Install Conservatory Cavity trays and vertical dpc’s or not – The debate continiues

The Renegade Conservatory Guy who is a respected in the industry for his views, has recently taken interest in my cavity tray and vertical dpc articles and has asked the same basic questions to some of his readers, whether to fit them or not and is there a difference between the sales guys and the technical guys in their views on this issue? (Link to his article at bottom of page) I would like to thank him for his interest and his reader’s views, which range from quite sensible approaches to some that I found comical in content and humour.

In light of such diverse opinions I have decided to publish some more technical information which may or may not, help those who are unsure on the decision they need to make on guaranteeing a waterproof conservatory. (My original article links below)

Do you sell, survey and install cavity trays on Conservatories ? If you don’t sooner or later it will cost you.

Do all Conservatory and Orangery surveyors specify vertical dpc’s against the house walls on Conservatory and Orangery Installations

After many years surveying and managing installations across a very broad area of the country, I can categorically tell you if the house is face brick cavity construction, the only way you can guarantee 100% waterproof integrity of the conservatory is to fit cavity trays. If you don’t then the water ingress is always going to be a roll of the dice. “Some people may have rolled lucky sixes years, but you won’t keep winning on the roll of a dice forever”

It appears there are very varied opinions on whether or not cavity trays and vertical dpc’s are required in certain areas of the country or not. Some offer them as part of the sale. Some opinions are purely based on cost of sale. Some have said, they have never had a single leak in thousands of installations fitted without cavity trays, or vertical dpc’s. Then there were those who stated that they have installed in the Scottish Highlands and had no problems. Others will insist that their areas are classed as “sheltered areas”.

To clarify this point I have published a map that shows areas of wind driven rain and it appears to show only a very small proportion  of the UK as being a “sheltered area”

Do you sell, survey and install cavity trays on Conservatories ? If you don’t sooner or later it will cost you.

The general consensus of opinion on whether to fit cavity trays or not has and always been split into two camps

Camp one containing not all, but a fair proportion of unscrupulous sales reps and surveyors, that will say, “You don’t need cavity trays because your property isn’t facing the prevailing weather” purely to keep the cost of sale down and secure their commission. Some don’t care at all and will have moved on by the time the devastation takes place

Camp two are the sales reps and surveyors, who want the conservatory to be waterproof for its life span, no matter which direction the driving rain comes from, guaranteeing the profitability and professionalism of the company

If you are selling, surveying, or constructing a conservatory, how can anybody tell a customer “You don’t need cavity trays because your conservatory is facing North East and the prevailing weather comes from the South West” or “we don’t fit cavity trays in this area there is no need for them”

What are you going to tell that same devastated customer when you get the one storm coming from the North East and the water pours in, causing damage to the property and furnishings?  I can see the conversation unfold,

”It’s nothing to do with the conservatory it’s your walls that are at fault“ Then you tell them “we can resolve it, if we fit cavity trays for you ” They reply with “Why didn’t you tell me I needed cavity trays in the first place for my conservatory to be guaranteed waterproof, you never mentioned cavity trays” or “You told me that I didn’t need cavity trays” followed by “you’ll be paying to put it right now and fit cavity trays and you’ll be paying for all the damage you’ve caused and I want compensating”

As a professional, giving a bad advice and bad recommendations you could be deemed legally to be at fault.

“Is it better to lose a sale, or lose a bucket full of money for your company by making a total financial loss carrying out remedial works and associated costs at a later date?”