Sunroom Roof Repair Guide

Between increasing home value, reducing heating and cooling costs and letting you bask in natural sunlight, sunrooms are a worthwhile investment for any homeowner. Still, they require maintenance and occasional repairs, just like any other home feature.

You'll need to keep the gutters and roof clear of debris and clean the windows, walls, floors and doors throughout the year. These efforts make it easier to identify damages and help reduce the need for more extensive repairs or replacements.

Types of Sunrooms

All sunrooms are not created equal. Some are crafted almost entirely from glass panes, while others boast large floor-to-ceiling windows. Different sunrooms also use various types of roofing:

Conventional sunroom: Also referred to as conservatories, a conventional sunroom roof comprises most of the structure. The walls of a conservatory use large windows with drywall or other materials.
Three- and four-season sunrooms: While three- and four-season sunrooms are similar in design, four-season sunrooms offer optimal temperature control. They often use shingle or aluminum roofing materials to mimic the home's existing roof.
Screened porch: These sunrooms use screen walls and may have aluminum or polycarbonate roofing and siding panels. They may also share the same material as the home's roof.
Solarium: These sunrooms are made entirely from glass panes, from the roof to the walls.

Signs of Sunroom Roof Damage

While damages and repairs will look different, the signs of roof damage are generally similar. Here's what to look for:

Water leaks: An interior water leak is a definite sign of a damaged sunroom roof. You may notice dripping from the ceiling or water markings down the walls.
Sagging or bowing: A bowing ceiling is a sign of a leak. As the water collects, structural integrity degrades to cause sagging.
Visible cracks and holes: If you notice cracks or holes in the ceiling or window panes, you must remedy these issues to prevent further damage to your sunroom.
Mold and mildew growth: Even when a water leak is not obvious, mold and mildew can grow in moist areas near the leak.
Increased energy bills: Roof damages will let cold or warm air in, compromising indoor temperature control and increasing the strain on your heating and cooling system. An increase in energy consumption is often a sign of sunroom roof damage.
Aging materials: Roof damage is more common in older sunrooms. As materials degrade with age, there's a higher chance of leaks.

General sunroom maintenance and regular structure inspections make it possible to identify damages early. When damages are neglected, the issue can snowball, leading to higher repair costs.

Sunroom Roof Repair Steps

If your home's roof extends over the sunroom, it's recommended to reach out to professional roofing contractors. These kinds of roof repairs can be dangerous if you don't have the necessary skills and tools. While it's always best to leave major sunroom roof repair work to the professionals, you may be able to manage minor roof leaks with a do-it-yourself approach if aging materials are not the cause. In this case, professionals may need to replace various elements of the structure to prevent the issue from reoccurring.

Here's how to repair minor sunroom roof leaks independently:

Locate the Leak

You need to identify the source of the leak before you can conduct repairs. Look for damp areas or any water accumulation, then trace it back to its origin. Some leaks could be harder to spot if they're from a small crack in the roofing panel or framing.

Clear the Area

Using a ladder, clear the area surrounding the leak and remove any mold and mildew growth on the surrounding walls and framing. Dry the area thoroughly with a cloth to ensure moisture won't affect your repair efforts.

Wear a protective face mask to avoid inhaling spores when removing mold and mildew growth from your sunroom. An N-95 face mask, long gloves and goggles are essential. Cleaning products like dish detergent and household bleach are generally suitable products to use.

If mold and mildew growth are extensive, professional remediation contractors may need to clear the area before you can conduct any repairs.

Apply a Sealant

Some minor sunroom roof repairs require a simple sealant application to rectify a leak in the roof, especially for sunrooms with glass pane roofing or skylights. Apply a waterproof sealant like silicone caulk or roofing cement in a generous, even layer covering the entire leak area. If the leak is coming from a crack in a roof pane, avoid sealant, as it could look unsightly and may not address the root issue.

Remove Damaged Materials

Using a chisel, carefully chip away the putty that secures the roof pane to the frame, if applicable. This may be more tricky if the putty is painted. It's essential to support the damaged pane with thick insulation tape to prevent it from falling as you remove the putty. You might have to remove fasteners if your sunroom roof has shingles or similar.

Repair or Replace the Framing

If you have a roof with framed panels, you may need to replace the framing. Wood, vinyl and aluminum are common sunroom framing materials:

Wood: If your sunroom uses wood framing, the leak may be due to wood rotting. If the wood rot is minimal, you can apply a wood hardener, filler or epoxy product to strengthen the frame. However, it's often best to replace the damaged framing.
Vinyl: For vinyl sunroom framing, cracks, holes and warping can let leaks in. You can use a vinyl repair kit to restore minor cracks and holes for this kind of framing, although a replacement is necessary when warping is the issue. If the material is cracked, use a putty knife to smooth the adhesive material over the crack and leave it to dry for 24 hours. Then, use a razor blade to scrape away any excess adhesive and apply a scratch remover product to remove any visible residue. You can use a mesh patch kit to repair holes in vinyl.
Aluminum: If harsh weather conditions like hail or falling branches have bent aluminum framing, you might be able to hammer it back into place carefully. However, it's best to contact professional contractors to replace the structure if the metal framing is visibly distorted due to the damage.

Make Minor Fixes

If you only need to replace a damaged pane — such as minor damage to a glass-paneled solarium roof or similar — measure the existing pane for a tight fit. Then, carefully place the pane within the frame and use insulation tape to support the new material. If you have wood or aluminum framing, use a putty knife to apply fresh putty around the frame to secure the new pane to the frame. Leave the supporting tape in place to allow the putty to dry thoroughly. Putty drying times can differ, so it's best to refer to the product's instructions.

Aluminum sunroom roof repair may not require putty application and may instead use a metal clip or snap feature to lock the frame in place. If the issue is a cracked or loose shingle, use a roofing seal to repair the damage and adhere it to the roof. Aluminum or tin roofs might require a special patch kit compatible with that material — you can find these at most hardware stores.

Let Colorado Sunroom and Window Restore Your Sunroom Roof

Repairing a damaged sunroom roof can be tricky, especially when repair needs are extensive. Colorado Sunroom and Window has over 40 years of experience in superior sunroom installation and repairs. We offer free consultations so you know what to expect in terms of costs and project timeline.

All of our sunrooms are constructed with the highest-performing glass on the market, so your sunroom will boast optimal temperature control. Contact us online to book a free consultation or to learn more about our services.