Skylight Repair
How to Fix a Leaking Skylight: DIY vs. Professional Help
Skylights are a beautiful addition to any home, providing natural light and ventilation. However, if your skylight starts to leak, it can be a major issue. A leaking skylight not only damages your ceiling and walls but also poses a threat to your home's structure. In this article, we'll discuss how to fix a leaking skylight and whether to seek professional help or attempt a DIY fix.
DIY Fix for a Leaking Skylight
If you're confident in your DIY skills, you may be able to fix a leaking skylight on your own. Here are the steps you can take to attempt a DIY fix:
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Identify the source of the leak: The first step is to identify where the leak is coming from. Check the flashing around the skylight and ensure it's securely attached to the roof.
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Clean the skylight: Remove any debris or dirt around the skylight and clean it with a mild detergent and water.
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Apply sealant: Apply a high-quality silicone sealant around the skylight, paying close attention to the flashing and any gaps or cracks around the skylight.
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Test for leaks: Wait for the sealant to dry and then test for leaks by pouring water over the skylight and checking for any signs of water coming through.
Professional Help for a Leaking Skylight
If you're not comfortable attempting a DIY fix, it's best to seek professional help. Here are the reasons why:
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Safety concerns: Climbing on your roof can be dangerous, especially if you're not experienced or don't have the proper equipment.
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Hidden damage: A leaking skylight may be a sign of other hidden damage to your roof or ceiling, which a professional can identify and fix.
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Warranty concerns: Attempting a DIY fix may void your skylight's warranty, so it's best to consult with a professional.
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Expertise: A professional skylight repair specialist has the knowledge and expertise to identify and fix any issues with your skylight, ensuring it's done right the first time.
In conclusion, a leaking skylight can be a major issue that requires prompt attention. While attempting a DIY fix may be an option for some, it's best to seek professional help to ensure the job is done safely and effectively. If you're experiencing a leaking skylight, contact the experts at Beaches Skylights for professional skylight repair services.
Before and After
Common Skylight Issues
Among the most common skylight problems are leaks and condensation. The causes may vary from one case to another, but the root of the problem is most often poor workmanship and a lack of knowledge on skylight installation.
Here are the most common skylight problems and their possible causes:
Leaking Skylight
Leaking can be seen either within the skylight tunnel or where the skylight connects to the top of the drywall up at the top of the skylight tunnel. This is typically a result of a poor roofing connection or a poorly manufactured skylight window.
Condensation, slow drips or enlarging stains
This symptom's main culprits are lack of airflow
(ie. no bathroom fan), or even a lack of energy efficiency.
Too Hot Under the Skylight
This is caused by a poor-quality old dome that has no R-Value that can amplify the heat in the summertime.
Cold draft in the winter
In cases when you feel drafts in the room with a skylight, it’s because the proper sealing hadn’t been done when installing the skylight.
In some cases just a simple skylight swap is needed, where we remove the existing skylight, clean the top of the curb, then supply and install the new unit.
Quite often we would tarp off the skylight in the interim until we come to do a full replacement.
Typically, skylight issues don’t require much work to be done, thus the repairs can be done quickly. For example, repairing damaged surrounding shingles or sealing small gaps in the structure.
Things to Consider
R-Values
Most old bubble skylights have terrible energy efficiency leaving the home fighting to keep each floor at a regular temperature. New Skylights Come Triple LowE Coated and Vacuum Sealed with Argon Gas
INTERIOR FINISH
Whether you're installing new or replacing a skylight the interior connection is a huge part of the work that will make or break the aesthetics of the skylight. The trim or drywall work is what keeps your eye on the sky.
WARRANTIES
GTA Skylights has a standard 10 Year Workmanship Warranty on all the work we do. Each Skylight comes with its own warranty up to 20 Years!
Benefits of Replacing Your Skylight
Visuals - A skylight can provide not only light but a view of whether that be day and night. During the day a view of the skylight and clouds is your base line view. In a loft setting and the right location that view can be anything from a city skyline or a wonderful natural environment. Indirectly the view of the home interior completely changes when the abundant light blasts the room with light from the skylight. A stairway, for example, can be drastically changed and become a feature of a home as opposed to just a stairway.
Fresh Air - Venting skylights give us the ability to regulate the interior temperature of the home on a functional level. For example, over a stairway on the top floor of the home, a skylight will pull the air from the lower floors via convection. In the summer months, this can really reduce the humidity on the top floor of the home.
Roof windows in a loft that are typically within arms reach are closer relative to wall windows they help with more of a cross breeze and often do a better job. However, the combination of windows and skylights together is a match made in heaven.
Mood - There is substantial evidence showing the benefits of how a skylight or a well-lit home can reduce stress due to the balance of your circadian rhythm being more in tune due to more light in the home. And who doesn't like drinking a morning coffee in a more lit room :)