CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
Skylight Leaks
Having a skylight creates lovely natural light in your home. It brightens up bathrooms without sacrificing privacy, it creates an open, light feeling in your living room, and truly brings the outside in. However, like most window additions, with improper installation or age, there may be some potential leaking issues.
Reasons for Leaking Skylights
If you notice a small amount of water leaking out of your skylights, there are several simple ways to troubleshoot and potentially repair the leak. Double check to make sure that the skylight is fully closed. Obvious but worth a try.
Flashing
If you have an old skylight, chances are over time the flashing (the metal around the skylight connecting it to your roof) will corrode due to continuous exposure to different kinds of weather and water. The best solution to this is to replace the flashing with a more durable, modern version available on the market today that can withstand harsh weather longer.
Improper Installation
If your skylight was installed during the summer, you perhaps had no idea that it was leaking until the fall or winter rain started. If your skylight is brand new, chances are the leakages are due to improper installation. Certainly, if it was installed improperly, the company that originally installed it should come fix it, free of charge.
Roof Cement
Leakage may not be due to your skylight at all. If your skylight is installed with roof cement, it may be beneficial to check to see if there are cracks or tiny pinholes that have formed in the cement.
Condensation
Condensation often happens with skylights due to the temperature differences between the inside and outside of your house. If a skylight is made properly, they have “weep holes” around the perimeter of the glass, letting the water leak out of it efficiently. However, if the weep holes aren’t working or are clogged, the water can collect and then leak indoors. This is a particularly large problem for bathroom skylights, as bathrooms are in general more humid. There isn’t an easy, permanent fix for this weep hole problem, except for replacing the insulated glass completely.
Drywall problems
If you checked off all of these issues and you’re still experiencing leaking, it may be best to get a contractor to rip open the drywall surrounding your skylight. The space between the skylight and the frame was likely not properly insulated, causing leakage in your home. A contractor will then spray in an expanding, waterproof foam that dries hard, forming a barrier around your skylight.
Inspect the Roofing and Flashing Around a Leaking Skylight
Once you’re sure the water is penetrating from the roof outside, look carefully to see if the shingles and flashing around the skylight are properly installed and functional. Roofing should be firmly nailed down, so repair any lifted shingles.
Next, take a look at the flashing. Because the purpose of flashing is to make a watertight seal between the skylight and the roof, any visible defects or damage (like corrosion or pinholes) are signs your flashing needs to be replaced. You should also check that the roofing material extends all the way around the flashing, including each side and the top. If there is space between the roofing and flashing, water can get trapped and cause leaks.
Seal Flashing Around a Leaking Skylight
Start by clearing any water or debris that has collected between the roofing and flashing. Then lift the roof shingles away from the edges of the skylight so you can access the flashing. Use a putty knife to add a layer of roofing cement in the gap between the edge of the flashing and the roofing. This will provide a seal against future leaks, as long as it doesn’t dry out or become brittle. Check the roofing cement sealant every few months. If it’s peeling or dried out, remove and apply a new layer.
When the flashing itself is damaged or moldy, it must be replaced.
Sometimes there are a number of small issues regarding your skylight that could equal big problems down the line. If you notice condensation but no leakage, it could still amount to mold buildup or corrosion. Acrylic skylights that were installed fifteen years ago in older homes should be inspected, as they tend to last only 15-20 years, perhaps longer if inspections and upgrades were made in the past. Newer skylights have a different warranty and design, and are made with materials to withstand years of outdoor wear.
Skylights are meant to let in extra light, not water! Added natural sunlight makes your home feel brighter and more spacious, but leaking skylights can take all that beauty away and replace it with rotting structures or mold if you don’t catch them in time. So, if you have leaking skylights, read on to find out why they leak and what to do.
