A leaking roof window is rarely a glass problem. The cause is nearly always in the flashing, the seal, the lining or the roof covering around it.
When a roof window drips, most people blame the window. In practice the glass is seldom at fault. Water gets in at the flashing, the seals or the tiles around the frame, and what looks like a leak is sometimes condensation. On the modern roofs of Emersons Green the cause is usually found with a careful look.
Flashing and covering around the frame
A roof window sits in a flashing kit matched to the roof covering. If the flashing is badly fitted, lifted or damaged, or the tiles around it have slipped, water runs behind and into the opening. A loose tile or a poor junction at the top corner is a common culprit, and it shows up in heavy rain. We look at those first, because the tiles and flashing are the most common sources.
Seals and the window itself
The rubber seals and sealant around the sash can harden or shift over time and let water past. The sealed glass unit can also fail, which shows as misting between the panes. That is a separate problem to a leak, and it means the glass unit needs replacing, not the flashing. Ask for the glass unit to be checked, not just the frame.
Condensation that looks like a leak
Damp on the lining or drips from the frame may be condensation, especially in a bedroom or bathroom. Warm air meets a cold surface and water forms. Poor ventilation, a missing vapour control layer or thin insulation round the opening can make it worse. Telling the two apart matters, because the fixes are different. A damp towel test is not reliable, so we avoid guessing and check each possible cause in turn.
- Drips only in heavy or wind-driven rain suggest a flashing fault
- Damp that appears on cold mornings suggests condensation
- Misting between the glass panes means a failed sealed unit
- Staining at the top corner suggests a covering problem
How we trace it
We check the flashing, the tiles around the frame, the seals and the lining inside, and look in the loft for damp timbers and stained felt. Water can travel before it shows, so we follow it back. We then tell you plainly whether the answer is a repair, a new flashing kit or a new window. This is how we avoid replacing parts that were never at fault.
What not to do
Please do not go onto the roof or use a ladder against it to seal around the window yourself. A bead of sealant often hides the real fault and makes the repair harder. Keep a bucket and towel handy, take photos from inside and call us for a proper look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a leaking roof window always need replacing?
No. Most leaks come from flashing, seals or the covering around the frame, not from the window. We repair what is faulty, and replace the window only if it has failed or does not suit the roof.
Why is there misting between the panes?
Misting between the panes means the sealed glass unit has failed and air has entered. It does not usually mean a roof leak. The glass unit or the whole window can be replaced, and we advise which is more sensible.
Can poor installation cause leaks later?
Yes. If the flashing kit is the wrong match, tiles are not lapped properly or the lining and insulation are poor, problems show up in time. This is why fitting matters as much as the window itself.
Talk to our team about VELUX and roof window installation in Emersons Green
Every roof is different — the fastest way to get an accurate answer is a quick chat with our team.