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Skylights can be a great addition to your property, providing natural light, the feeling of spaciousness, even lowering your utility bills. Yet, a leaky skylight can be an expensive road to major roof, drywall, and floor damage.

For starters, skylights must be installed correctly if you’re planning to enjoy them. Inspections and maintenance are critical as well, but even if you take good care of your roof, skylight leaks may develop as a result of normal wear and tear.

Fortunately, many skylight leak repairs can be done quickly and inexpensively. Knowing what to look for can make any necessary repairs easier and more cost effective.

Skylight Leak Repairs: Finding the Source

Flashing Issues

When you notice water leaking from your skylight, the first step you must take is to locate the leak’s source. Water stains on the ceiling or puddles on the floor may be the first indicators of a problem. These can actually be great tools for identifying the source of the leak.

If the stain’s highest point is located at or near the top of your skylight, this may indicate a problem with flashing of the skylight. During bad weather, water rushing down the side of the roof at high speeds may run between the roof’s shingles and the skylight, creating leaks.

NEXT STEP: Make sure your roof’s flashing and seal are properly replaced by a professional roofer.

Condensation Problems

If you notice a stain at the bottom of your skylight, the problem may be due to excess condensation. Too much condensation in or around the inside of your skylight is another common cause of leaks. Condensation is a natural result of humidity, and often builds up during rain storms. When too much condensation gets trapped in part of a skylight, it may create leaks.

Closely inspect the condensation channel – the part of the skylight that is designed to catch any excess condensation and allow it to evaporate back into the air. If this channel becomes damaged or clogged, the resulting build-up of condensation may cause your skylight to leak.

Problems related to excess condensation may be worsened by skylight tunnels. Skylight tunnels reduce air flow, which increases humidity. Making sure your skylight tunnel is well-insulated can dramatically reduce the amount of condensation that builds up in this area, which can help you avoid skylight leaks.

NEXT STEP: Have your contractor check condensation channels and skylight tunnels!

Handle Skylight Leak Repairs Right AWay

Skylight leak repairs are among the most common roof leak repairs typical roofers are dealing with. When it comes to repairing leaks in your skylight, the sooner you act the better so make sure to address any leaks as soon as you notice them. Knowing where to start and what to look for can help you save time, effort, and money on your skylight leak repairs.

Some skylight leaks are simple and are easily handled by do-it-yourself homeowners, but if you’re experiencing severe interior effects, such as ceiling staining or flooring damage, call LGC Roofing contractors to inquire about our skylight leak repair services.

Family-owned and operated, we are is a reputable roofer known for honesty, integrity and cost-effective pricing. Our dedicated roofing professionals have over 30 years of roofing experience, and we’re familiar with the ins & outs of virtually every type of skylight system. Skylights are a functional and environmentally friendly way to bring natural light into dimly lit rooms, create a feeling of spaciousness, reduce growing monthly utility bills and ward off the winter blues.

Yet, while the benefits of skylights are enjoyed year-round by many homeowners, a leaky skylight can be an expensive road to major roof, drywall, carpet and flooring damage.

The bad news? Finding the source of a skylight leak can be tricky. So how do you know if your skylight’s really the problem? This is where an inspection comes in – preferably by a contractor with extensive experience and know-how. The good news? Most skylight leaks occurs in the flashing, and often replacing it will solve the problem.

Read on to learn how to diagnose a leaky skylight yourself, then check our quick skylight repair tips to find out what works – but proceed with caution as botched repairs can become a major problem down the road!

4 Steps to Diagnosing & Repairing Leaky Skylights

Ask yourself the following 4 questions:

Call Professionals For Help!

Skylight repairs can be tricky, and often lead to more problems if not handled by a professional.

If you have a roof leak and believe it’s originating at your skylight contact LGC Roofing for help. With nearly three decades of experience, we have the skills necessary to handle your repairs promptly and quickly. We’ll evaluate your skylight and surrounding shingles, and recommend roof leak repairs that will fit your budget and remedy your water problems.

Call (609) 712-8157 in NJ or (215) 932-7850 in PA to schedule a no-obligation inspection—before your leaky skylight leads to structural damage or costly home repairs. Skylights can be a wonderful feature in most homes. They bring additional natural light into your environment, making rooms feel more spacious, expansive and inviting. In addition, this increased natural light can also help decrease your energy costs.

As with just about any feature of your home, proper skylight installation, regular maintenance and repairs done the right way are all equally important in extending the life of your skylights.

5 Fall Skylight Maintenance & Repair Tips

With winter around the corner, it’s a great time to inspect skylights and perform some routine maintenance.

Hire An Experienced Roofing Contractor Many skylight repairs need to be handled by trained professionals and LGC Roofing contractors are ready to get the job done – and get it done right the first time.

