Leaks In Your Home? It May Be Your Skylight
Skylights are relatively inexpensive, and they can make your home look far more opulent than originally imagined. In addition, skylights are the perfect way to let light into areas of your home that do not normally receive that much light. Although skylights are usually quite airtight, like all windows, they are subject to damage. If you’re experiencing a leak in your home, there is a chance that it could be your skylight. Throughout this brief article, you’ll learn the signs of a problem skylight, possible causes of the leak, and when you should repair versus when you should replace your damaged skylight.
Signs Of A Problem Skylight
There are numerous ways you can identify a problem skylight. The first way to identify a problem skylight is the most blatant. From the ground floor, can you tell that the leak has obviously originated from the skylight? Sometimes the leak can be quite obvious, with water simply pouring from the skylight into your home. Likewise, if, from where you’re standing, you can see obvious cracks in the skylight’s glass pane, chances are, the source of your leak has originated from the skylight.
If the skylight does not appear to be cracked but you have damp ceilings, strong drafts, discoloration near the skylight or if your skylight collects condensation that never seems to clear up, it is most likely due to a problem with your skylight.
Possible Causes Of A Leak
There is an entire litany of possible causes of a skylight related leak, but here are a few of them. Obviously, the most common form of skylight leakage is direct, cracked glass. If your skylight has a crack or has spiderwebbed, which means the crack has expanded and spread to the point where it looks like a spiderweb, then this is most likely a definitive cause of leakage.
The source of the skylight leak may be less obvious. If the glass on your skylight isn’t cracked, the next step is to check all of the sealed off areas of your skylight.
Get out your ladder and climb onto your roof to examine the exterior of the skylight. You should check to make sure that the glass has not detached from the moulding or windowpane. This is a common problem among older skylights and if this is the case, chances are, this might be the cause of your leak. You should also examine the flashing around the skylight, looking for areas where it has started to peel from the roof or cracked.
When To Repair VS When To Replace
After identifying a skylight as the source of a leak, the next question on your mind will most likely be: what do I do next? Well, there are essentially two answers to that question. You can either repair or replace the skylight. Under the best conditions, a simple repair job will do. If it is the case that you have open joints in the flashing, or an open seam, this is most definitely an easy repair. Simply caulk the offending areas thoroughly and efficiently and wait for the next rain; if you’re not experiencing a leak: voila! You did it. The offending area is repaired. However, if you are experiencing extensive leakage, or you have a cracked or spiderwebbed pane, it is most definitely time to call in a professional like Economy Glass Ltd for glass repair, or to have the glass replaced entirely.
Skylights are generally considered quite resilient, but they can be damaged from time to time. Although they add a certain perceived value to your home, as well as adding an actual use value in the form of added natural light, they can destroy your home slowly if they are leaking. If you have a trouble leak in your home and just can’t figure out where it is coming from, check your skylight as a possible source.
