[Doddy]

I've had a 8x6" greenhouse on the allotment for around 2 years now. I've just been down to the plot to wash this through with Jeyes, only to find many of the panels - particularly the roof sheets, with small holes developing (maybe 4mm in diameter) - exclusively over the channels (not the internal ribs), and only on the outer-side.

What the hell has caused this? (I'm only now wondering ash?... nah, unlikely) - UV degregation? over 2 years??

One major problem I have is that the construction is such that the panels slide into the aluminium extrusion during construction, so replacement = complete disassembly (or at least removing the roof construction - not something I particularly fancy doing.

Is there anything out there that could be used to reinforce this for a season or two?, some form of horticulturally-friendly sticky-backed plastic sheet that I could apply to the outer surface?

Any help ?

Mike

[mumofstig]

Probably hail that caused them  Ypu could try the clear tape used to repair polytunnels

[Doddy]

Hail?, that makes some sense. Perhaps the plastic was brittle in the cold; It'd explain the single-direction impact, and the outer face only. You may have a good point.

Plastic repair tape for tunnels?, that's an equally good thought. Particularly as half the reason I was down there was to measure what space I could fill a PT with

Many thanks MoS: More wisdom than myself.

[donco]

where did you get it?
mine is from Waltons (or Mercia Garden Products) and has HUNDREDS of small holes!

[Kevin67]

I have this twin-wall polycarb sheeting.

After a chat with some other gardeners, we thought it was UV degradation making it brittle and then the holes punctured by hail.

I'll post a pic later.


...later...

You will be able to see the side that had had the UV exposure and hail stones and the inside which has not. Images are sideways/longways of a cold frame.

Some panels I have 'reversed' so the inside is outside - thus giving a little extra life of the cold frame.

[mumofstig]

where did you get it?
mine is from Waltons (or Mercia Garden Products) and has HUNDREDS of small holes!

donco, Doddy hasn't posted since March 2013, so it's very unlikely you'll get an answer.

[cadalot]

Get a tube of translucent silicon squirt it in the hole and then smooth of with a damp rag.   

[spud]

could be hail, but what about .22 air rifle? though perhaps it may have went through both skins, unless they were shooting from quite a distance away....

[beesrus]

 
I do have to laugh sometimes.
Hail or frogs, which is it ?

The sparks will be flying on Wednesday, watch out.