Recognizing When Your Skylights Need to Be Replaced to Avoid Damage to Your Roof
If you own a home with skylights, you likely have a fondness for natural light from above. While skylights add plenty of lighting and warmth to your space, depending on the time of year, it’s important to know how to determine when it is time to replace them to prevent major issues. Knowing when it is time to replace your home’s skylights to prevent roof damage is key to ensuring your home’s roof remains as efficient and insulated as possible for many years to come.
Age of Your Home’s Skylights
Depending on when you moved into your home or originally built it, you will need to consider the age of any existing skylights you have installed. In general, most skylights for residential homes will last anywhere between 10 and 20 years in total. If your skylights are older than 10 to 20 years, they may require a complete replacement, especially if they were not properly maintained annually throughout the time they were in place.
Obvious Water or Air Leaks
Air drafts and water leaks or even permanent damage from water are also tell-tale signs that it is likely time to invest in repairs or a complete replacement in the existing skylights in your home. You can often tell if there are issues with water or air leaks regarding your skylights with basic visual observations. Observing your ceilings and surrounding walls located next to or near your installed skylights will indicate if there is an underlying issue, such as cracks, leaks, or openings.
Visual Damage
Monitoring your ceiling, roof, and skylights for visible damage is another way to determine when the time is right to replace the skylights you have in place anywhere in your home. In addition to monitoring for potential water leaks or air drafts, you will also want to check for breaks and cracks in the frame and even in the glass of the skylights themselves. Discoloration or even intense fogging can also be indicators that your skylights require a total replacement.
Considering the age of your skylights, the age of your home’s roof, and any visible damage to your skylights is key when you’re attempting to determine when the time is right for a complete replacement. If you are still unsure of when the time is right to replace existing skylights, turning to professional roofers can help get the job done right while allowing you to rest assured knowing that your roof and its skylights are in the right hands.
