Skylight Window Sealing: Mistakes to Avoid

Having a skylight window is an affordable way to bring in some additional light to brighten up your home. Improper skylight window sealing, damaged roofing components and corroded roof flashings are some of the major causes of house leaks. Maintaining and checking your skylight windows from time to time should be a simple cleaning routine. It's always better to prepare before the rainy days come. The problem with these skylights happens during the rainy season, when water eventually accumulates in them and then leaks over time. When water builds up on its surface, it usually goes through very tiny holes created by heating and thawing, and then drips into your home. Sealing your skylight window can be a tedious task. You will need good knowledge and the appropriate materials for your efforts to work.

Clean the Skylight Window First

Before working on your window, make sure that you've removed all the dirt and debris. The use of stiff bristled brushes is highly recommended to tidy the entire surface. Broken sealants should be removed as well.

Avoid Improper Installations

Poor skylight window installation will eventually lead to windows that don't close securely. You have to ensure that this device has been installed properly. Windows that are not fastened well can allow moisture to remain in the window's barren spaces. When this happens, make sure that you don't use roofing cements or caulk, because this will just worsen the defect and you may need to call on a specialist for reinstallation.

Don't Use Generic Adhesives and Sealants

When checking seals around the window, be sure to order your sealants from the manufacturer. There are recommended sealants for the job. Good quality sealants include those that are made from silicone and urethane roofing cements.

Make sure that you check the window edges as well. Sometimes the seals are in good condition, but leaking still occurs. Check the flashing and the part where the skylight window meets the roof. This is one of the common areas where leaks can be found. Low pitched roofs are more prone to water leaks, because they don't drain water as effectively as the high pitched ones. The problem with the flashings then typically arises. Most shingles don't leak unless they've been damaged or they're too old and need replacements.

For regions that always experience heavy snowfall, the leak problem can become a little complicated. The downward pattern of the shingles usually prevents these roof leaks, but if there's too much snow or water deposits, the water can eventually leak upwards, causing a lot of problems. You may have to purchase special products designed to prevent ice from leaking through the windows.

Patching Sealants and Roofing Cements

Seal the flashing area near the skylight window. Make sure that you push the shingles down around the areas where flashing meets the roof. Try to apply roofing cement to the shingles and to the overlaps. Pay careful detail to the edges of these areas.