Skylights are a great way to bring natural light into your home. However, they are also vulnerable to leaks that can cause costly damage.

One of the most common causes of skylight leaks is when the roof flashing corrodes or breaks down. Fortunately, this problem can be easily fixed using roof flashing cement.

What Causes Skylight Leaks?

Skylights are a great way to brighten up rooms in your home. However, if they leak and you don’t catch them in time, they can cause a lot of damage. They can create unsightly dark spots on your ceiling, warp your wood floors, and ruin any property that they drip onto.

One of the most common reasons that a skylight leaks is because it was not installed correctly or because it has been damaged over time. A professional roofer will be able to check for these problems and repair them so that they don’t happen again in the future.

Another reason that your skylight may be leaking is because it’s not properly sealed to the rest of your roof. Ideally, the flashing that connects the skylight to the rest of the roof will act as a watertight barrier and keep it from leaking. If it’s not, the seals and flashing will deteriorate over time, creating an opening for rain to penetrate your roof.

It’s important to get your roof checked regularly to ensure that any damage or cracks are repaired quickly before it causes serious issues with your home. It’s also a good idea to have a weather seal or two installed as these are the most effective ways of creating a watertight barrier for your roof.

In addition to these, you should check that the weep holes that are dotted around the edges of your skylight glass are free from debris. The weep holes allow condensation to drain out of the skylight and out of your home, but if they’re blocked by dust or other debris, they can collect water and cause leaks.

Lastly, you should also try to improve the ventilation of your skylight and around it. This can reduce the clouding that forms on the glass and make it easier for condensation to escape. If you’re using a fan, be sure to use it during the day and not just at night.

The best way to prevent a leaky skylight is to have it professionally installed by a roofing company. This will save you a lot of money in the long run and ensure that it’s well sealed.

Types of Skylights

Skylights can add a lot of beauty to your home, and they can also be very useful in bringing in more natural light. In addition, they can help to improve energy efficiency and even add a little extra ceiling height.

There are several types of skylights to choose from, each one designed for a specific purpose. It’s important to know what you want a skylight to do for you before making a final decision on which type of skylight to buy.

Fixed skylights are the most common, and they’re typically installed in high-ceilinged rooms like stairwells or attics. They don’t open and therefore don’t provide ventilation, but they do give you a great view of the sky or other scenery.

They’re also a good choice if you want to let in more light but don’t want to worry about moisture or mildewing. However, if you’re installing a fixed skylight on a roof that isn’t well-sealed, it can be susceptible to leaks.

The most common cause of a skylight leak is improper flashing around the window. When this isn’t done correctly, water can run into the window from the roof and through it.

When this happens, it can lead to drywall or ceiling damage, which isn’t a good thing. It can also make the window more difficult to clean, as you’ll have to keep a close eye on the area to prevent mold from growing.

Some homeowners opt for ventilating skylights, which allow air to flow through them and reduce humidity. This can be beneficial if you have a room that’s particularly prone to mildewing, such as a bathroom or kitchen. Ventilating skylights are often easier to clean than fixed or tubular models, and can be made of a variety of materials to fit your needs.

For example, plexiglass (poly glass) is a relatively inexpensive alternative to more expensive glass. It’s a good option for a small space because it’s lightweight and easy to install, but it can scratch easily if it comes in contact with debris or hail. It can also allow in more UV rays than other materials, causing furniture and floors to fade.

How to Detect a Skylight Leak

Leaks in skylights can cause a lot of damage. It is best to detect the problem as soon as possible, so that you can act quickly and get it fixed before more damage occurs.

One of the first things to look for is discoloration around the skylight. This may indicate that the skylight has been leaking and is slowly causing damage to the frame. It may also be a sign that the flashing surrounding the frame is damaged and allowing water to enter.

Another thing to look for is the condition of the shingles on the roof above the skylight. Missing shingles or broken tiles can allow water to penetrate the roof, leading to leaks that enter the home through the skylight.

The next step is to check the ceiling around the skylight frame. If the ceiling is damp or wet, then you have a flashing issue. You need to contact a reputable roofing contractor for an inspection.

Once the roofer has confirmed that there is an issue with the flashing, he can fix the problem. This can be as simple as using roof flashing cement or as complicated as removing the shingles around the skylight and installing new flashing.

Finally, it is important to inspect the glass in the skylight. If the glass is cracked, it will need to be replaced. This is especially true if you have experienced a hailstorm recently.

In addition to cracking, glass can also be chipped by small hailstones over time. If you notice any cracks in your skylight, call Longhorn Roofing right away.

You can also try and replace the seals in the glass. These seals are designed to prevent water from seeping in between the glass and the frame of the skylight.

These seals will start to dry and shrink over time, letting water to leak in between the glass. When this happens, it is usually a good idea to use caulking in order to fix the issue.

While there are several reasons that a skylight could be leaking, it is important to diagnose the problem and take action accordingly. This will help ensure that your home and valuables are protected from damage. It will also help you avoid the stress and expense of a leaky skylight.

When to Repair or Just Replace a Skylight

Skylights are one of the most popular home features, offering a great way to bring in natural light without compromising privacy. They also save you money on energy bills. However, like all home parts, they eventually begin to deteriorate and need replacement.

There are certain signs that you should be on the lookout for that indicate a problem with your skylight. These include cracked glass panes, the age of the window, condensation and discoloration.

Cracked panes are a sign that the glass is failing and needs to be replaced. They may be caused by high winds, hail or other weather factors that can damage the acrylic pane.

Older skylights can also start to experience moisture intrusion and seal failures. This can cause a leak in the attic or other parts of the house and require skylight repair.

If you notice a leak in your skylight, it is important to contact a roofing contractor right away. They will be able to identify the problem and advise whether or not your skylight is repairable.

When the issue with your skylight is a simple fix such as caulking or flashing, it is likely that you can repair it yourself. You can find a lot of information on the Internet that will teach you how to do these types of repairs.

But if your leak has penetrated the insulating glass of your skylight, it will be necessary to replace the entire unit. This is especially true if the insulated glass has cracked.

Once the damaged insulated glass has been replaced, it is essential that the new skylight be properly sealed. This can be done by adding extra caulking and flashing around the skylight.

Alternatively, a roofing expert will be able to do this for you. They will come to your home and remove the existing skylight, fit the new one in place and then replace the caulking or flashing.

Whether you choose to repair your skylight or replace it, it is always important to choose a licensed and experienced skylight installer. This will ensure that the job is done correctly and you have peace of mind that your home will be protected.