Skylights can offer a great addition to the aesthetics of your home. They allow for natural light and can open up smaller rooms. Like with any home addition, there are some common issues a homeowner may run into. Below are a few of the most common issues with an installed Skylight and steps to get you started addressing them.
Weather Damage to a Skylight
Skylights sit on the top of a home and tend to be a magnet for the elements. Severe weather can wreak havoc on the exterior home and may cause damage to your Skylight in the process. Hail, hurricanes, tornados, or debris from heavy storms are common items that often damage skylights. This is more common with older material that has broken down and becomes brittle with age. Generally, this will require repair or replacement of the main shell of the skylight. It may be time to upgrade to a more long-term material in the process. A professional installer will be able to guide you through the options of new material available on the market that should hold up better during severe weather.
Leaking Around a Skylight
Sun is a harsh element on the top of your home. Older or improperly installed skylights will begin to leak over time. The material used to seal the skylight will break down with age and will need to be resealed. Take a look around your skylight on the roof and inside your home. If you see water collection or signs of water damage, it is time to begin looking into resealing. You will want to make sure you properly clean up the skylight to make sure the new seal holds.
You may want to work with a professional when reviewing your skylight leaks. The seal is not always the only issue. It might have not been installed properly and the style of mounting could be the root cause for the leak. This will be a bit of a bigger project and will require professional assistance to address the issue.
Low Energy Efficiency Skylights
Depending on the material your older skylight consists of, you can lose a lot of energy from your home. Older acrylic skylights do little to block heat from the sun coming into your home. This in turn means you will have higher bills trying to cool down the heat introduced. There are several ways to address this and range in cost and timeline of the solution. Adding a tint to the current material can help block some of that heat. The more expensive long-term option would be to replace the skylight with a more energy-efficient material.
There is no need to try and attack your skylight repair or replacement on your own. Specialty Home Products is a company of seasoned professionals. Reach out today to get assistance with your skylight project. It does not matter if you are looking to update, repair, replace, or add a new skylight to your home. Specialty Home Products will help you get a start, the right way.