If are looking to enhance your space without compromising your privacy, you’ve probably looked at or have already installed a skylight. Although beautiful and functional, unfortunately, skylights are prone to leaking. Skylight leak repairs are one of the most common residential roof leak repairs. Your skylight maybe just be showing signs of old age or it may be an indication of a more serious, hidden problem. When it comes to the integrity of your roof, we don’t like to take any chances, which is why we’re going to tell you about the causes and warning signs of a leaking skylight.
Common Causes Of Leaking Skylights
Like most things, there is a range of possible reasons a skylight may be leaking, some of which are:
Damaged Flashing
Every skylight has metal flashing surrounding it, attaching it to the rest of the roof. Left exposed to the elements, over time flashing may break or begin to corrode. This corrosion leaves weak spots in the flashing where water may enter into your home. A temporary fix can be done, but eventually, roofing tiles will need to be removed to replace the flashing.
Roofing Cement
Roofing cement can be used to temporarily fix leaking skylights but if used in the original installation it may become problematic. Roofing cement has been known to crack when exposed to heat, creating an opening for unwanted water to enter your home.
Bad Installation
A problematic skylight may have nothing to do with the product and everything to do with the installation. Unfortunately, poorly installed skylights may go unnoticed in the heat and only exposing their flaws in wet weather.
Blocked Weep Holes
Weep holes are found around the perimeter of skylight glass–if it’s made correctly! These tiny holes allow water from condensation to escape from your home, instead of dripping onto the floor. Weep holes are particularly useful in damper rooms of your home like the bathroom. If these holes become blocked it is extremely difficult to fix, without replacing the whole glass.
Red Flags That Show The Need For Skylight Repairs
Something as small as a leaking skylight has the potential to cause something as big as replacing your home’s roof. But, knowing the tell-tale signs of a leaking skylight can prevent this from happening.
Cracks
If you notice any cracks in the skylight’s glass or around its edges, you should call a professional for help. These cracks may be an entrance for water and bugs into your home and it’s an entrance that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Condensation
Condensation on or around your skylight may be an indication that the skylights sealant is damaged. A sealant not doing its job may cause a leak that puts the integrity of your home’s roof in jeopardy.
Drafts of Wind
Unless you have a window or door open in your home, you should not be feeling drafts of wind inside! It may be difficult to tell if your skylight is letting wind in, but if you suspect that it is you should call a professional. After all, if it’s letting wind in, it’s also letting your cool, air-conditioned air out!
Discoloration
Unless you’re looking for them, cracks in your skylight may go unnoticed. Luckily for us, a leaking skylight has more than one tell! If a skylight is leaking and water is entering your home, there will be a visible discoloration around it. The presence of this discoloration means that the leak may potentially lead to heavy roof damage if not repaired as soon as possible.
By looking at the visible damage caused by a leaking skylight, it may not seem a priority to fix, but after hearing about the hidden damage, we hope that this has changed! We understand that life is busy enough as it is, without having to worry about your leaking skylight! This is why our team at Aabco Roofing would like to help you lighten the load by taking care of all your roofing needs!
