Water Finding Its Way Between Roof Panels
diagnose a leak between glass roof panels
A leak that appears along a panel joint rather than at the wall usually points to the glazing bar seal or the panel gasket rather than the glass itself. It's a different fault to a wall-junction leak and needs a different fix.
Safety first: isolate power before touching a motorised system, and never work at height off a ladder alone. If in doubt, book a fitter rather than forcing a mechanism.
Gasket wear along the glazing bar
Each glass panel sits against a rubber or EPDM gasket within the aluminium glazing bar, and these gaskets can shrink, harden or shift slightly out of position over years of UV exposure and thermal cycling, opening a fine path for water during heavy or wind-driven rain.
Panel seating and clip pressure
If a panel has shifted slightly in its bar, whether from a knock, a fixing clip loosening, or minor settlement, the seal pressure along one edge can drop even though the gasket itself is still in reasonable condition.
Distinguishing this from condensation
It's worth ruling out condensation before assuming a leak, since droplets forming on the underside of glass in cold weather can look similar to a slow leak but come from moist internal air rather than rainwater getting in from outside.
- Leak appears only during or after rain
- Leak follows a specific joint line, not the whole panel
- Occurs regardless of internal temperature
- Not accompanied by misting on the glass surface
What not to attempt yourself
Panels are heavy, sit under tension in the glazing bar, and are usually best not lifted or re-seated by anyone without the right lifting equipment and experience — a poorly reseated panel can crack or fail to seal at all.
Questions we get asked on repair calls
Does one leaking joint mean all the panels need checking?
Not necessarily — gaskets can wear unevenly depending on sun exposure and wind direction, so a single affected joint doesn't automatically mean the whole roof needs attention.
Is this covered if the roof is still within its warranty period?
That depends on your original supplier's warranty terms and how long ago it was fitted — check your paperwork or ask the original installer.
Can I temporarily seal it myself while waiting for a fitter?
It's best avoided — sealant applied over the wrong area can trap moisture against the gasket or make it harder for a fitter to properly diagnose and fix the actual gap.
How quickly does this kind of leak get worse?
It varies, but a gasket that has started to fail tends to continue rather than improve, so it's sensible to get it looked at rather than monitor it indefinitely.
What a repair visit involves
A fitter will typically trace the leak to a specific joint, check gasket condition and clip pressure along that run, and either reseat the panel with fresh gasket material or adjust the fixing clips to restore even pressure.
In short
Panel-joint leaks usually trace to a worn gasket or uneven clip pressure rather than the glass itself, and need careful reseating by a fitter.
Get it looked at
If water is finding its way between your roof panels, we can trace the joint and reseat or reseal it properly.
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