It’s the nature of physics: Building materials expand in the heat and contract in the cold. With the polar vortex winter cold, wood, concrete, steel and other materials are shrinking even more than during a typical winter. So what does this mean for the roofing system and in particular skylights?
How Winter Cold Affects Skylights
The materials on your roof are contracting in winter cold, but the skylight is a set size. Unless the skylight was properly installed with adequate sealing and flashing, winter contraction sets the stage for the skylight to leak. As winter snow melts, water can seep in around the seal, which may have ruptured with the shifting and contracting of building materials.
If the skylights become covered with snow, leaves, or other debris, water is unable to drain away from the skylight. The longer water sits on the skylight and seal, the greater the likelihood that water will penetrate the seal and cause a leak.
Anytime water leaks in through the roof, there’s the potential for wood rot, mold, and mildew. Unless you’re regularly checking in the attic or leaking water causes discoloration of ceilings, you may not notice there’s a problem until your home has sustained serious damage.
Protect Your Home With Skylight Repair
Since leaky skylights can cause significant damage to your home, it’s important that you monitor your skylights and schedule repair as soon as you notice anything unusual. If you notice water leaking in or dripping from the skylight, the seal has failed. Discoloration on ceilings or walls, peeling paint or wallpaper, or a musty small all indicate potential skylight failure.
If the skylight shows condensation, the problem is with the pressurized gases in between the panes of glass, and not with the seal.
Once the seal has failed, the skylight should be replaced with a new skylight. Proper skylight installation from a licensed contractor will not only extend the lifetime of the skylight (to save you money) but will help you avoid leaks, roof damage, and other home problems.
Schedule Skylight Repair
Get your skylights ready for the warm weather—and get peace of mind by finding and fixing any issues before they compound, leading to significant damage and pricier repairs. Schedule a skylight service with Brandstetter’s KangaRoof, the Cincinnati area’s leading roofing company and skylight repair service. Get an estimate online or call today: 513.713.0418.