Family owned and operated, we are one of New Jersey’s leading roofing contractors, with 30+ years of experience in roofing installation and repair and hundreds of satisfied customers. We only install the best products and our work is always guaranteed!

If you notice any issues with your skylights and would like help handling repairs, give us a call at (609) 712-8157 in NJ or (215) 932-7850 in PA and request a thorough inspection. Our family-owned team offers fast, friendly service and provides free estimates for all of your skylight and roofing repairs! Spring has arrived—with its unpredictable moisture patterns, gale-force winds and leftover snowstorms. For New Jersey homeowners, that often means pesky roof leaks galore—in many common locations.

3 Common Roof Leak Locations – Prevention and Repair Tips

There are certain areas where roof leaks tend to develop more easily: around chimneys, skylights and in roof valleys. Let’s discuss each in more detail.

Leaking Chimneys

Whether it’s due to aging caulk, cracked cement caps or flashing problems, chimneys are one of the biggest problem areas when it comes to leaks. Many (but not all) chimney leaks can be repaired by peeling off old, dried caulking and roof sealant from around the chimney’s base. Inspect each area of flashing for cracks or damage, and replace flashing as needed.

To improve the integrity of your flashing, remember to use a high-quality, flashing cement to re-caulk the area (rather than traditional roofing cements and sealants). If you have a more invasive leak caused by cracked mortar joints, stone or brick displacement, consider calling your local roofer who will perform a thorough roof inspection. The goal is to diagnose and repair the damage quickly.

Leaks Around Skylights

Finding the source of a skylight leak can be tricky, however most skylight leaks occur in the flashing, which marks the point of contact between the skylight and the roof. Often, simply replacing the flashing will solve the leak problem. Another issue is improper installation, in which case skylight leak repair can be a real headache. Other, less common reasons behind skylight leaks are:

Leaks in Roof Valleys

When two portions of your roof intersect, the resulting line is called a “valley.” Valleys typically contain a type of metal flashing, but in some cases, shingles or tiles may just butt up against one another. Either way, valleys are a common source for roof leaks. If your roof valleys contain metal flashing, it’s possible that the shingles were improperly cut, allowing water to leak behind faulty shingle tips and seep into your attic or down your walls. Valley leaks tend to be more complex to repair than other types of damage, so it’s best to have a contractor handle your roof valley repairs.

Give Your Roofer a Call!

If repairing your leaky roof seems overwhelming, contact LGC Roofing, a family-owned & operated NJ-based roofing contractor in business since 1985! Whether your roof needs an inspection, a little patchwork or an overhaul, our insured and licensed professionals are trained to get the job done right—and our work is always guaranteed!

Call 609-712-8157 in NJ or (215) 932-7850 in PA to schedule your inspection today! Skylights can be an excellent source of natural heat in the chilly New Jersey winters. Letting in bright sunlight through the roof of your home not only shaves a few dollars off of your heating bill, but can help keep the winter blues away when the days are short. However, a leaking skylight negates these valuable benefits.

Winter Skylight Problems: Preventing Leaks

Skylights can leak for a variety of reasons in the winter. Poorly placed flashing can cause moisture to seep into your home, especially after a snow- or rainstorm. Condensation may also contribute to leaky skylights during the colder months.

Preventing skylight leaks must be addressed during the installation as well as through regular inspection and upkeep throughout the year. Your local roofing contractor can offer a professional skylight inspections to ensure your skylight, roof and ceiling are not damaged during the wet winter weather.

1. Skylight Installation

Prevent leaks by making sure your new skylight is installed properly. Skylights should be mounted slightly above the roof rather than flush with the roof to avoid leakage. The mounting structure is called a curb, and looks like a wooden box. The window panels are placed on top of the curb and are reinforced with underlayment and flashing to protect your roof.

2. Skylight Maintenance

Maintenance is a crucial element of keeping skylights leak-free for years to come. Skylights that are already installed on the roof should be cleared of debris, including ice, snow and stray twigs and leaves that may hamper your home’s drainage system (the gutters). Ice dams that build up on the roof can cause leaking into your home, not only through the skylight, but through siding and loose shingles too.

3. Attic Ventilation

Finally, address leakage stemming from condensation to prevent moisture from coming into your home even during the dry, cold snap of winter. Inadequate ventilation in your attic or uppermost floor of your home combined with normal household duties like running the clothes dryer or shower can create condensation that gets caught in the skylight frame. To prevent this problem, install a ventilation system in your attic or on the roof—or run a dehumidifier to dry the air.

Call Your Roofer For Help

If you are worried about a potential skylight leak, contact LGC Roofing. We are a full service roofing contractor with 30 years of experience and a track record of satisfied customers. We will evaluate your skylight and surrounding shingles, and recommend repairs that will fit your budget and remedy your water problems.

Aside from handling repairs and replacements, our team of roofers can inspect, repair and install gutter systems, windows, doors, and siding to help you keep your home functional and attractive.