Skylights can be beautiful and useful additions to any roof, but as many roofers can attest, they can also become roofing repair nightmares.

Many homeowners end up paying for costly roof leak repairs due to problems with their skylights, making these pleasing components a little less wonderful.

How can this common need for roofing company services to repair skylight leaks be prevented?

The key is understanding the main reasons why skylights leak and avoid them!

1. Improper Skylight Installation

The most common reason why homeowners experience leaks from their skylights is that it was not installed correctly in the first place.

A skylight must be put in by an experienced roofer, as this service requires a precise technique to ensure the opening is sized correctly so there are no leaks.

Skylight positioning is also very important, as there are areas on the roof that can leave a skylight more susceptible to leaks.

The most important way to prevent these problems and avoid associated roof leak repairs is to hire an installer experienced with skylights who is known for making leak-free installations.

2. Installing Onto An Aging Roof

A prerequisite for a leak-free skylight installation is a roof that is in good condition.

Asking a roofing company to install skylights onto a roof with old or damaged shingles or a roof that is close to its replacement age is a leak just waiting to happen.

Unless the roofing materials around the skylight are in their best condition, their ability to remain watertight around a large protrusion like a skylight is limited.

Instead, homeowners are recommended to wait until they invest in a new roofing installation to have their skylights put in, as a watertight and correct installation is more possible then.

3. Flashing Problems

Flashing and seals are crucial for keeping roof protrusions like skylights watertight.

When flashings become damaged or are simply not installed correctly, roof leak repairs around skylights become a common necessity.

Skylight flashing must be expertly installed and then frequently inspected as well as repaired to prevent leaks that can result in serious roofing damage.

4. Damage To The Skylight

Another cause of skylight leaks often identified by roofers is a problem with the skylight itself.

Skylights that open are produced with rubber gaskets around the window edges that keep the component watertight when it is closed.

That rubber can dry rot after some time, become damaged, or be faulty from the start.

Avoid this problem by inspecting the rubber seals around opening skylight windows often and replacing either the gasket or the entire window itself if it starts to leak.

Cracked skylight glass can also leak if the crack goes all the way through the glass.

5. Condensation

A less obvious cause of skylight leaks that roofing companies often see is simple condensation.

Whether due to warm air inside the home or cold air affecting the outside of a skylight, condensation can form on the inside of the glass and cause a leak.

Condensation that drips directly off the glass may be a minor problem, but if that moisture leaks into the seals and skylight surroundings, roofing damage is possible.

Professional Installation Avoids Skylight Roof Leak Repairs

Whether putting in skylights for the first time or troubleshooting a damaged one, always hire a roofer experienced in these installations who knows how to prevent and repair skylight leaking.

In doing so, homeowners can get the most enjoyment from their skylights without dealing with expensive roof leak repairs that can become problematic over the years.

Professional installation and inspection by a qualified roofing company reduce the chance of ongoing problems that could result in serious roofing damage!