Why Do I Have A Leaking Skylight?

If you already have a skylight then you probably know just how great it can be. Natural light has many health enhancing qualities and of course the light, warmth and beauty provided by a skylight serve to make having one of these in your home an easy decision. But what if you have a leaking skylight?

Several things can cause this, but most of the time, if your skylight is leaking it simply means it was not installed correctly. This is even more common among those who decide to save a few dollars and do the installation themselves. But even hiring a handyman is not always enough. Your leaking skylight should have been installed by a professional roofer. The roofer knows construction, and will fit the skylight to the roof around it. Without this, the results can be problematic at best. And if it's not fixed properly, the problems will only become worse.

Use A Roofer To Fix Your Leaky Skylight

Honestly, this can get expensive. A roofing contractor would much rather work on installing a new roof. It pays better. So some tend to overcharge for do a repair job like this. All that means is you'll need to shop around a little bit. There are contractors available that will do this at a reasonable price. It will still cost more than bringing in a handyman. But you want an expert to do this job and have it fitted correctly. The difference is worth it.

Why Is My Skylight Leaking?

It may not be just the installation. It only takes a small crack or blemish on the skylight to create a big problem. The problem could be in the panels around the skylight, or it could be the roof itself that is causing the leak. The person fixing it should be knowledgeable in all of these possibilities.

Naturally extreme conditions can create the leak as well. An errant golf shot or baseball, or even a very large hailstorm can create problems. Whatever the cause, it needs to be fixed immediately. Letting the problem go can create further problems in the skylight, the roof, or even the inside of your home.

What About Skylight Condensation?

A small drip from a skylight has often caused panic and sleepless nights for homeowners. But the problem may not be as bad as it seems. You may not actually have a leak. Perhaps your problem is simply condensation, especially if you live in extreme conditions. It's not unusual for things like washing machines, dryers, or even a hot bath to cause condensation inside a skylight. Condensation will of course eventually drip, and you're left feeling like your skylight is leaking.

When the weather gets cold, the problem becomes worse. A little ice or snow outside is guaranteed to cause some condensation inside the skylight. If you have double glazing, even the smallest crack will allow the condensation to get between the glass panes.

The Damage A Leaking Skylight Can Cause

In the short term, a leaky skylight will probably not cause much damage at all. But remember we said it needs to be fixed right away? That's because long term the damage can become significant. Be sure to verify that those drops that came down are the result of condensation and not the first sign of a leak. The last thing you want to do is end up replacing your carpet, flooring or wallpaper. And a leaking skylight could be the result of a larger problem with your roof. Have it checked out as soon as possible.