Skylights are a great way to let natural light into the home and enjoy the view outside. However, these windows can be particularly susceptible to leaks. Knowing what to look out for and how to prevent leaks will ensure that your skylights are a benefit to your home rather than a source of frustration. Let’s look at some of the ways you can prevent leaks around your skylight.
Check for Condensation
If you see moisture pooling on your floor, you may think there’s a leak in the skylight. However, this might not be the case. Condensation can cause water to drip down onto the ceiling and the floor. As long as you wipe the surface of your skylight down any time condensation builds up, this isn’t a concern.
Keep the Surface Clear and Trim Overhanging Branches
Built-up debris is more than just an eyesore when you have a skylight. Much like it is with roofing, built-up debris can trap moisture and damage the seal around your skylight. It’s important that you reach out to a roofer to clear debris off your roof at least twice a year. If you can safely do it without getting on the roof and there’s not an exceptional amount of debris, you may be able to handle minor maintenance on your own.
Preventive maintenance is crucial as well. If you have large trees on your property that are hanging over your skylight, a strong wind or a storm could cause a branch to fall down and damage the seal or the window itself. Get a professional to trim overhanging branches so that you don’t have to worry about this problem.
Have a Roofer Inspect Shingle and Flashing Health
Maintaining your roof and your skylight’s seal prevents both from causing skylight leaks. Annual maintenance via roofer inspections gives you the support and protection you’ll need. They’ll check the seal of your skylight for cracks and degradation, inspect the flashing, and look for damaged shingles that could be leaving the underlayment vulnerable around your skylight. Then, they’ll tell you if anything needs to be fixed and address it.
Consider the Age of Your Skylight When Using Prevention Strategies
Skylights have an expiration date. Often, skylights will last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. If you’re reaching the end of the expected lifespan, be realistic about whether maintenance and repairs will reduce leaks. If you’re running into continued issues and you’d benefit from a new skylight, it might be better to replace it with a new one.
Leaks around your skylight can cause numerous issues for the rest of your property. If you currently have skylights or you plan on installing them in your home, use these insights to prevent leaks from forming and know when they’re leaks rather than internal condensation. If you live in Syracuse, NY or a surrounding area and need skylight services, make your first call to Forte Roofing.