This area can have the most beautiful skies at any time of the day or night. To enjoy those skies, many homeowners have enjoyed their skylights all year long. Even though these additions can bring natural light into a home during the day, and show the stars off at night, they can also have problems, like leaks. When that happens, for the best results, hiring a professional for skylight repair is recommended, and when you need help with skylight repair in Gresham, OR our team can be there for you. Reach out to us at 503-753-1664 if you’d like to speak to one of our professionals.
In most instances, yes, skylight repairs are possible for a leaking skylight. The first step in the repair process is to determine where the leak is coming from, and surprisingly, it may not be the skylight!
First, before starting skylight repairs, you need to determine if you have a leaking skylight or is simply condensation dripping from the glass. Condensation is common in rooms that have a high humidity level, such as the bathroom or a laundry room, even a kitchen. This is caused when warm air rises up to the cold skylight, much like when cold outdoor air meets the warm windows of your car or home.
This doesn’t require any skylight repair, but you can take steps to control the humidity and eliminate that water dripping. Simply improving the ventilation will do the trick! Install a ceiling fan in the room or place a portable fan or dehumidifier on the roof. There are anti-fogging products available in any home improvement store as well.
In addition to condensation coming from a skylight, repairs are typically needed because of normal wear and tear and other possible reasons such as:
An improperly installed skylight is wasting energy and can begin to leak due to poor sealing. This skylight repair is best done by a professional contractor that works with skylights.
When a roof is installed on a home, there is metal flashing installed in areas that tend to leak, such as the chimney, valleys, and around skylights. When the flashing is loose or missing around a skylight, repairing or replacing that flashing may be the fix you need.
When a skylight isn’t properly installed, it allows moisture infiltration of rain or ice and snow melt. Calling a professional who specializes in skylight installation and skylight repairs is the best way to stop any leaking.
While the skylights are letting in the natural light, they are also exposed to constant UV rays. These UV rays are causing radiation damage, causing the skylight to overheat, leading to malfunction and leak. The best skylight repair for this is to keep the recommended maintenance done on the skylight, like routine cleaning with the appropriate cleaning product. The contractor that installs the skylight can advise the best cleaning products that won’t damage the glass.
A skylight that is improperly installed will have ice dams form just below the skylight as the ice and snow sit on the warm glass and melt. That melted ice and snow will re-freeze when the temperatures drop, and that freezing, melting, and refreezing will damage the skylight seal. A skylight repair is to have the seals replaced, and having it inspected when you have the roof inspected will allow you to keep a watch on the seal wearing out.
As snow melts, the water can infiltrate through the skylight, begin leaking, and cause moisture damage that can get expensive and extensive. To stop this, check the seals and make any skylight repairs needed like replacing the seals.
Some skylight installations are done with roofing cement. Over time, this can become damaged and begin to deteriorate, leading to a leaking skylight. Repairing this problem can be done by a professional roofer who is experienced in skylights.
The life expectancy of a skylight will depend on the quality of the skylight and the installation process. The average is between 8 to 15 years, but today, thanks to technology, a skylight can last up to 30 years! If you have an older skylight, you may consider having it replaced and minimizing those expensive skylight repairs for the issues we just listed.
This will depend on the problem causing the skylight to leak. Leaking skylight repairs can start around $200 and go up to $1000 for labor and materials.
The biggest concern of insurance companies is that the skylight meets all standards that make the skylight safe. So, as long as the skylight fits those standards as specified by the insurance company, and the skylight was properly installed, skylight repairs will be covered under the roofing clause of your policy.
If you currently have a skylight or have one installed, should you expect it to eventually leak? Not necessarily! If you have a quality skylight and it was installed as recommended by the manufacturer, you shouldn’t expect any problems requiring skylight repairs for at least 20 years. When you’re ready for skylight repair in Gresham, OR just give us a call. Reach out today at 503-753-1664.
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