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You have had a skylight in your home for some years and now that it's showing its age, you may be planning on replacing it. It should be a pretty straightforward job because the old skylight never gave you any problems in terms of leaks or roof damage for a long time. Doing it yourself or getting a local handyman or contractor to do the job should be quick and hassle-free. That’s where you may be very wrong. And wrong in a way that could lead to serious roof damage and a huge repair bill. The point to keep in mind is that skylight replacement is as demanding a job as the original installation. In some cases, it is even harder because it's easy to think that all the hard work has already been done and that putting in the new skylight is just a matter of pulling out the old one and slotting in the new unit. That’s not the case and here’s why.
• The new skylight has to be of the right size. It may seem too obvious to even say, but unless the replacement is professionally done, even a minute discrepancy in the size, which could simply go unnoticed, could cause leaks and other problems.
• If the new skylight is not handled with care, it could be damaged during transportation or installation and this will also cause leakage problems.
• If the flashing is damaged either while removing the old skylight or installing a new one, there will be leaks. It is the flashing that seals the skylight to the roof and it functions as a watertight barrier.
• Flashing can start to corrode and crack with time. If the already damaged flashing is not replaced along with the skylight, leaks are bound to occur.
• Skylights have very small holes around the edges of the glass. These are known as weep holes and their function is to allow any water that collects on the inside of the glass due to condensation, to drain away. If the holes become blocked during the installation process, water will build up and start dripping down into the house.
• If the insulation is not proper, condensation may develop even if the weep holes are open.
The Dangers Of Leakage
Leakage from a skylight is not just messy, it is both a possible source of structural damage and also a health risk.
• Water is the enemy of paint. Even a small amount of dampness can cause paint to peel or bubble. At the very least there will be staining which will require costly repainting.
• Wood absorbs moisture and when it becomes too damp, it can expand and warp. This weakens the wood and in the worst case, it could affect the integrity of the roof, making it weak and prone to collapse.
• If the dampness reaches drywall and the electrical conduits with it, the walls may be damaged and the risk of short circuits and the resulting fires increases.
• Water dripping from the skylight can land on your furniture, furnishings and carpets, causing a lot of damage.
• Unnoticed wet patches on the floors caused by water dripping from the skylight can cause falls and often serious injury.
• Any dampness in the structure, even if it is not out in the open, can cause mold, mildew, and fungus formation. These can cause anything from allergic reactions to life-threatening sicknesses.
Have It Done Right
Getting expert skylight replacement means that you do not have to worry about the new skylight giving you problems that require expensive repair. Expert installation means hassle-free enjoyment of the natural light that enters your home. Sunlight Concepts offers expert professionally done skylight replacements in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are leaders in the installation and replacement of all types of skylights. Solatube is the global leader in skylight technology and we are the company’s Premier Dealers. Replacing your old worn skylight is a simple 3-step process:
1. You call
2. We come and measure
3. When the new skylight is ready, we come and install it
Contact us to find out more about the best in skylight replacement and our other products and services.
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