tjh82 Posted September 16, 2019 Report Share Posted September 16, 2019 Hello The skylights on our old Dutch barge love to leak. The frames are wooden and the glass double glazed. I've tried removing the old sealant and have smothered in new stuff but they still drip. Lots. Does anyone have any advice/brands/magic links to leak proof sealants that'll sort this once and for all? Many thanks Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Harold Posted September 16, 2019 Report Share Posted September 16, 2019 (edited) Are the frames leaking,or is the water coming in between the glass and the frames.? Stand underneath with a torch,while an assistant pours buckets of canal water over them and be patient,because it can sometimes take a little time for the water to percolate through. The only way to fix leaks is to strip them completely and re seal. Glass can be sealed in with "Stixall"but this stuff is pretty permanent.Frames can be fixed by making a little "dam"around them with small strips of wood glued in place. Also,do the frames have drain slots or drain holes? they may be blocked with muck. Edited September 16, 2019 by Mad Harold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drayke Posted September 16, 2019 Report Share Posted September 16, 2019 9 hours ago, tjh82 said: Hello The skylights on our old Dutch barge love to leak. The frames are wooden and the glass double glazed. I've tried removing the old sealant and have smothered in new stuff but they still drip. Lots. Does anyone have any advice/brands/magic links to leak proof sealants that'll sort this once and for all? Many thanks Tom I had a leaking Houdini hatch, took out all of the screws holding it down squirted some sealant into holes, put screws back in problem sorted. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dreamer Posted September 16, 2019 Report Share Posted September 16, 2019 Is it definitely leaking, or might it be condensation? Our Houdini hatch is a nightmare, as soon as the air temperature starts to drop, so from about now until March, it gives the impression of being a sieve! So fed up with it that I am building both inside and outside covers, each insulated, for use in the winter months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Ambrose Posted September 16, 2019 Report Share Posted September 16, 2019 9 minutes ago, The Dreamer said: Is it definitely leaking, or might it be condensation? Our Houdini hatch is a nightmare, as soon as the air temperature starts to drop, so from about now until March, it gives the impression of being a sieve! So fed up with it that I am building both inside and outside covers, each insulated, for use in the winter months. Yup Houdini hatches rain on you during colder months. I double glazed mine by simply fitting secondary glazing a piece of clear acrylic with a strip of draught proofing around the edge. The panel is held in place with swivel clips . I take them down and put them behind the sofa when they are not needed. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjh82 Posted September 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2019 Hey These are wooden framed skylights - definitely rain rather than condensation. Ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted September 17, 2019 Report Share Posted September 17, 2019 (edited) On 16/09/2019 at 14:18, Mad Harold said: The only way to fix leaks is to strip them completely and re seal. What he said. You may temporarily bodge it up with sealant/epoxy resin, or get luck with Captain Tolley's creeping crack cure, but ultimately they will need resealing properly. Edited September 17, 2019 by rusty69 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjh82 Posted September 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Hi rusty69! When you say "resealing properly", what would that involve please? Fresh sealant around the glass/wood join has done nothing. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 1 hour ago, tjh82 said: Fresh sealant around the glass/wood join has done nothing. Then it must be leaking elsewhere. Maybe frame to shell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenataomm Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Creeping Crack Cure I've no idea if it's any good, I just love saying "Creeping Crack Cure" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree monkey Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 51 minutes ago, zenataomm said: Creeping Crack Cure I've no idea if it's any good, I just love saying "Creeping Crack Cure" It's excellent stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 1 hour ago, zenataomm said: Creeping Crack Cure I've no idea if it's any good, I just love saying "Creeping Crack Cure" It’s even better when you prefix it with “Captain Tolley’s” 25 minutes ago, tree monkey said: It's excellent stuff It’s worked for me. Not everyone rates it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stegra Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 When the police searched my motorhome at a festival they found a syringe. They also found a packet of Rizlas with the corners torn off. I'm not sure what they thought when I showed them that the syringe was for something going by the name of Crack Cure. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevron Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Yep creeping crack cure works for me on my hatches no leak at all and had tried lots of things my hatch is above the bed so know it has worked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detling Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 not relevant to the OP but I spent 2 years tracking a leak in one of my windows. They had been pop-riveted in and the centre of one had rusted through leaving a 1mm hole which the water quite happily went through, the stainless rivet was fitted fine and was tight but the snappy bit is just steel which rusts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 When I made our latest dog box I used plastic sealed hinges because I have never had any success stopping the top leak with just the top cover strip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Ambrose Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 5 hours ago, Detling said: not relevant to the OP but I spent 2 years tracking a leak in one of my windows. They had been pop-riveted in and the centre of one had rusted through leaving a 1mm hole which the water quite happily went through, the stainless rivet was fitted fine and was tight but the snappy bit is just steel which rusts. Thanks for that observation, makes sense when you think about it, so now we know what to look out for and fix. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paringa Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 My barge has a dogbox that leaks and it is basically the wrong design. The previous owner had sealed it up and for the most part it has stopped leaking, but of course now it doesn't open which rather defeats the purpose. It has a cover over it which stops any rain getting in. I did look at replacing it but a properly designed and built one was going to be £3500, which is too much for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 13 hours ago, Paringa said: I did look at replacing it but a properly designed and built one was going to be £3500, which is too much for me. The trouble is that materials alone for a quality Dogbox like the one below are over a grand, closer to £1500. Then, if it’s the same design as this one it’s a LOT of work to build it. But... it won’t leak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paringa Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 Yep, it looked exactly like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 10 hours ago, WotEver said: The trouble is that materials alone for a quality Dogbox like the one below are over a grand, closer to £1500. Then, if it’s the same design as this one it’s a LOT of work to build it. But... it won’t leak Every time I see that I'm equally impressed. Lovely job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paringa Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 Oh i see... Mr WotEvers handywork. Very nice indeed. Fancy making another? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 6 hours ago, Paringa said: Oh i see... Mr WotEvers handywork. Very nice indeed. Fancy making another? Sure, but the price you quoted would be pretty close, depending on size and fittings (brass v stainless). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Jordan Posted September 27, 2019 Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 The design shown in the photos is taken from my book "Narrow Boat & Dutch Barge Joinery Designs" and very unlikely to leak if properly made with flush glazing. available on Amazon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Jordan Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 I think it's fair comment to say that most dog boxes and deck lights are poorly made and tend to leak (those from Wotever and myself being exceptions of course) the easiest way to spot a duff one is to look for a diamond shaped rail fastened to the top of the ridge, this is usually a desperate (and futile) attempt to keep rain off the hinged joint and stop it leaking. A look at my gallery will show fitting and water proofing systems that work well! It's not rocket science, just old fashioned standard joinery methods. As to Houdini hatches, they are great for letting the heat out of the galley area but the condensation in winter months is serious enough to prevent any experienced boater from having one on a second boat. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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