sure is they cut in to the block work behind the render) and re-cemented the leading to the render. I specifically asked them to remove the silicone between the conservatory and the house so I can keep an eye out for any more leaks.
The Leading:
http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=310942&stc=1&d=1520500111
http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=310944&stc=1&d=1520500111
The reason I am asking for advice is, it's left a really sour taste from this experience and now the quality inspector inside of me, could be being pedantic because this is not my area of expertise. My question is should there be a 15-20mm gap between the frame and the house? They advertise on their website that conservatories are energy efficient without compromising on the homes warmth which is why I when down the route of a new conservatory (to replace an existing one - which IMO was warmer and did not leak) instead of doing an extension. Cost wise it would have been about the same because I paid extra for Pilkington Activ™ Blu glass as well as having every window and door replaced to reduce energy bills.
The Gap:
http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=310948&stc=1&d=1520500111
http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=310946&stc=1&d=1520500111
I would really appreciate advice and how I should proceed. - I have arranged a meeting at my house to discuss with the manager my concerns but I would like to be more informed about quality standards and workman ship standards for conservatories.
Many thanks in advance.
Nas
I have a few niggles bugging me about my new conservatory (purchased, fully paid and fitted in Oct/Nov 2017) from a local well established company who supply and fit and they seem to have all the certifications I would expect from a reputable company.
In December 2017, I reported a leak down the inside wall of the conservatory - quick response was received, were the fitters returned a couple of days later and used silicone between the frame and render throughout the whole frame from the inside.
In January 2018, I see a dribble in one of the corners of the conservatory - So called them again and got a quick response, fitters came out and removed the PVC trimming and about 1litre of water gushed out from behind. The fitters , the manager and a senior fitter - On inspection they found water dripping through the nuts and bolts of the frame. - So the removed the glass panels and used silicone all the way round which did not stop the dribble. -Which left them scratching their heads on what the problem could be.
http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=310940&stc=1&d=1520500111
My background before I continue - I am an internal ISO 9001 quality inspector and Metrologist who specialises in troubleshooting measurement variation and measurement uncertainty. I could compile a report using calibrated tools as my disposal so that measurements are traceable to international standards and SI Units as just by looking at the fitment I can confirm they measured from the render rather than the brickwork of the house so when the frame was manufactured rather than having a product that is 5mm ± 2mm gap, the gap is 15mm ± 5mm gap, which I can do before I escalating.
My opinion regarding this problem was that the source was the original source I reported back in December 2017 and had a suspicion that the leak was being re-directed to the frame and due to a capillary effect and laws of gravity the water was running along the frame and through the nuts, to confirm this I used a hose and sprayed water in to the air and the wall of the house to confirm my suspicion- As I expressed my opinion to the manager he replied with I shouldn't be spraying in to the frame and the rubber gasket above the glass, which I was quite offended by as this indicated he was suggesting I was making this up and making a problem when there wasn't one.
So after a couple of weeks of head scratching and waiting for nature to run its course (waiting for a rainy day) - a definitive confirmation of water running in to the house enabled me to call the company and ask them to return for them to see for themselves to which they agreed there is water behind the leading and confirmed the leading will need to be re-done.
They came out yesterday (07/03/2018) replaced 1 side of the leading and reworked the other side. What I mean by re-work is, peeled back the lead cut deeper in to the render (not sure is they cut in to the block work behind the render) and re-cemented the leading to the render. I specifically asked them to remove the silicone between the conservatory and the house so I can keep an eye out for any more leaks.
The Leading:
http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=310942&stc=1&d=1520500111
http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=310944&stc=1&d=1520500111
The reason I am asking for advice is, it's left a really sour taste from this experience and now the quality inspector inside of me, could be being pedantic because this is not my area of expertise. My question is should there be a 15-20mm gap between the frame and the house? They advertise on their website that conservatories are energy efficient without compromising on the homes warmth which is why I when down the route of a new conservatory (to replace an existing one - which IMO was warmer and did not leak) instead of doing an extension. Cost wise it would have been about the same because I paid extra for Pilkington Activ™ Blu glass as well as having every window and door replaced to reduce energy bills.
The Gap:
http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=310948&stc=1&d=1520500111
http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=310946&stc=1&d=1520500111
I would really appreciate advice and how I should proceed. - I have arranged a meeting at my house to discuss with the manager my concerns but I would like to be more informed about quality standards and workman ship standards for conservatories.
Many thanks in advance.
Nas