For centuries, roofs have been a good way of keeping your home safe from rain, snow, and heavy winds. Since most roofs do not let in natural light, many would use artificial ways of producing light which is usually through the use of fluorescent bulbs, candles, and other sources of light. On the other hand, skylights are one of the more creative ways of letting light into your home without having to place a large passageway for water and snow to flow into.
However, skylights are also a bit tricky to install and remove. If ever a skylight is improperly installed, this could inadvertently lead to leaks and several other problems for your roof.
While spotting a leaking skylight may seem obvious, there are actually a few other things that you have to look out fot.
Of course, the most obvious way of finding leaks in the roof of your house is by looking at the floor that’s directly above your skylights. Dripping water is the most common sign that your roof is leaking.
Just because water isn’t dripping from your skylight, it doesn’t mean that moisture isn’t getting inside your roof’s interiors. The build-up of moisture can lead to the formation of mold, mildew, moss and other organic growths that can slowly hasten roof damage.
Aside from the damage that builds up over time, your roof is likely to start leaking due to a number of other causes.
Flashings are one of the most important components that function in redirecting water towards the right gutter systems. However, if these are damaged or misplaced, then this can do more harm than good. Damaged flashing can inadvertently direct water towards internal roof structures, damaging your roof and skylight.
If you’re using roof cement for your skylights, this can also be a source of leaks. The constant flow of water can erode and cause cracks to form on your roof cement. Cracks and crevices are one of the most prevalent causes for leaking skylights.
If your panes are not properly sealed, then water and moisture can easily seep towards the gaps. When this happens, the water gets in and damages the structure and can also enter other parts of the roof.
Obviously, another man-made factor that can cause leaks is the improper installation of your skylights. To prevent this, it’s best to hire a licensed and professional-trained roofing specialist that can properly install your skylights.
There’s really no one way of repairing your skylights since this will completely depend on what type of leak and damage has affected the structure. However, the first thing that homeowners should work to prevent on their skylights and roofs is the formation of condensation and build-up of moisture since this can lead to fungal and organic growths.
Here’s a checklist of what you can do for your leaky skylights:
Compromised flashings are one of the main reasons why your skylight may be leaking. Even if you think that water won’t be able to pass through some of the smallest gaps, moisture and condensations can still occur. It’s recommended that homeowners apply a polyester membrane for the best impermeability
There will be times that your flashing is damaged and rusted beyond repair. If this is the case, it’s best to replace your flashings to stop leaks.
If the dripping is coming from the pane and body of the skylights, then it’s best to reseal it through some silicone caulking.
Ultimately, removing and repairing leaky and troublesome skylights is the best way to extend the lifespan of your roof and your roof’s interiors, but this has to be done properly so that damage will be minimized. Roofing specialists would recommend that air sealing your skylights is one of the best ways of keeping moisture and water from entering your roof. To achieve this end, most roofers would suggest removing the surrounding roofing structures of the skylight before removing it.
The removal of skylights and roof covers is usually done when leaks or other major forms of damage occur. The best way to go about this process is to find a skilled roofing team to handle this major roofing Bridgewater NJ need.
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