Potential Skylight Problems and Mitigation Measures

A properly installed skylight can illuminate your house with natural lighting. However, you might suffer skylight problems if you don't get professional skylight installation or maintain your skylight properly. Below are some of the potential problems with skylights.

Leaks

Leaks are some of the most common skylight problems. Your skylight might leak if:

• The skylight doesn't fit properly. Amateur installers are more likely to make installation mistakes than professional installers are.
• The insulation around the skylight has deteriorated.
• Corrosion or damage has interfered with the flashing around the skylight. The problem is common on old roofs.
• The skylight material has cracked. Skylight glass is particularly vulnerable to cracks.

To prevent or cure skylight leaks, you should:

• Have a professional contractor install your skylight
• Replace damaged parts, such as flashing
• Don't step on the skylight when on the roof

Deal with a professional contractor on all your skylight-related issues to preempt most of these problems.

Condensation

In some cases, you might think that your skylight is leaking while, in the real sense, condensation is the issue. Skylight condensation occurs if your indoor environment is humid. When the humid air hits the skylight, it condenses and drips down – much like a leak. The problem is particularly common during the cold seasons.

One way to prevent skylight condensation is to reduce your indoor humidity. Another tip is to use a double-glazed glass for the skylight. With double-glazing, the underside of the skylight is unlikely to be cold enough to condense moisture.

Energy Inefficiency

Your skylight might contribute to energy inefficiency during both the summer and winter. Some heat from outside might penetrate the skylight and increase your indoor temperature during the summer. As such, your cooling system will then have to spend extra energy to cool your house.

Some of the heat meant to warm your house will escape outside during the winter. Thus, your heating system will have to work extra hard to keep your house warm. Both problems occur because the skylight isn't as insulated as the rest of the roof, so its thermal conductivity is high.

Fortunately, your skylight doesn't have to be energy inefficient.

• Use the right orientation, for example, by installing the skylights on east or west-facing slopes to minimize heat gain.
• Size the skylight properly. Ideally, the skylight should not occupy more than 5% of the room below it if the room has multiple windows.
• Ensure you insulate the skylight properly.
• Use skylight shades or blinds.
• Use tubular skylights that don't expose too much of the roof's surface to the sun.

As you can see, skylights' energy inefficiency is only a problem with poorly designed or installed skylights. Professional installation will cure all that.

Ice Damming

Lastly, you might also experience ice damming due to your skylight. As mentioned above, some skylights suffer from poor sealing or installation. In such cases, heat from inside the house will keep the skylight warmer than surrounding roof surfaces during the cold season.

Due to the temperature difference, snow on and around the skylight might melt while the snow on the surrounding roof surfaces remains solid. The water collected above the skylight might seep through and leak into your house.

Proper insulation and sealing around the skylight may help. However, you should also have ice and water shielding on the roof. That way, any water that collects above the skylight won't penetrate through the roof.

Your skylight will only be a blessing if you get everything right. All American Roofing has the experience and skills to handle all forms of skylight issues. Contact us whether you want skylight work or other forms of roofing services. You can rely on our professionalism and experience to give you quality work.