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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.

 

Leaking Skylight

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.

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.

1. Double check to make sure that the skylight is fully closed. Obvious but worth a try.

2. Verify that the leak is not actually pooled condensation on the underside of the glass.  This happens often — in very cold climates, in humid rooms, and with single-glazed skylights. To reduce condensation, add insulation between the framing members and the skylight itself.

3. Look at the area around the skylight from both inside and outside to check for damp or stained surfaces.

4. Clear away any leaves, twigs, and dirt that have gathered on the skylight and check the glass itself for cracks.  Seal skylight cracks with a layer of clear silicone along the entire length.

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.

Leaking Skylight Repair Cost

This is one of the most common problems homeowners have with this type of windows because they are tilted on the roof.  Mainly, leaking issues happen when the flashing between the frame and roof loosens or when the glazing seal between the glass pane and frame starts corroding.  If these two areas get loose, water can start leaking.  A corroding frame can also cause leaking.  To fix the problem, the contractor will fix or replace the flashing, seal, or corroding frame.

Skylight Heat Loss

While skylights provide daylight and ventilation to your home, they can cause unwanted heat in summer to enter the home and a loss of heat from the home during winter.  The most common methods applied by professionals include resealing the unit, fixing the metal flashing, and, in some cases, weather stripping.

If you want to solve this issue, you may apply insulated glazing, low-emissivity coating, or install a translucent insulation material between the glazing layers of the glass.  To prevent unwanted heat gain or loss, the professional may also recommend window tinting.  It is a method through which a thin laminate film is glued to the window for thermal insulation, UV ray blocking, filtration, privacy, safety, decoration, and more.

Skylight Mold

The most common reason mold appears on windows is condensation due to the difference in temperature on the two sides of the window (inside and outside).  Mold can also happen for various other reasons.  Water leaks, inner condensation, improper sealing, or cracks can cause water to seep into the window or interior and mold to form as a result.  The professional hired to clear the mold will first determine the cause of the mold.  Depending on the cause, they will fix the seal, replace the flashing, or if the cause is a cracked glass, they may replace the whole glass.  If left untreated, mold can cause other problems for the house structure and air quality.  If you notice the mold has spread to other areas of the ceiling or other parts of the home, you may have to hire mold remediation services.  They will inspect where the mold has spread and remove it from every part to ensure it is completely eradicated and the house is safe for everyone’s health.

Cracked Skylight Repair

Cracked glass can be temporarily fixed with silicone caulking and weather tape.  However, this is a temporary fix and will only stop the current leak from causing further water damage to the roof, ceiling, and interior of your home.  The cracked glass would still need to be fully replaced eventually.

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.