Common Problem With Skylights

Skylights provide a beautiful touch to any home or commercial building. By letting in natural light to our rooms and spaces, skylights offer homeowners many options to brighten up their home’s interior. Skylights also provide the warmth of the sun during cold winter months, and help to reduce energy use by taking some of the burden off of our HVAC systems. 

Silent Leakers

But there can also be a downside to having skylights that can cost homeowners added expenses that can become quite costly. Since a skylight is created by cutting a hole in your roof, it can be prone to leaking. Water damage can be extensive before a homeowner realizes that there is even an issue that needs attention. If you have a skylight, it is important to understand what can cause them to leak in order to protect your home. 

Installation Issues

How a skylight is installed is a good indicator as to how it will perform in your home. If it was installed improperly, there is a greater chance that it will leak. This is because an improperly installed skylight will have an issue with fit, making it fall prey to the rain and winds that your roof endures during the course of its lifetime. 

If you think your skylight was installed incorrectly, but haven’t experienced leaks yet, you can feel around its seal to see if any air is seeping in, if so, call a professional to make the adjustments needed to secure the skylight properly into place.

Roofing Problems

Skylights can also fall victim to inadequate roofing. Roofing that is not sealed properly with flashing that directs the water around the skylight will allow water to seep into it. A professional roofing technician can help you solve your roofing issues if you suspect that it is causing your skylight to leak.

Aged Skylights 
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The age of your skylight can also have an affect on how it performs. Materials can began to break down over the years due to exposure to sun, cold, and water. Once these materials become brittle, they will crack and shift, causing the skylight to eventually fail. Old skylights will need to be fully replaced, as continued patching and adjustment is merely prolonging the inevitable, allowing water damage to occur over time. 

While skylights offer homeowners the beauty of natural light in their interior spaces, they can also become a messy and expensive hassle to manage. If your skylight is in need of replacement or you have other issues with your roofing that needs attention, contact the professionals at Boyd Construction Company for quality and experienced service.