One of the most common residential roofing repairs is fixing a skylight leak. A leaking skylight is not only an eyesore; it can damage your ceilings, drywall, and can be an indicator of much more serious, hidden damage.
If there are signs that a skylight is leaking, don’t try the “wait and see approach”. You should call a roofing professional and get it fixed as soon as possible. Otherwise, the next downpour could cause thousands of dollars in water damage.
Skylights are notoriously difficult to seal properly and once they’re leaking it’s rarely an easy fix. So we highly recommend calling a professional roofer. However, there are a couple things you can try yourself to rule out a smaller problem.
Diagnosing a Skylight Leak
The first step is to find the leak’s source. This will require a comprehensive inspection. In most cases, calling a professional will be necessary because the source of a leak can often be difficult to find.
Determine if the leak is actually excessive condensation that has moved to the underside of the glass and dripped to the interior of the glass. This is usually seen when the weather is colder and the skylight is in damper locations, such as the kitchen or bathroom.
If the skylight opens, then it is important to ensure it is fully closed and that the weather seals are still in good condition. When you call a roofer, they will inspect other potential causes of a leak, including the roof penetrations or vent flashing.
A skylight, like all windows, is made up of a pane of glass surrounded by a frame (usually metal). Leaks can occur:
In between the glass and the frame — This happens from a worn or weathered seal in the skylight itself.
In between the frame and the roof — This is a roof problem. Either the skylight wasn’t installed correctly or the flashing and seal around it have become worn.
If the leak is between the glass and frame of the skylight, you may be able to fix it by caulking around the glass with clear silicone caulk. Keep in mind that when water has infiltrated this seal, the skylight may look permanently foggy from moisture getting in between the panes of glass. The only way to fix this is with a new skylight.
Calling for Professional Help
Don’t ignore a leaking skylight! For skylight repair or replacement, trust the experts at Horch Roofing. Our repair team can help determine the underlying issue and what can be done to prevent similar issues down the road. We understand skylights and how to ensure they remain in good condition and that they let in just light, not water or wind.
Horch Roofing is coastal Maine’s trusted roofing contractor. We have been roofing homes from Kittery to Castine since 2003 and serve the communities of Maine from our offices in Warren and Westbrook. We also have a dedicated Northern Maine sales estimator serving Hancock County and Bar Harbor. Horch Roofing installs and repairs Metal Roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofing, EPDM Rubber Roofing, and Seamless Gutters for both residential and commercial roofing projects. We offer free roofing and gutter replacement estimates. You can call us at (207) 273-1111, visit us at 2414 Camden Road in Warren, or contact us online.