How to Stop a Skylight From Leaking
Skylights are an ingenious way to bring natural sunlight to rooms and areas that lack wall surfaces to support regular windows. Unfortunately, skylights don’t come without flaws. The roof is more exposed to the elements and has different installation and insulation layers. A skylight’s seal can deteriorate and leak water into the house. It’s vital to resolve the leak as soon as it is noticed. Here’s our advice on how to stop a skylight leak.
Diagnosing a leaking skylight
Before calling a contractor, check to see whether the skylight is fully closed. If the skylight is jammed and can’t close entirely, water and outside air will infiltrate no matter what measures are undertaken.
Additionally, determine what causes the water to appear around the skylight. If the skylight is in a room prone to condensation, like a bathroom or a kitchen, the visible water might be coming from the condensed vapor after longer showers or meals. In that case, you’ll need to consider improving ventilation since excess moisture can damage the walls from the inside.
If the skylight is newly installed and has leaks around the seal during rainfall, chances are the installation was done incorrectly and will need to be revised. Rain can collect on the skylight, and any leaks in the seal will allow water to pass through the barrier and into the home. Over time, the problem will only get worse, so we recommend contacting a qualified construction company or contractor to reapply a sealant or adjust the skylight accordingly.
The best way to locate the skylight leak is to inspect it from the outside. While that might require some safety equipment, it will allow a homeowner to check the areas most prone to failure and cracks quickly. Use a garden hose and run a light stream of water to determine where the skylight leaks.
How to repair skylight leaks
Once the location of the leak has been identified, use either a caulking gun and silicone or cement to seal the gap.
Silicone caulking is used to seal the gap around the skylight lens. Unfortunately, if the glass is damaged, the only option is to replace the skylight entirely.
On the other hand, if the leak is due to a gap in the roofing, you’ll need some roofing cement to seal it. If you have prior experience with roofing, feel free to DIY the project. Otherwise, contact a professional roofing company to assess the situation and make the needed repairs.
If the skylight still leaks, but any holes around the seal have been treated, the problem might be elsewhere. Some roof leaks can resemble skylight leaks and be a hassle to diagnose correctly and fix. In those cases, the best course of action is contacting a qualified roofing contractor.
Patterson Construction Company installs and repairs residential roofs of all kinds, skylights, roof ventilation, fascia and underlayment on Phoenix-area homes. Call 602-825-3638 for a free quote today!
